Happy to find this Forum

[DoorKnob]

We have a contract on a historic home built in 1907. It is in amazing shape. All of the inspections have comeback with good reports, but we are hitting a snag finding an appraiser who specializes in historic properties. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can get a good appraisel and close as planned on April 11th.

The house had a single owner for the past 40 years. She took very good care of it, but you can tell some of the updates were 1970s. I'm looking for information about how the house might have looked originally so that as we make changes, we can be more consistent with the original vision for the house.

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.

[heartwood]

welcome doorknob! I can't begin to put a name to the style of the house in your avatar...I bet others will chime in with their observations...
best of luck with your appraisal!
...jade

[Mick_VT]

welcome to the District doorknob!

[DoorKnob]

Thanks! According to the books, it is called First Bay Tradition. It was designed by somewhat of a "starchitect" who built some famous buildings in California including the Hearst Castle.

The problem is that the city was hard hit by the ressession in 08, but is now being revitalized. There are no comparable houses in the city, so the appraiser used a "historically significant" multiplier that the mortgage company won't accept. Our mortgage broker is going to see if they will accept a commercial appraisal which is apparently more flexable.

If that fails, he said we should go to a bank in that city and see if they will work with the appraiser we have. Hopefully, it will work out, since we want to stay in the house and raise our daughters there and work to improve the community as well as restore some of the house's original features.

I'll see if I can figure out how to add some pictures of the amazing interior.

[DoorKnob]

LM.jpg (40.69 KiB) Viewed 980 times

Diningroom.jpg (43.06 KiB) Viewed 980 times

JM Entry.jpg (37.57 KiB) Viewed 980 times

[Gothichome]

What a unique beauty. Looks far to modern for a 1907 home, but yet here it is. Must have been a show stopper in 1907. Nice interior, once again some unique details like those newel post tops. To my eye I see lots of craftsman influences. Oh, and welcome to The District. And certainly hope the banking gods will come through for you.

[Mick_VT]

Beautiful!

[SkipW]

WOW! Lovely home. Good luck and congrats!

[1850Farmer]

WOW! Beautiful home. I love the floors and all the trim details.

Good luck on the purchase and welcome, I look forward to more pictures when you're the proud new owner

[Sara]

Those pictures make the place look amazing. Very nicely staged and decorated.

Welcome to the forum!