3 things to consider before purchasing a city home

A City Home is typically defined by three things: location, age, and construction. Usually, it is an urban residence, built prior to the 1940s of masonry construction. City Homes are often attached to neighboring houses and are also known as brownstones, townhouses, or row homes.

In recent years, we have seen city residences make a come-back. They are popular among young professionals, individuals looking to downsize from their family home, or retirees. These individuals are attracted to both the historic aspects of this type of house and the perks of being in a city, including the ability to walk to restaurants, and easy access to entertainment and transportation. Many City Homes have been renovated and updated prior to going on the market, but if you are considering purchasing a residence that has not undergone recent renovations or upgrades, here are some things to consider.

To ensure that your City Home has been properly maintained over the years, consider hiring a licensed inspector who is experienced with historic buildings to perform a thorough inspection and help you spot any potential issues as part of the purchase process. It is also recommended that you have a trusted contractor go through the home with you, prior to purchase, to review major mechanical systems in the house and provide guidance on any needed upgrades and/or replacement of baths, kitchen, windows, roof, etc. Most historic homes are not turn-key so it is important to have an idea of what renovation costs will be, in addition to your purchase price.

Unlike a modern house, a City Home is constructed of materials that are not standard in size, nor can they usually be purchased ‘off-the-shelf.’ Master craftspeople (masons, finish carpenters, plasterers, etc.) are also needed in the event of a partial or total loss, to match/replicate existing finishes. Finding and/or replicating original materials, like hand-made brick, plaster crown molding or heart pine flooring, can be more difficult and expensive due to scarcity or the need for custom manufacturing.

Depending on the neighborhood, or if there is an individual historic designation for the house, there may be restrictions on the renovations and additions you can make to your City Home. Prior to the start of a renovation, architectural review may be required by your city’s preservation committee. The most typical type of restriction, also known as an ‘easement,’ usually limits changes to the front façade of a house. Interior easements are less common, but before purchase, inquire if there are any existing interior or exterior easements.

Contact your insurance agent if you need help finding professionals to help you inspect and assess your potential City Home. You’ll also want to understand what your insurance coverage will pay for if you suffer a loss, since not all policies will provide for upgrades to older homes to bring them up to code.