In most of my marketing materials, I mention that I "Specialize in the Vintage and Premium Homes of Lancaster County, PA". I often get asked, "What makes a Vintage Home?". I also get asked "What makes a Premium Home?, but I'll describe that in a subsequent post.
Everyone has a different idea of what a "Vintage Home" should be. In Lancaster County, as in many places, those who have grown up here see the existing home inventory as "old houses". That terminology doesn't carry the perjorative connotations that it may have before the success of the "This Old House" tv series on Public Television stations, and now, more recently, on "Home and Garden TV" channels.
None-the-less, we tend to under appreciate those homes among which we grew up. Whether we think of them as "old houses" or "outdated" or whatever, many Americans recognize the quality and value in our older home inventory. MY definition of "Vintage Homes" is describing those homes that are 50 years old, and older.
As I write this blog entry, it is 2007. That means, according to my definition, any homes built prior to 1957 meet the criteria to be called a Vintage Home. I further like to include in my definition those homes that have some sort of architectural or stylistic element(s) that make the home unique.
These elements might include such things as corbels, knee brackets, barge boards, finials, crests, etc. that add a distinctive look to the home.
From a design standpoint, such elements as turrets, bow windows, gothic arches, tracery, stained glass, chimney pots, unusual roof or gable lines, floor plans or even landscape designs can make a home a Vintage Home, even if it isn't yet 50 years old.
The term is meant to be somewhat vague. It is merely an expression of my love of older homes. I want my clients to know that notwithstanding the problems involved in valuing an older home, there is a Realtor who is willing to look at things beyond the typical "how many bedrooms, how many baths and how many square feet" when determining the value of a Vintage Home.
Vintage Homes also require a different type of marketing than the typical house. Because I specialize in this type of home, I tend to have the buyers for these type of properties. They watch for my ads, check my web site and read my blogs.
Often Vintage Home buyers are willing to wait longer time periods to get "just the right home". Vintage Homes may look uninspiring from the outside and yet have drop-dead gorgeous interiors. Or conversely, they may have lovely exteriors with interiors that have been cut-up or unlivable for numerous reasons, so multiple photos are even more important than with more "predictable" contemporary homes.
Obviously the advertising venues are going to be more specific and differnet for Vintage Homes than for typical newer homes. Old House Journal, The National Preservation Trust Magazine, local Historical Society publications, B & B directories, etc. are places where old house lovers congregate to learn more about their Vintage Home or the type of home they wish for.
In any case, no matter what type of home you have to buy or sell, it is usually best to go to a "specialist" whenever possible. There are those who specialize in first time home buyers, condominium buyer/sellers, loft buyer/sellers, commercial buyer/sellers, etc.
Most Realtors, if they have continued to get educated during their career, are trained in all types of Real Estate, but it is your choice and an expression of your personal style whether you want a generalist or a specialist with whom to work.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment