Age is only one way to tell if it’s an Antique home. These homes are typically rectangular in shape and include a large central chimney with one or more fireplaces. Outside there are narrow clapboards for the siding material and a simple trim around doors and windows. Sometimes there are a few small windows (called “lights”) around the main doorway.
The other windows typically have numerous small panes, most often 4×4, 6×6 or 12×12. Practical Yankees usually split them horizontally with the bottom opening to add ventilation in the nice weather. True antiques were fitted with exterior trim whose purpose was to secure the home against Native American raids. Those might include solid secure shutters, solid pine front doors, or large hand-forged hinges and handles.
Over the years, as the family of the homeowner grew, they were fitted with wings, walls and lean-to’s and barns to house their growing family needs. This phenomenon often lead to miss-matched floor heights, weird “railroad-style” hallways and doors/windows to nowhere that were no longer needed as the family blossomed.
Many of these wonderful homes have restored hand-hewn beams with exposed pegs, very wide pine board (the King’s Pine) floors, soapstone sinks, and hand-carved trim or trim produced with water saws. Antique lovers find these details to be absolutely charming and are very fond of them.
These homes appeal to a select group of buyers. Their on-market times are usually longer than many other home styles. Their rate of appreciation is typically less than that of most other homes. This is partially because they are located near the center of towns (very close to main roads – often on double-yellow line streets) and their location on the lot is usually very close to the road.
In closing, antique home lovers are a special breed and when they purchase their home have been known to live there for a very long while.
For a full list of architectural styles click here.
Call today for an evaluation of your Antique home. 978-580-1069 I’ve sold quite a few.
