Beautiful old house, Lynchburg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you build a house like this today? Like fully reproduce the interior finish?

Not short of billionaire funds. The woodwork is just not to be had. If you can find folks with those carpentry skills, it is unlikely you will find wood of the same quality.

It looks like they are working on the roof. New buyers often tear off the slate, but if you maintain it, it’s amazing. It doesn’t break down.

The windows and inside light are breathtaking.

Probably expensive to heat, but the feeling of living in a house with this ceiling height and light (those green and blue walls can be changed) is certainly feel good.

It's steam heat. Original. I grew up in a house that old with radiator heat. It actually heats well and isn't as drying as forced hot air. But given teh size of the house, it's probably cold in winter. Maybe not since this is VA and not New England cold.

I also think that a hundred years ago there probably wasn't the expectation that you ought to be 150% comfortable in your house temperature at all times. When you are cold indoors, you put on a sweater and that is your strategy to fight the cold, not cranking up the heat. If you're hot, close the shutters and start a ceiling fan.

[Anonymous]

If you like that one, this one will blow your mind.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3021-Rivermont-Ave-Lynchburg-VA-24503/79159914_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's more info on the house:

https://mapviewer.lynchburgva.gov/ParcelViewer/


Sales history, tax, owners, etc.

It's a shame the current owners don't seem to be maintaining the house too well--but then again no idea what it looked like when they purchased. Might be a money pit. It's a large house, and it is showing a lot of age, needs quite a bit of maintenance work and it will be hard to do that with the frescos etc.

What makes you say that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you build a house like this today? Like fully reproduce the interior finish?

Not short of billionaire funds. The woodwork is just not to be had. If you can find folks with those carpentry skills, it is unlikely you will find wood of the same quality.

It looks like they are working on the roof. New buyers often tear off the slate, but if you maintain it, it’s amazing. It doesn’t break down.

The windows and inside light are breathtaking.

Probably expensive to heat, but the feeling of living in a house with this ceiling height and light (those green and blue walls can be changed) is certainly feel good.

It's steam heat. Original. I grew up in a house that old with radiator heat. It actually heats well and isn't as drying as forced hot air. But given teh size of the house, it's probably cold in winter. Maybe not since this is VA and not New England cold.

I also think that a hundred years ago there probably wasn't the expectation that you ought to be 150% comfortable in your house temperature at all times. When you are cold indoors, you put on a sweater and that is your strategy to fight the cold, not cranking up the heat. If you're hot, close the shutters and start a ceiling fan.

For the record, I'm not 100, just half of that.

But yes, I agree even now. Cold? Add a layer, don't alway just crank up the heat. Dress for the weather outside and adjust accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so inexpensive?

Money pit

Agree.

Would require a lot of time & money to maintain this home and property. Too much responsibility for a working couple/family and too big for a retired couple who would have the time to take care of this attractive home.

In my view, I would not get involved even if the price was reduced by 20% UNLESS capable of handling the time,money, and stress of maintaining and constantly updating this home. Also, utility costs are likely to be outrageous (heating & cooling).

Decades ago, I witnessed several similar homes, but not as old, which were donated to the local college because buyers did not want to deal with the huge utility bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's more info on the house:

https://mapviewer.lynchburgva.gov/ParcelViewer/


Sales history, tax, owners, etc.

It's a shame the current owners don't seem to be maintaining the house too well--but then again no idea what it looked like when they purchased. Might be a money pit. It's a large house, and it is showing a lot of age, needs quite a bit of maintenance work and it will be hard to do that with the frescos etc.

What makes you say that?

The radiators are chipped, the wood floors have massive stains in multiple locations, the paint on the exterior is chipping and peeling in many places, cracks and damp stains on the walls.

They might have done a lot of work (electrical or HVAC) but we can't see that in the photo. They haven't had the house that long, so I'm guessing it's all become too much for them. Without A/C, the humid Virginia summers are also going to take a toll on the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so inexpensive?

Money pit

Agree.

Would require a lot of time & money to maintain this home and property. Too much responsibility for a working couple/family and too big for a retired couple who would have the time to take care of this attractive home.

In my view, I would not get involved even if the price was reduced by 20% UNLESS capable of handling the time,money, and stress of maintaining and constantly updating this home. Also, utility costs are likely to be outrageous (heating & cooling).

Decades ago, I witnessed several similar homes, but not as old, which were donated to the local college because buyers did not want to deal with the huge utility bills.

You won't have to worry about this, because there isn't any.

[Anonymous]

Has the wiring & plumbing been updated in the last 30 years ? Big issue due to lead pipes,leaky pipes, dangerous knob & tube wiring (fire hazard), etc.

At half price ($300,000), I might be a buyer, however, I would expect to invest at least another $300,000 during the first year to repair and update the home. Could require even a larger investment, but would be wise to hire a knowledgeable home inspector to give a very detailed report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lynchburg, please rename yourself

It was named after John Lynch from 1750. grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you like that one, this one will blow your mind.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3021-Rivermont-Ave-Lynchburg-VA-24503/79159914_zpid/

That's a lot bland greige on every wall. They certainly made a nice profit from it though.
https://mapviewer.lynchburgva.gov/ParcelViewer/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so inexpensive?

Money pit

Agree.

Would require a lot of time & money to maintain this home and property. Too much responsibility for a working couple/family and too big for a retired couple who would have the time to take care of this attractive home.

In my view, I would not get involved even if the price was reduced by 20% UNLESS capable of handling the time,money, and stress of maintaining and constantly updating this home. Also, utility costs are likely to be outrageous (heating & cooling).

Decades ago, I witnessed several similar homes, but not as old, which were donated to the local college because buyers did not want to deal with the huge utility bills.

You won't have to worry about this, because there isn't any.

Disagree as lack of a cooling system makes the home even less desirable. Most will want to add some type of cooling units even if just window air conditioners and/or ductless cooling units. The electricity costs will be outrageous due to the poor efficiency of cooling this beautiful money-pit monster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so inexpensive?

Money pit

Agree.

Would require a lot of time & money to maintain this home and property. Too much responsibility for a working couple/family and too big for a retired couple who would have the time to take care of this attractive home.

In my view, I would not get involved even if the price was reduced by 20% UNLESS capable of handling the time,money, and stress of maintaining and constantly updating this home. Also, utility costs are likely to be outrageous (heating & cooling).

Decades ago, I witnessed several similar homes, but not as old, which were donated to the local college because buyers did not want to deal with the huge utility bills.

You won't have to worry about this, because there isn't any.

Disagree as lack of a cooling system makes the home even less desirable. Most will want to add some type of cooling units even if just window air conditioners and/or ductless cooling units. The electricity costs will be outrageous due to the poor efficiency of cooling this beautiful money-pit monster.

Perhaps one can use this as a fall/winter/spring house. Decamp elsewhere for the summer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so inexpensive?

Money pit

Agree.

Would require a lot of time & money to maintain this home and property. Too much responsibility for a working couple/family and too big for a retired couple who would have the time to take care of this attractive home.

In my view, I would not get involved even if the price was reduced by 20% UNLESS capable of handling the time,money, and stress of maintaining and constantly updating this home. Also, utility costs are likely to be outrageous (heating & cooling).

Decades ago, I witnessed several similar homes, but not as old, which were donated to the local college because buyers did not want to deal with the huge utility bills.

You won't have to worry about this, because there isn't any.

Disagree as lack of a cooling system makes the home even less desirable. Most will want to add some type of cooling units even if just window air conditioners and/or ductless cooling units. The electricity costs will be outrageous due to the poor efficiency of cooling this beautiful money-pit monster.

There are window units in the photos. If you live in this house, you are likely only cooling your bedrooms. Pretty impractical to do the whole house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you build a house like this today? Like fully reproduce the interior finish?

Not short of billionaire funds. The woodwork is just not to be had. If you can find folks with those carpentry skills, it is unlikely you will find wood of the same quality.

It looks like they are working on the roof. New buyers often tear off the slate, but if you maintain it, it’s amazing. It doesn’t break down.

The windows and inside light are breathtaking.

Probably expensive to heat, but the feeling of living in a house with this ceiling height and light (those green and blue walls can be changed) is certainly feel good.

It's steam heat. Original. I grew up in a house that old with radiator heat. It actually heats well and isn't as drying as forced hot air. But given teh size of the house, it's probably cold in winter. Maybe not since this is VA and not New England cold.

I also think that a hundred years ago there probably wasn't the expectation that you ought to be 150% comfortable in your house temperature at all times. When you are cold indoors, you put on a sweater and that is your strategy to fight the cold, not cranking up the heat. If you're hot, close the shutters and start a ceiling fan.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The period details in that home are amazing. I hope whoever buys it will restore it with the care it deserves.

It’s hard to say from online photos but it doesn’t look to need restoration. Maybe redecorate and fix the landscaping but the house looks fine on the inside. Maybe reconfigure the kitchen but I love the cabinets and the light. I also note that it’s not often that you see that many bathrooms in an old house.

+1.

I was waiting to get to the kitchen photos and be super disappointed, but it's actually decent and needs very little work (for me, anyway) - just replacing a few things, but the layout is decent as are the cabinets.

I do think keeping up with the maintenance and repairs is going to be a steady job, but it looks like it's really in pretty good condition. I love it.