A great house came up for sale in our city. The house alone is great but.. U.S. Grant lived in a rental cottage on that lot. The cottage was in close proximity to the area where the early recruits for the civil war trained and Grant got them into line. The cottage US Grant lived in was moved to another area but our city constructed a memorial (in the 1900s) at that site location. The obelisk at the site has suffered tremendous weather damage-- so much that you can't read it.
I love the history of our city and sent an email to the realtor about the lot site of the house she was selling including my blog internet address detailing how important that lot/site was and wouldn't the prosective buyer like to know? The house has subsequently sold. I have never received any response from the realtor. This will not stop me from trying to communicate the historical importance of our neighborhood,
I think it depends... Does the historical property have all kinds of restrictions, do you have requirement to get all kinds of pre-approvals before you do anything to your home, is it in the Federal Historical register, which could have other ramifications.... There are some people that love that historical thing, and don't even mind the rules around it. I think most people would be inconvenienced by the experience since if it's on the Historical register, there is alot of red tape. It sounds like the house isn't historical, but maybe just a statue somewhere on the property?? Is it protected, or is it something that an owner could decide to take out? I wasn't sure when I read the Post. I only know people that have bought houses that were protected (and they loved them - loved the protecting the history aspect of it - but the permit processes were quite painful), but I've never known anyone that had something important in their yard..... and don't know if people would be cutting across the yard to look at it (what would the rules be around that, I wonder..)
It sounds like the house isn't historical, but maybe just a statue somewhere on the property?? Is it protected, or is it something that an owner could decide to take out? I wasn't sure when I read the Post.
I wasn't very clear in my post. The property is not protected as an historic property. The small obelisk is crumbeling and nothing that states it's significance is left. I am actually surprised it is still there (and the removal would be no big deal).It looks like a yard ornament. The history of the site is not generally known and I came across it while researching the history of our neighborhood for a blog I write. I do get comments from readers that say "I wish I had known the history when that house was for sale" on other houses I have written about. I have not connection with real estate except I love to promote the history of our neighborhood.
I was just wondering if local history or lore helps sell a house?
I was just wondering if local history or lore helps sell a house?
I think the answer is "No" but it might be a nice foot-note for those who care. Unfortunately, not many individuals do care about such matters these days; very sad but true.
In fact, it seems that "history" to many is simply something that happened before they were born - dated, old, irrelevant, unimportant and boring. So, thinking that historical provenance might increase value is simply wishful thinking.
Sorry but true. Myself, I love history but doubt very much that it means anything to most other individuals in today's world.
Ahhhhhh... Well, I think it would be nice to let the new owners know what you know - that would be cool. Some people don't want to know too much about history because they get freaked out that something violent might have happened there, but what you have shared would be interesting.. I don't think it would help sell a house - unless it was from a movie set!!!
