Homes with Unique Histories: Where to Find Them and How to Close on Your Very Own

Homes with Unique Histories: Where to Find Them and How to Close on Your Very Own

While some homebuyers are out to find the perfect turn-key two-story with a picket fence, others are on the hunt for something that sets them apart from the suburban sprawl, something just a little more unique. Ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre, Ruoff believes the perfect property is out there for every hopeful homebuyer, and we are here to help you find and finalize that purchase, however unusual it may be.

Repurposed Properties

From churches to medical offices to golf course clubhouses, people have gotten creative these days when reimagining what home can look like. Former businesses often make for spacious and inventive homes offering large entry ways, ample storage, and plenty of parking. Those in search of something truly extraordinary may seek out a lighthouse, fire station, or even an old train depot.

Make sure to check your area’s zoning laws, though, to ensure these inventive abodes are also approved for residential purposes. Don’t be discouraged if the answer is “no,” either, as variances can sometimes be granted through local planning commissions. The extra effort it takes to find and fix up one of these unconventional options will surely not be wasted as the results can be truly unique. Take a look at this show-stopping Michigan property that served church parishioners years before it was transformed into the stunning personal residence that exists today.

Historical Finds

While the U.S. is still relatively young, we do have plenty of history scattered throughout these 50 states. The East Coast is known for its British colonial past, and the West boasts numerous ghost towns and gold rush hot spots dripping in legend and folklore. There is much to be learned from the remaining landmarks littered throughout the South, as well, and homeowners looking to purchase a piece of history do not need to look very far as America offers interesting tales all around us.

From California to New York, there are sites and stories to behold inside of some of America’s most popular historic residences. For inspiration, consider planning your next road trip around Architectural Digest’s lists 18 of America’s Best Historic Homes to Visit. Along your journey, you may just stumble upon your own sliver of history in need of a good dusting and some fresh tenants. No time to travel? Check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s recommendations on how you can hunt down a home with a unique history from the comfort of your computer.

Like always, Ruoff encourages buyers hoping to pick up a house with a lengthy history to schedule a home inspection. Historic properties sometimes come with hidden issues that can end up costing you big in the end. Insurance companies may even deny coverage due to out-of-date electrical wiring or other quirks associated with an aging structure, so be sure to cover all your bases before sprinting toward home.

Spooky Surprises

Some house hunters double as ghost hunters, electing to settle in what others might consider a rather unsettling location. In fact, Zillow reports in a recent survey that 29% of homebuyers are more likely to purchase a property if it is deemed to have supernatural activity. Other unsuspecting buyers fall in love with a property only to later learn of its mysterious past.

For those wanting full disclosure on any real or imagined skeletons in the closets, you will want to ask good questions of the realtor and seller involved. Some states require disclosures of any non-natural deaths on the premises, while others do not. A quick google search of the address can usually alert you to any recent events that may cause concern. Additionally, anyone who has made public claim that a house is haunted is required to disclose this based on the “Ghostbusters” ruling of New York state.

Might you be brave enough to purchase a haunted house of your own? Check out these top locales known for their connection to the other side and see what spookiness lies just beyond your next front door.

From former businesses to historic landmarks to haunted houses, people across America are imagining their homes in some truly unusual places. Already honed in on the place for you? Ruoff can help you get started on making that unique property your very own!

While some homebuyers are out to find the perfect turn-key two-story with a picket fence, others are on the hunt for something that sets them apart from the suburban sprawl, something just a little more unique. Ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre, Ruoff believes the perfect property is out there for every hopeful homebuyer, and we are here to help you find and finalize that purchase, however unusual it may be.

Repurposed Properties

From churches to medical offices to golf course clubhouses, people have gotten creative these days when reimagining what home can look like. Former businesses often make for spacious and inventive homes offering large entry ways, ample storage, and plenty of parking. Those in search of something truly extraordinary may seek out a lighthouse, fire station, or even an old train depot.

Make sure to check your area’s zoning laws, though, to ensure these inventive abodes are also approved for residential purposes. Don’t be discouraged if the answer is “no,” either, as variances can sometimes be granted through local planning commissions. The extra effort it takes to find and fix up one of these unconventional options will surely not be wasted as the results can be truly unique. Take a look at this show-stopping Michigan property that served church parishioners years before it was transformed into the stunning personal residence that exists today.

Historical Finds

While the U.S. is still relatively young, we do have plenty of history scattered throughout these 50 states. The East Coast is known for its British colonial past, and the West boasts numerous ghost towns and gold rush hot spots dripping in legend and folklore. There is much to be learned from the remaining landmarks littered throughout the South, as well, and homeowners looking to purchase a piece of history do not need to look very far as America offers interesting tales all around us.

From California to New York, there are sites and stories to behold inside of some of America’s most popular historic residences. For inspiration, consider planning your next road trip around Architectural Digest’s lists 18 of America’s Best Historic Homes to Visit. Along your journey, you may just stumble upon your own sliver of history in need of a good dusting and some fresh tenants. No time to travel? Check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s recommendations on how you can hunt down a home with a unique history from the comfort of your computer.

Like always, Ruoff encourages buyers hoping to pick up a house with a lengthy history to schedule a home inspection. Historic properties sometimes come with hidden issues that can end up costing you big in the end. Insurance companies may even deny coverage due to out-of-date electrical wiring or other quirks associated with an aging structure, so be sure to cover all your bases before sprinting toward home.

Spooky Surprises

Some house hunters double as ghost hunters, electing to settle in what others might consider a rather unsettling location. In fact, Zillow reports in a recent survey that 29% of homebuyers are more likely to purchase a property if it is deemed to have supernatural activity. Other unsuspecting buyers fall in love with a property only to later learn of its mysterious past.

For those wanting full disclosure on any real or imagined skeletons in the closets, you will want to ask good questions of the realtor and seller involved. Some states require disclosures of any non-natural deaths on the premises, while others do not. A quick google search of the address can usually alert you to any recent events that may cause concern. Additionally, anyone who has made public claim that a house is haunted is required to disclose this based on the “Ghostbusters” ruling of New York state.

Might you be brave enough to purchase a haunted house of your own? Check out these top locales known for their connection to the other side and see what spookiness lies just beyond your next front door.

From former businesses to historic landmarks to haunted houses, people across America are imagining their homes in some truly unusual places. Already honed in on the place for you? Ruoff can help you get started on making that unique property your very own!