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Older buildings are true gems, forging the character and reputation of historic neighborhoods and villages. The architecture of century-old houses seduces some buyers, but if these residences can become comfortable and unique homes adapted to our current lifestyle, several points should be considered before signing a promise to purchase.<\/p>\n
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An active member for many years of the Amis et propri\u00e9taires de maisons anciennes du Qu\u00e9bec (APMAQ), Cl\u00e9ment Locat considers ancestral homes to be witnesses of Quebec’s collective identity. “Well maintained, these homes have stood the test of time without going out of fashion and have shaped exceptional sites, such as \u00cele d’Orl\u00e9ans or Kamouraska. This is an attractive cultural asset, as villages that have taken care of their heritage attract tourists by representing the visited part of the province’s history. The preservation of these properties also has an environmental impact, because demolishing houses to rebuild others is quite contrary to sustainable development,” he notes.<\/p>\n
Particularly sensitive to this notion of sustainability, young people are increasingly interested in buying a heritage home to renovate or not, according to Renee Genest, executive director of Action Heritage. “These homes are often located in village cores close to businesses, which are highly sought-after locations for their vibrancy, but people are reluctant to buy them because they hear a lot of negative comments about the renovation requirements of these homes,” she says, adding that the first step is to talk to the right people, including a real estate broker who is accustomed to selling these types of properties.<\/p>\n
That’s the case for Dan Coutu, a real estate broker for Royal LePage au Sommet, who stresses the importance of making sure the broker is registered with the Organisme d’autor\u00e9glementation du courtage immobilier du Qu\u00e9bec (OACIQ).<\/p>\n
\n“When a client calls me to visit a century-old house, I first ask him if he has ever lived in this type of house or if he knows someone who has. This is important because they may not know that these homes generally have concrete foundations that are prone to water infiltration, that they may be less airtight in terms of insulation and therefore incur additional heating costs or renovation expenses.” – Dan Coutu, real estate broker for Royal LePage at Summit<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
That said, they’ve been standing for 100 years and are very solid, but they generally need work to bring them up to building standards,” says Coutu, referring to plumbing and electrical work. This is a priority, especially since insurance companies sometimes refuse to cover properties with old electrical installations because of fire risks or offer higher premiums.”<\/p>\n
INSPECTION AND REGULATION<\/h2>\n
The intervention of a home inspector who is also familiar with the older home market is fundamental and is even an obligation for the real estate broker. “Not calling in an inspector is like going straight into the abyss, for all types of houses,” says Mr. Coutu. His intervention will allow you to know if the purchase is relevant and, if so, what work needs to be done and the costs involved, to be validated with experts (plumber, electrician, contractor…). “You should never use your entire mortgage when you buy a century-old house, because you need to keep a good cushion for unforeseen events,” he recommends.<\/p>\n
\nThe charm and the preservation of the ancestral homes in their original state is based on the choice of materials, which can be imposed by the government and the municipality. “It’s very important to be aware of the specific elements that may be required, because you can’t always modify the house the way you want. For example, double wood windows or a tin roof. These noble materials are more expensive, but they have the advantage of being much more durable than newer ones, such as asphalt shingles or windows that have to be changed every 15 years,” notes Genest.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
That said, the properties mentioned are eligible for grants.<\/p>\n
\n“There is a heritage property restoration program at the Ministry of Culture and Communications that can cover up to 50 percent of restoration costs if you qualify.” – Renee Genest, executive director of Action Heritage<\/p>\n
“Cities also play a very important role because they are the ones who issue demolition permits and develop municipal regulations to protect buildings, and it is possible to apply to cite a heritage house, she adds. You can get up to 100% subsidies for the work to be done if the house is classified at the provincial and federal level,” explains the director of Action patrimoine, citing the example of the City of Joliette, which has set up a financial assistance program for heritage restoration and renovation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
ARTISANS SOUGHT AFTER<\/h2>\n
\nMr. Locat is well aware of the issues involved in acquiring a century-old house, and both the APMAQ and Action patrimoine are valuable resources for assisting new owners. Patience is also required, especially in finding the right craftsmen. “There is a lack of specialized workers and we sometimes advise people to turn to the Conseil des m\u00e9tiers d’art du Qu\u00e9bec. Many buyers are passionate about old buildings and will do DIY work themselves,” says Cl\u00e9ment Locat.<\/p>\n
“The advantage of pre-1940 homes is that underneath the layers of carpeting and other poor quality coverings are often beautiful wood floors or beamed ceilings that can often be restored,” Locat says. Exposing the original materials sometimes provides an opportunity to discover extraordinary cabinetry or plaster details.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Unlike the exteriors, the interiors of the houses mentioned can generally be modified to the owner’s taste, taking into account the structural elements as for any building. You have to keep a coherence between the interior and the exterior; we’ve been used to open spaces for a few years, whereas in these houses, it’s the opposite, we have lots of small rooms,” says broker Dan Coutu. You can update, but it has to be done in the original style for aesthetic reasons, but also because, if it’s well done, the house will increase in value. These are not houses to flip.”<\/p>\n
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Source :<\/strong> Article by Emmanuelle MOZAYAN-VERSCHAEVE on the plus.lapresse.ca on the 19 February of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n
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