what do you think?

[Ribnitz]

My husband and I are in the market for a new old house. We have found this house:

http://131hamptonroad.com

We are looking for something that needs mostly cosmetic work, and this house definietly needs a lot of it! But I want something that retains all its original character and hasn't been remudled over the years. I guess my question is what parts of the house are obviously not original, and what parts are? Like for instance, the wood surround around the fireplace...originally like that? The columns going into the dining room? The one bedroom with all the paneling? Not original, right? The carport? Original? We haven't actually been inside the house but snooped around it quite a bit. I personally think it's way overpriced. Anyway just wanted to see what everyone here thought. Thanks!

[downtowndahlgren]

If the 1920 build date is accurate, it seems to me that the only really jarring newer elements are the kitchen and all of the floor coverings, wallpaper, etc. BTW, that's a porte cochere, rather than a carport, and should be original too. I don't think the price seems that high for that size house, especially in NY, but those property taxes would just kill me!

[Josiecat]

Very pretty home.

[wletson]

I love it! Considering here, for that price, a person might be able to buy a yucky, 1980's townhouse.

Like you were saying, the majority of what appears to need done is cosmetic.

[PowerMuffin]

That home has a LOT of nice features. I would snap that up in a minute. The kitchen is obviously newer, but the space is nice. Let us know if you end up buying it.
Diane

[Don M]

The paneled room may not be original as it looks like they mase the library out of two room although they did a very nice job; I love libraries in homes! I agree with the rest; mostly all original just needs cosmetics; I think the price is reasonable although the taxes are high!

[Eden]

She's a beauty! prices are very affordable in most of Upstate, NY but the in-town homes do have ridiculous tax rates. I have a 10 acre farm about 2 miles from town, and an hour or so south of Syracuse, my taxes are 2900. It's not a working farm with reduced rates either.

This one you are looking at is very nice on the outside too. I've been invited into homes in town and am always surprised how beautiful they are inside compared to outside, it's unbelievable. I'm always very surprised. It may be the expense of painting the outside every so many years - very few have vinyl siding, most have their original clap boards and are ornately embellished.

[mross_pitt]

I just saw the price and the entrance hall and that was enough to say it looks like a good deal.

[Ribnitz]

Syracuse has exceptionally cheap homes and exceptionally high property taxes. Believe it or not, $5,000 is pretty reasonable. We pay about $4,000/year now on a much smaller home. Based on comparables in the neighborhood and city I would expect a house like that to sell for around $140-150,000. Thanks for your thoughts about the house. We are not seriously considering it now but might if the price comes down.

[Don M]

I grew up in Fayetteville & Manlius; my Dad was treasurer of Dey Brothers Department Stores in the 1950s.