An Old House Isn't Always a Historic One

Old and historic are not the same thing.

Plenty of houses have decades on them. What gives a home real historical and architectural significance is that it was built during a bygone era, using beautiful materials, with craftsmanship you rarely see anymore. That’s the difference, and it’s why one of the first questions I ask about any older house is the condition of those original elements.

Here in Augusta, this is one of my favorite topics, and there’s more to know than most buyers expect.

Two very different kinds of historic. A home can be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which the National Park Service administers under the Department of the Interior. That’s an application process the owner goes through, and it’s a real distinction.

But you might also simply own a home in a historic neighborhood, which is a separate thing entirely. You could even own the newest house on the block. Maybe there was a fire years ago, the original came down, and yours went up in its place, surrounded by houses far older than it. You’d still want to understand the area’s guidelines.

Not every historic neighborhood works the same way. Forest Hills is a beautiful, historic neighborhood with brick streets and 1920s homes, but it doesn’t have as many guidelines as some other neighborhoods do. I live in Summerville, and Summerville does have historic preservation guidelines. I keep copies of the book, and I’m happy to go through it with you. None of this should make you hesitate about buying in a historic neighborhood. It’s just something you should know going in.

What the guidelines look like in practice. I just sold a house around the corner from me, and the family wants to fence the front yard. In Summerville, that means an application. They go online, print it, fill it out, and submit it about two weeks before the historic preservation commission meets. The commission reviews it and makes a decision. If it’s a bigger project, it may go further up.

My advice to them was straightforward. Take a photo of the fence you want, or get one from the manufacturer or your builder, and show how it compares to the neighbors. There’s precedent right there, other fences across the way. The guidelines talk about materials and design being consistent with the neighborhood, and that makes sense. That consistency is exactly what makes this area so beautiful.

Why buyers fall in love with these homes. In Augusta, the historic neighborhoods are walkable, close to churches, restaurants, and schools. It’s a lovely way of life, and the neighborhood itself is a big draw.

Then there’s the house. The ceiling heights. The quality of the craftsmanship. The flooring. The windows. Many of these homes still have the original hand-blown glass, and I always say there’s something wonderful about looking at life through the wavy glass. When people restore these houses, they often go to great lengths to keep them.

If you love culture and art and want to be near the Summerville campus, with good restaurants and plenty to do, I really think you should consider owning a historic home. It’s not something to put off.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call me. I’m not a bot, and I’m not an algorithm. I’m right here, and I’ll give you the full story on living in a historic home. Call me at (706) 481-3800, email me at annmarie@annmariemcmanus.com, or visit annmariemcmanus.com.