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Carol D. Calamari a full-time Realtor agent with ERA Justin Realty and a consistent ERA Leadership Circle achiever, reviews a designation which makes her familiar with architecture that spans more than three centuries of history. Her three quarters of 2014 listing and sales production will certify her for several ERA awards by year-end.
ERA Justin’s Carol D. Calamari Offers The Joys of Historic Homes
Most of us appreciate the aesthetic value of historic homes, and have even been known to fall in love with them from time to time.
Carol D. Calamari of ERA Justin Realty Co. has partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to increase her educational outreach centering on the preservation of historic properties. Having this designation makes her familiar with architecture that spans more than three centuries of history, highlighting both high-style and vernacular buildings ranging from stately Federal mansions and handsome Italianate rowhouses to modest Queen Anne cottages and mail-order bungalows.
Understanding the work of authentic geniuses such as Henry Hobson Richardson, offbeat eccentrics such as Orson Squire Howler and Italian architects such as Andrea Palladio, Carol focused on the Old World roots of American design. This knowledge helps her to understand how the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe are reflected in a “gingerbread” house in Maine, how Thomas Jefferson’s love affairwith a Roman temple helped spark a national mania for Greek buildings and how the flat Midwestern landscape shaped Frank Lloyd Wright’s bold Prairie Style. This in-depth knowledge gives Carol the ability to characterize Old World features of a home that properly positions a historic home in today’s marketplace.
Carol stated, “Real estate professionals like to offer as many kinds of properties to prospective customers as there are different personalities of buyers. And few real estate properties have more personality than a historic home. By the standards of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, any structure at least 50 years old may qualify for historic-landmark status. This is determined by a home or other building’s demonstration of particularly significant architectural features or now-rare styles, or its role in important past activities or events such as famous inventions, once-pivotal industries, presidential birthplaces or visits, etc.”
She continued, “Such homes, although wonderful, present challenges. The older the house, the more likely certain asbestos and lead paint will be present that aren’t in newer homes; these will have to be dealt with. And restoring the historic character to a possibly-neglected house can be a costly and time-consuming effort.
But there’s much to be said for the personal satisfaction of remaking a house by your own effort, and restoring an example of America’s past that can help keep us mindful and proud of our heritage. Also, where there are historic homes there are likely to be whole historic neighborhoods, which preserve and offer to the homebuyer just the kind of old-fashioned community qualities that today’s home-seekers are craving and today’s developers are trying to re-create.
If your home is on or considered eligible for local, state or national registers of historic places, various rules will be in effect for building materials, renovations, and uses of the structure which most fit the historical period in which it was built. Although these requirements can be an inconvenience, many states offer tax and other incentives for owning and rehabilitating historic homes found to meet historic-preservation officials’ criteria. And owners of homes on government registers of historic places still have broad latitude in selling, altering and using their property.
Before buying such a home, you’ll want to check into several factors to determine whether the investment you’re making in history is the right one for you: What laws apply to local historic buildings and districts, how much restoration does the house require, and what contractors are available who are knowledgeable about handling historic homes are a few of the major questions you’ll want answered before making a commitment.”
Carol is a qualified real estate professional who can help guide you through this rewarding but complicated area. She has a special edge through her long standing past association with the National Trust for Historic Preservation: She was certified in recognizing and appreciating the diverse styles of historic homes, and understanding the challenges faced and advantages available to customers wishing to buy and sell such properties.
She and all of the ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor agents can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue. By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000’s of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com andwww.ERAJustinRealty.com
