Historic property rehab has special requirements

Midtown residents are serious about preserving the areas where they live, according to Chuck Wooten, president of the Midtown Neighborhood Association.

Many older Springfield homes are being restored to their original grandeur. As part of that process, many residents seek the guidance of a professional remodeler, according to Erich Weber, chief executive officer of Renovation Professionals and a member of the Home Builders Association's Remodelors Council.

Weber said that typically, when people undertake a makeover project on a home that is 30 to 40 years old, they want to bring it up to current standards and hire the work done.

When they commit to an older, historic property, often the goal is to make it as nearly like the original property as possible while including modern conveniences.

They might hire out for the larger construction work, he said, but do the finish work, including painting and decorating, themselves, Weber said.

Historic property buyers usually have good luck tracing the background on a property, which is a bonus when trying to match original materials. In some cases, Weber said, he has found original carpet patterns still available on homes that are more than 50 years old.

Older homes are usually structurally sound because they were built to last, Weber said, but buyers often need the help of a professional to move walls, replace windows and enclose areas as needed.