"OLD TIME FIRST TIME" HOMES

So....After checking out today's MSN News' compilation of the "Best Old Houses Neighborhoods for First Time Home Buyers" around the country;(there are 26 that they have chosen), I must say I was left a little unimpressed. Well....not really unimpressed...probably more like, challenged and a little defensive of our fabulous collection of historic beauties here in Tacoma. Why were WE not chosen! Humph. Our little pocket neighborhoods around here are chock full of personality and character, and not all are huge, costly "Monster Mansions." We really do have many very reasonably priced "Old Time First Time" Homes.

The North Slope has some of the most adorable Foursquares, quaint craftsman bungalows and small Shot GunVictorian sweeties around these parts. Up around the Proctor District are blocks full of smaller bungalows and traditional "Leave it to Beaver" classics. Heck! Our East Side has it's own collection of treasures being discovered and resucitated. I'm telling you...wise buyers are seeing the value in these homes as their construction is solid and their historic character is valuable.

I've seen clear beams and wood in these old homes that can no longer be found as they are not milling old growth trees like that anymore. I've seen staining and finishing techniques such as a Kerosene and Turpentine I've seen matching hardware in these homes, worth a thousands of dollars! Most people wouldn't even notice whether hardware matched everywhere in the house but, when dealing with an historic home, it matters! It adds value. Old postage stamp tile designs in baths and entryways that are works of art all on their own! And if you are REALLY in love with these historic dwellings you marvel at the angled, coffered and box beam ceilings. Let me go on....beautiful built in's, bevelled, stained, leaded glass, ornate wainscot, window seats, plate and picture rails, pass through kitchen doors, magnificent stair ballasts, transoms, laundry shoots....

Geez! Snap out of it Martha! I just REALLY love these old houses! I try to explore the historic districts of cities that I travel to whenever possible. I'll be sure to share with you when I do.

You can always feel free to contact me if you have questions about or are looking for an historic home. Well...honestly...ANY home. I DO sell all kinds of homes but, we ALL know where my heart lies;-)

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=28239516&gt1=35006

2416 NORTH ALDER STREET

DOES THIS HOUSE LOOK FAMILIAR? I have featured this home before. There have been some changes since I last talked about it though.

THIS IS A TRUE VICTORIAN!!!! Does it need some work? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely! This home is 1893 and the flow and feel is that of a true Victorian. If you're interested in hearing my opinion regarding the changes I think should be made....just give me a call. I know this house inside and out! I even know the history of the house and the story of the Bradbury and Bradbury wallpaper. The wood floors have all been refinished (that means that the hideous dark green carpet that was all through the upstairs and on the stairs is GONE). The living room and dining room have been redone. One of the bedrooms upstairs is a great illustration of what the house could look like with paint on the walls. IT'S JUST PAPER FOLKS!! IT COMES OFF! The good news is....there is only one layer of paper on any of the walls in the house.

It's adorable! The yard is cute too AND it has a two car garage with extra storage space. Just had brand new garage doors put on:-)

You really need to see this house. Call me for a tour!

THE "GREY MANSION"/IS IT INVISIBLE?

What's up with the "Grey Mansion?"

Am I the only one that see's it for it's incredible historic contribution to Tacoma? Does no one else recognize it's incredible architecture? Is nobody else intriqued with the fact that it was the Music Professor's home when the Seminary was Whitworth College? Or that it was built as a replica of Henery Wadsworth Longfellow's Cambridge home? Come on People!! This place should be GONE! The list price is $789,000, but the seller will look at anything! I mean where else can you get over 4000 square feet of view property for $196 a square foot. That doesn't include the historic value and the potential for this home to be one of Tacoma's most prominent historic structures. After all....it was, back in the day.

COME ON PEOPLE!!!! OPEN YOUR EYES!!!

TWO NORTH SLOPE RESTORATIONS YOU CAN'T MISS!!

Let's talk for a moment about a couple of new contracting companies that have come on the scene in Tacoma just recently. I have two stories to tell to describe the quality of work that these contractors do. The first story is called "VIOLA!"

That's the word that I think of when I see the before and after pictures of the property at 516 N "J" Street

http://marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=18771353.

The eyesore of the neighborhood get's a make-over by "Ovation Properties" and the neighbors are so excited about it that they even bring bottled water and occasional cookies over to the crew on the job. What a gorgeous home that dilapidated dump turned out to be after the incredible expertise and workmanship of the OP crew. Their two part motto of "Fair Bids" and "On Time" have proven to serve them well. Not to mention that their finished products are incredible!

Well...are you ready for the ugly duckling story? This is yet another account of an old historic WRECK of a house (the ugly duckling) in our historic district, that someone (namely Dave and Josie) fell in love with and totally and miraculously transformed in to a "Beautiful Swan." for our North Slope Dave, Josie and their son, Dylan, are living in the home instead of just flipping it because guess what?... That makes us neighbors! Doubly (is that a word?) lucky is the fact that Dave has decided to do this type of work for a living! That would be Sound Construction. He's already working on another North Slope project.

You probably know the house; it sits on the corner of 5th and "I" Street. It spent many years crumbling and cowering under the overgrowth of the bushes and trees that surrounded it, and the porch columns supporting the second floor had begun to give way creating injury to everything above them.

Back in the day this home had been grand, I'm sure, but when Dave & Josie got hold of it...well...I'm certain that it had never been so grand as it is now, and all in the name of historic preservation. Bravo Sound Construction!

So check out this before and after slide show of the "Ugly Duckling" house. It's amazing!

Link to Sound Construction I Street Project

FINALLY!

FINALLY! Is all I can think of to say about this amazing Historic Tudor on "I" Street. Built in 1903 for A.J. Rhodes by the great architect, Ambrose Russell, this poor house has basically been treated like an abandon child who's been bounced from foster home to foster home. Since it's initial sale, a little over a year ago, to an investor who's intention was to flip it and make some money, it has become so dishevelled and abused that the original owners find it hard to drive by it.

Let me tell you about the original owners. We'll call them C and M. C and M left their home a little over a year ago after living there for a jillion years. They are an elderly couple who were fastidious about the maintenance and upkeep of the place. M grew up in that house; it was her childhood home, so you can only imagine how much it meant to her. The young couple with baby that came to purchase the home, said they wanted to raise their kids there and that they loved it. C and M couldn't have been happier that a family would be living in the home. Ha! Mr. Buyer had only one intention and that was to flip it. Apparently his other finished flippers, did not sell, the market took a dive and his other properties went in to bankruptcy, and no longer had the financial potential to turn this house. So...after 6 months, back on the market it went. Problem was, he was trying to get $200,000 more for it than he had paid. WHAT THE MONKEY!!!

Basically, he couldn't sell it; it went in to foreclosure, went to auction and is bank owned now.

WELL NOT FOR LONG! I just sold it to a wonderful family with 3 little girls, who love the house and only want to make cosmetic changes. They are so excited about it that they can hardly stand themselves! I am so excited because this home is one of our most distinctive historic homes, and it deserves some love and affection. Let's hear it for TLC!

REPLICA OF LONGFELLOW'S CAMBRIDGE HOUSE!

THIS IS AN AMAZING HOME! In 1908 it was built as a replica of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Cambridge house in Massachusetts.

http://marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=18921281

At the time, it was built as the home of the president of the music department at Whitworth College, which is now the Baptist Seminary. It's such a majestic home and it sits on one of the highest point of the Seminary District.

One of the coolest things about this house is the view. From the two bedrooms on the second floor you have great views o the sound and vashon. From the third floor windows...well...OMG! You can see all the way to Seattle from there, and guess what? If you were to take out the middledormer (that would not really change the look of the house that much) and put in french doors with windows on each side where the inside wall is. Create a balcony between the two end dormers and match the historic railing that exists on the second floor. You would then have a wall of windows that would open up an incredible, expansive view! At that point you could so easily create a huge master suite in the third floor with a large master bath and walk in closet. The plumbing is right in the right spot. I can imagine a beautiful clawfoot or soaking tub with right below that huge webbed window (check it out above). If you haven't seen this house, uh...I really think you're missing out.

If you love Tacoma's history....why not live in it? I do, and I love it!