Always wanted to live in one of those beautiful historic homes?
April 16, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Old House Real Estate
Listings of Old Houses for sale in and around Beloit’s historic districts.
Old house living is not for everyone. I’ll admit to my prejudice, I love old houses and the sense of community frequently found in old neighborhoods. Taking a job within commuting distance it was the vintage housing stock and neighborhood that was a big part of why I moved to Beloit. Personally, I’m not a big fan of Generica and those influences where sameness crowds out unique character among communities, regions etc. They suit their purpose and have their benefits but planned development neighborhoods are just not where I’d ever choose to live.
For the larger portion of the home buying public that prefers new or more contemporary housing there are many more options. For those who appreciate what fine old homes and neighborhoods provide, finding distinctive old homes that still retain their original character within a neighborhood that supports and encourages this is much more difficult to find. If you’re moving into the Beloit or broader stateline area, or even if you’re already in the area but looking to move there are some great historic or vintage homes here. Still other homes hold great potential and are simply waiting for an owner with the vision and appreciation to bring them back to life. So come join us. We’re looking for some new neighbors who are old house lovers like ourselves to join our neighborhood.
One of the benefits to living in older neighborhoods is their proximity to those things you and your family want or need to do. Old neighborhoods are pedestrian neighborhoods and this is a good thing in many, perhaps not-so-obvious ways. It’s a characteristic removed from contemporary auto-centric planned developments.
Another wonderful thing is that it’s not uncommon for these “historic homes” to come with stories of their own. Interesting stories are tied to the home, it’s residents, builders or local events. Such is the case with many of the homes below. They’ve led interesting lives.
Home owners and Realtors:
- Federal Tax Credits: Homes that are within registered historic districts or individually listed are eligible for the “Historic Home Owner’s Tax Credit“. Homes that are not within an historic district may be eligible for individual listing. To apply for these significant tax benefit programs you may contact Beloit Neighborhood Planning or the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Offices (who administer this program).
- Property Values: Homes within registered historic districts typically maintain and increase their property values at a faster rate then surrounding neighborhoods. While no study has been commissioned for Beloit, Rockford IL (30 min. away) just completed one for their four historic districts 5 mo. ago in Dec. of 09′. Read this report here – The Impact of Historic District Designation on Property Values. This report is consistent with the experience of historic districts across the country.
- The Old House Marketplace: In fact there is a growing market for quality vintage and historic homes throughout the country. These include not only those that have been lovingly maintained or sensitively restored but also those that still have enough original fabric to be brought back to life – meaning… they’ve not been gutted or remuddled too extensively. See below.
Your online home for historic real estate
Find historic homes for sale, real estate agents who specialize in historic houses for sale, and historic preservation resources.
.And it’s a market of supply and demand. Fewer and fewer homes are maintained in an architecturally sensitive manor or still retain enough original fabric to be brought back to their prior splendor.
Historic Property for Sale Directory at PreservationDirectory.com!
Our directory of historic homes, buildings and other historic structures for sale has been connecting those seeking their “historic dream house” with a wide selection of truly amazing historic homes from all over North America since 1999.
Listings of Old Houses for sale in and around Beloit’s historic districts.
Come out and support the BMHS Jazz Band
They’re in the final stretch and working hard to raise the money for their Essentially Ellington competition won trip to New York. Come on out and let’s support their effort.
Tomorrow Friday, Concert & Swing Dance!
BMHS cafetieria: 7-9 p.m. Dance, $5 for students, $7 for adults. Dance lessons will be held from 6-7 p.m.
Saturday April 25th, Concert at La Casa Grande: 8-10 p.m. (618 4th Street) Free admission but donations appreciated.
Sunday May 3rd., Send-off concert with the Beloit College Concert Band: 7:00 p.m. Eaton Chapel
You can track their fundraising progress here.
The Beloit N P A Events Calendar
See what’s going on in the Historic District or right next door and within walking distance.
The Beloit NPA Calendar of Events
Just some of the things available to neighbors living in and around Beloit’s Historic District that are within walking distance.
- - Beloit College
- - Beloit International Film Festival
- - Downtown (shops, dining, live music etc.)
- - Riverfest
- - Friends of Riverfront
- Music at Harry’s Place
- Dancing at Harry’s Place
- Movies in the Park
- Plein Aire
- - Beloit – Janesville Symphony
- - Beloit Fine Arts Incubator
- - Kids Fun and Drama – Music & Acting for kids
- - City Parades
- - Society for Learning Unlimited – SLU
- - Museums
- Logan Museum
- Wright Museum
- - Municipal Building & city services
924 East Grand Ave. Beloit WI 53511
April 15, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Old House Real Estate
A home with a lot of interesting vintage home character. Walking distance to down town, across the street from Mechanics Green, an arboretum of sorts with a range of specimen trees. Situated among some other very nice historic homes surrounding the park. Immediate neighborhood intact without infill housing. We’ve not been inside since the remodeling. From the outside it looks very interesting and to be in very good condition. Certainly worth a look.
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- Realtor listing here.
- This home is not within any of the current historic districts.
- Walkability Score: 92 out of 100, “Walkers Paradise”.
629 Milwaukee Road, Beloit WI 53511
April 15, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Old House Real Estate
Ana and I had a chance to go through this house at a recent open house. They’ve really done a wonderful job with this house. All new inside. Move in ready. Very nice.
- - Realtor’s listing here.
- - This home is not within any of the current historic districts.
- - Walkability Score: 69 out of 100, “Somewhat Walkable”.
841 Milwaukee Road, Beloit WI 53511
April 15, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Old House Real Estate
We’ve not been inside this house but there’s a great virtual tour of this outstanding vintage home
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- - Realtor’s Listing Here. A great virtual tour here.
- - This home is not within any of the current historic districts.
- - Walkability Score: 54 out of 100, “Somewhat Walkable”.
426 Wisconsin Ave. Beloit WI 53511
April 15, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Old House Real Estate
Another of the Beloit Initiative homes. We attended an open house here too. A very nice vintage home that has been completely redone inside and out including all new mechanicals while maintaining much of the vintage character of the home. You should see this house, they’ve really done a wonderful job.
- - Realtor’s listing here. A great virtual tour of this vintage beloit home here.
- - This home is not within any of the current historic districts.
- - Walkability Score: 83 out of 100, “Very Walkable”.
719 Bushnell St., Beloit WI 53511
April 15, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Old House Real Estate
Ana and I went through this house too at an open house. Great vintage character and right across the street from the historic Horace White Park with a wonderful, sunny southern exposure.
- - Realtor’s listing here. A great virtual tour of this historic Beloit home here.
- - Within the College Park Historic District. Eligible for Historic Home Owner’s Tax Cridit.
- - Walkability Score: 94 out of 100, “Walker’s Paradise”.
822 Park Avenue, Beloit WI 53511
April 15, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Old House Real Estate
Just wanted to get a quick note out there… One of the things Ana and I enjoy is attending the realtor Open Houses for interesting old houses or “vintage homes” in and around the historic districts. Last weekend we were finally able to get inside the house for sale at 822 Park Ave.
This… is a very cool house.
It’s disappointing when we walk into an otherwise distinctive old house to find it’s been gutted and denuded of it’s character and reduced to new construction ordinary-ness. That is absolutely not the case here. While this house like any old house is going to need some love and attention to bring it up to speed this house is fully intact. There’s been virtually no remuddling done to this home and it’s never been duplexed. This was a very elegant and high style house when built and it is still very evident. You’re also walking distance to the college and downtown and all these have to offer. And you’ll be in the historic district and therefore eligible for Historic Home Owner’s Tax Credit. If you’re thinking of moving into the region and have an appreciation for quality old houses you should check this one out. It’s a nice one.
- - Realtor’s listing here.
- - Within the College Park Historic District. Eligible for Historic Home Owner’s Tax Cridit.
- - Walkability score: 80 out of 100. “Very Walkable”
The worst house on the block? Not for long.
April 15, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Neighborhood Discussion
Among my favorite things to see in historic neighborhoods undergoing renewal are work trucks, workmen, scaffolding and dumpsters. Its what I look for. And they’re all here at 640 Park.
A lot of people had given up on this once grand home. It’s been the worst house on this block for a long time and there were those who could only see one solution, demolition. Worst house on the block? Not for long. I’m lovin’ seeing it being worked on. It’s good for the entire neighborhood.
