Types of Historic Homes for Sale in Southeastern Virginia

By Elaine VonCannon, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker, Notary, Team Leader, Property Manager, Award Winning Agent

Virginia has a rich history dating to the Colonial era and also a wide variety of historic homes and properties for sale. It was one of the first places colonized by the British and is also known for Civil War era structures as well as Late 19th and Early 20th Century homes. When it comes to purchasing historical properties, the home buyer has various choices in Virginia. There are rural and urban historic homes for sale across the Commonwealth of Virginia today, from many different eras and in various conditions.

It takes a special type of home owner to purchase and renovate or restore a historic home. Oftentimes, historic home purchasers are so enthusiastic about history they want to preserve part of our American heritage by living in or restoring a historic property. While many are passionate about history, they also seek special amenities such as equestrian facilities or waterfront docks and want to live in unique properties with maximum privacy in a secure, quiet setting.

The Classic Virginia Estate

A classic example of an estate property found in Virginia would date from the late19th Century and be made from brick - in the Colonial style. This style of custom built estate home may still retain many of its original features such as cathedral ceilings and multiple fireplaces. Original details like walnut bannisters and yellow pine floors, brass locks and fittings, chair rails and built in bookcases may still be in place. Many of these scenic, expansive Virginia estate properties are surrounded by fresh water ponds or streams and even offer waterfront access with docks on property. Historic properties may offer hardwood forests, meadows, equestrian facilities and water features as well as multiple outbuildings. Even with these amenities, privacy and 19th Century charm, many historic properties with at least five acres can be purchased for around one million to five million dollars. Compared to single family home pricing in many urban markets such as San Francisco, New York City and Boston, Virginia estates are an affordable acquisition. Those who have the means for this lifestyle - and are prepared to maintain a property of this size - find the extra luxuries extremely satisfying and worth the price.

Renovation/Restoration Budget

Investors in historic homes in Virginia may want to include a renovation (or restoration) budget in their purchase plans. Finding the right historic property is the first step. Renovating or restoring the property can make all the difference in quality of life there. Customizing a historic property for an individual or family lifestyle will be important to making it feel more like a home.

Historic Homes in Richmond and Henrico County Virginia

In downtown Richmond and areas such as Shockoe Slip and the Fan, there are many 1920s ad 1930s Art deco homes to choose from. Since restoration of the historic district began in the 1970s, Shockoe Slip has now become a premiere shopping and dining destination in Virginia. The Fan is in close proximity to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) making it a popular section of Richmond. Many historic estate properties and farmhouses are located just outside of Richmond in Henrico County.

Rural and Urban Historic Homes in Virginia

The Southeastern portion of Virginia, also known as the Tidewater region or Hampton Roads, was the site of original English colonization. Many historic properties have waterfront access and docks because boats were a main form of transportation in Early America.

In rural areas, such as Surry and Charles City, Virginia, buyers will find historic farmhouses and even plantations along the James River and its tributaries. While a search for a historic home in Williamsburg, James and York City Counties will yield many 18th and 19th Century urban properties. Many of Williamsburg's historic properties are owned by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation or the College of William and Mary. But the Foundation and College do not exclusively own all Williamsburg historic properties. The buyer will find numerous historic treasures in Williamsburg and in surrounding counties because Williamsburg was the 18th Century capital of Virginia and attracted many prominent residents, artisans, students and families as well as those charged with governance.

Historic Homes in the Northern Neck of the Chesapeake Bay

In Gloucester and Gloucester Point Virginia and areas north of here, such as Mathews and Gwyn's Island, the seafaring way of life has been a longstanding tradition. These areas are known for historic sea cottages and estate properties built on the York River, Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Many of these historic properties are waterfront, with docks. Today these tranquil areas are known as the Northern Neck of the Chesapeake Bay. The Northern Neck is not highly populated and it is the perfect environment for the waterman, those who love boating - or people who simply enjoy being on or near the water.

Smithfield & Isle of Wight County: Hidden Historic Homes

Across the River from Williamsburg, Virginia, many historic homes can be found in Smithfield and surrounding Isle of Wight County. I once sold an 18th Century cottage in downtown Smithfield to an editor of the Daily Press. This was the oldest home in Smithfield. Like many who purchase historic homes, this particular buyer had a passion for history, and she fell in love with the home, its history, and its location. Outside of Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, there are many historic estates, farmhouses and even plantations.

Whether it's a love of history, or wanting to live a luxurious lifestyle on an estate in Virginia, historic home buyers find a wide variety of choices across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Southeastern part of Virginia has a plentiful amount of historic properties, largely due to its proximity to the coast and coastal rivers as well as being deeply rooted in Colonial history. Learn more about historic homes in Virginia for sale, call Elaine VonCannon at 757-288-4685 or email voncannonrealestate@cox.net. Visit http://www.estatesinvirginia.com for more information about Virginia estates currently for sale.

Historic Homes in Virginia: Options to Consider in Today's Market

By Elaine VonCannon, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker, Notary, Team Leader, Property Manager, Award Winning Agent

It takes a special buyer to purchase a historic home or property, one who intends to give it tender loving care, perhaps after years of neglect. Restoring a historic property or renovating and updating a historic home for a primary residence are the dream of some. These individuals are connected to the past, and want to live a lifestyle that puts them in touch with that remembrance. The cultural and aesthetic legacy historic homes possess, as well as ample acreage and lavish living spaces indoor and out – make these dwellings a status symbol for some, while it's a lifestyle choice for others.

Extra Features of Historic Properties

In Virginia, many historic homes are remnants of times long past, when there were large land grants and plantations. As a result, many of these historic properties are set-up with some unique features such as: smokehouses, basements designed for preservation and storage of food and beverages, springhouses, stables and barns, additional outbuildings and living spaces, and even more.

A sense of nostalgia and a desire to return to Early American roots motivates many who purchase and cherish historic homes and estates, making them more popular than ever. There are many historic homes for sale all over the state of Virginia.

Funding Historic Home Restoration

Some properties are in the National Register of Historic Places program, and owners are eligible for preservation benefits and incentives from the federal government. Others historic homes may be qualified to be in this Register, and need to be nominated and accepted to be recognized as such. Then there are a slew of historic properties that are privately held and preserved – or updated – over time at the expense of owners and their inheritors.

Why Has Interest in Owning Historic Property Risen?

Builders stopped building during the recession, and people who wanted to own a home needed to look at living in a historic home as an option. With historic home owners, the choice is clear: either revive the home to its glory days of the past, or update it. Over the past several decades salvaging fixtures and parts of old homes before they were torn down has been a lucrative business. Some homeowners want to restore their home with period appropriate décor and fixtures and features. For them, finding specialized parts is easier these days, with companies like Salvage Dogs in Roanoke, whose main focus is salvaging parts of historic homes and reselling them to people who want to restore them properly.

Areas in Virginia Where Historic Properties are Clustered

There are many historic homes in Virginia. Some are even found in the National Register of Historic Places. It's common to find a wide selection in the following areas of Southeastern Virginia: West Point, Smithfield, Williamsburg, Richmond, Gloucester and Mathews. A buyer can purchase a historic cottage in Gloucester or Mathews that is on the York River or the Chesapeake Bay. Many of these historic properties come with piers or access to boat launches on property or nearby. Rural or urban choices are available for historic homes. The buyer will find plenty of historic homes in Williamsburg and Richmond and on the corridor in between - Route 5 continuing all the way to Henrico County. West of Richmond there are even more choices for historic homes. Some of these may be working farms or equestrian properties, offering additional sources of income and space for livestock.

For those who love old, historic homes, Virginia is one of the top places in the U.S. to find them. These historic properties may have been designed for other eras, but luxury, privacy, and the desire for spacious living never go out of style.