I had a couple who wanted an older home in Riverside. They really wanted a Victorian era home and had called me to go look at one. Before I left to meet them, I pulled up my buddies listing and took it with me. A good Realtor will always have a back up house to show you if the one you wanted to see wasn't what you really wanted. As I had thought, the home they picked wasn't "old" enough even though it was 100 years old, it had been modern for the time...not at all what they were looking for. I mentioned this other one, it was being restored at the time but I could get us in, and they said they wanted to see it.
It was only a few blocks away and when they parked behind me in I could see their faces in my rear view mirror, this was the kind of house they wanted. The home was built in the late 1800's it was a true Victorian. In fact, it was a Painted Lady. If you don't know what that is, it's one of those old homes with like shingles on the sides that are painted all different colors, the outside of this home had about 15 different colors on it and it was amazing to see. Almost like we stepped back in time over 100 years.
The outside was fairly complete and was incredible, the front door however was a sheet of plywood screwed to the house. I had my screw gun with me of course, I'm ready for anything! We went in and within two feet of the front door they told me they wanted the house, and I'm telling you it WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION! You could see who ever was doing the work was doing it right, well I could since I'm a woodworker and construction guy, and although very dirty I could see they were taking very painful steps to restore this home to it's former glory. Trust me, it deserved the attention, this Painted Lady I found out a few days later is in the painted Ladies Of America Book, it really was a true historical home.
Long story short, we made the offer and my clients got the house they always dreamed of, in total disrepair, but that didn't matter. In the contract it was to be finished and my clients would be able to pick certain things that they would like such as colors inside and that kinda thing. Because I was knowledgeable about the type of house, construction and all, they asked if I could drop in once or twice a week and make sure things were going as scheduled and as per contract for them. Remember now, I wasn't the listing agent, as it should have been them, but I said no problem and did as my clients asked. It really was a pleasure for me anyways.
Once again, long story short, it was finally completed. Parts were bought in from other old houses of the same age to fix things like hinges, doorknobs, glass and such. It turned out beautiful and it is one of the showcase homes in Riverside, California for the Christmas tour they do every year. In fact they do a dinner where every home prepares some dish and as visitors stop in they eat and get to look through the homes. I loved doing this transaction, it was one of the most fun/frustrating deals I ever got through. It took almost 6 months to close, remember we don't get paid until Escrow closes so that was one thing, but making sure the work got done on time and properly was a small nitemare but worth every minute in the long run. Here's some photos, it's a beautiful old home, and is completely up to date pluming/electrical wise. This first set is all exterior.
Here's some interior shots, things like the era chandeliers they found and such.
Part of the contract was the landscaping, we asked for some certain roses and things, which we got as well. These folks scoured antique shops, e-bay and anywhere they could for the downstairs furniture, they wanted certain real era pieces and they found them. This home actually has the right decorating and everything when you get inside, it is truly like stepping back in time.
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