Scratch the Itch with Historic Phoenix Homes

You are most certainly aware by now that I have an addiction to historic homes.  Phoenix historic homes offer a terrific opportunity today for the restoration minded and real estate investor. 

I’ve always been drawn to historic properties and I yearn to be more of an involved preservationist.  The architecture, styling, arches and even the creaks I feel when walking the wooden-floored halls all strike my very soul.  The minute I walk into a character home of historic significance I can’t help but drift off in time and wonder about the lives that filled the property in decades past.

I was out previewing this morning in the Roosevelt Historic District, Willo Historic District, the FQ Story and Encanto districts and am still having a tough time coming back to reality.  There are some incredible buys on the market today – many need work although some I saw this morning that are move-in ready. 

There’s something about the neighborhoods in historic areas.  For some reason the neighbors are neighborly!  Talk about the way things used to be! I must have met a handful of neighbors today taking great pride in their neighborhoods as they were painting the wood trim or tending a garden bed.  They’d wave hello and offer a cheerful hello as I was walked from the car to the porch.  One talked about the 40 year history and the many memories she had in her family home.  One neighbor proudly boasted that he had to come “rescue” the property he now called home.  It’s this kind of respect for the past and commitment to preservation that is adding allure (and value, I might add) to these charming communities.

Investors are finding historic Phoenix quiet attractive, too  – Many of these homes feature guest houses or second floor apartments, an ideal set-up for someone looking for the ever-so-desirable “mail box” money and on-going rental income. 

Here’s a teaser as to what I saw today:

Lead photo above is in the Roosevelt Histroic district of Chelsea Place.  This century-old bungalow was built in 1911 and features 6 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths in 4328 square feet.  It is offered at $379,000.

FQ Story 1934 with 4 beds/3 baths in 1650 sf. Offered at $124,900.

FQ Story 1931 with 3 beds/2 baths in 1482 sf. Offered at $195,000. Wonderful guest house, too!

West Encanto 1941 charmer with 3 beds, 1 3/4 baths in 2100 sf. Offered at $249,000.

Willo home built in 1940 with 4 beds, 3 baths in 1785 sf.  Offered at $174,900.  Includes one of the cutest guest houses I've seen in a long time, complete with vintage ovens!

If you're hankering for a resotoration project and you have the heart and soul of a preservationist, now's a terrific time.  And, you know me, I'm always ready to take a trip back into time explore some of the historic beauties of Phoenix, so don't hesitate to call me!

Phoenix Area Historic Homes Invites Visitors

Ever wonder what it was like on the inside of some of those old Phoenix area historic homes?  Well, now’s your chance as they open their doors and invite visitors inside for home tours.

I continue to be drawn to the stately beauty, the unique charm and the overflowing character of historic homes.  Perhaps it stemmed from my childhood:  As a kid growing up in a Chicago suburb, my brother and I would play in the hidden catwalk of our early 20^th century brick French Normandy with its mansard roof.  Or, maybe it began with the 1920’s English Tudor where my grandparents lived while in Dayton.  We’d play for hours in the glass green house in the rear grounds where my grandmother tended her geraniums. 

Whenever I hear of an opportunity to explore historic homes, I jump at the chance.  Looks like it’s going to be a busy spring from me.  This season, a number of historic neighborhoods are inviting visitors in to take a tour.  If you’re curious like me to see the inside of some of these homes, you’ll want to mark your calendars for these Home Tours:

March 6 and 10 – Coronado Historic Home & Garden Tour (and wine tasting). 10 am to 4 pm.  Call 602-565-6544 for more information.

March 13 – Tucson Home Tour presented by Sam Hughes Neighborhood.  12Noon to 5 pm.  Call 520-323-7891 for more information.

March 20 – "Homes through Time" hosted by Cave Creek Museum featuring historic to contemporary homes.  10 am to 4 pm.  Call 480-488-2764 for more information.

March 27 – Encanto-Palmcroft Preservation Association hosts its biennial home tour.  10 am to 4 pm. Call 602-345-1448 for more information.

Those stately homes of my childhood had character and were anything but ordinary.  Talk about attention to detail - carved doors, beveled glass in the windows, a built-in bench in the morning room off the kitchen, circular staircases that would go on for ever – rare to see that kind of quality in the newer built homes of today.  I had a balcony off my bedroom in one house where my brother and I were busted for building a ladder to escape from the requisite afternoon naps!  I’m convinced it was from those days as a kid that sparked my interest in architecture, design and real estate.

As these Phoenix area historic homes open their doors and welcome visitors, I’ll walk their halls straining to hear the stories I hope those walls would tell. 

©2011 Tom Weiskopf, PLLC. Tom Weiskopf, PLLC is an AZ licensed real estate agent with John Hall & Associates serving the Phoenix area. For more information, Tom can be reached at (602) 953-4000 or via e-mail at phxareahomes@gmail.com.

Enchanting Encanto-Palmcroft

Palm Lane in the heart of Encanto Palmcroft.

Spanish for the word “charm,” Encanto indeed lives up to its name.

I’ve always been drawn to historic homes. I’m intrigued with preservation and architecture. I love the unique attributes of these homes - the plaster walls, the front porches, the tile work and wooden floors. To me, it is such a refreshing escape from our stucco suburbia. Ah, at last, in these historic neighborhoods, no two homes are alike.

Perhaps my passion for historic homes stems from my upbringing. I grew in a turn of the century French Colonial in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton. It was grand and stately with its mansard roof and shuttered windows. I remember playing as a kid in the damp coal room and getting covered in black dust. It had catwalks and balconies and secret rooms. Mostly original, it had those rounded doorway arches and deep ebony wood work. It was truly one-of-kind.

And, my grandparents lived in ‘20’s –built enormous Tudor in Dayton, Ohio. It could have been from a movie with its huge sweeping circular staircase, grand entry and even servant quarters. It had an Olympic-sized pool with high dive, a pool house and even separate locker rooms for men and women. I spent hours at a time in the glass greenhouse digging in the dirt on the wooden tables my Grandmother would use for her geraniums. I so looked forward to visiting my grandparents. Some of my fondest childhood memories were from times I spent in old, historic homes filled with character.

Phoenix has a number of historic districts, each boasting their own unique charm and character. According to the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission, there are 35 historic districts currently registered, each boasting their own unique charm, characteristics and vibrancy. These very special historic neighborhoods continue to make central Phoenix the topic of conversation among preservationists both locally and across the country. But, hands down, one of my most favorite historic neighborhoods has got to be the Encanto-Palmcroft Historic district, with the seemingly endless Palm-lined streets and meticulously manicured lawns.

The Encanto-Palmcroft neighborhood is boasting with character. Located just west of Central Avenue this historic district is between 7th Avenue on the east and 15th Avenue on the west. It sits between McDowell Rd to the south and Encanto Blvd to the north. The community boasts a terrific park as well – Encanto Park, located in the northwest corner of the community. This park has been named one of the America’s best city parks by Forbes Magazine. The 220 acre park was created in 1934 and features picnic areas, pool, a lake with boat rentals, fishing, golf, nature trails and even an amusement Park named Enchanted Island complete with games and rides.

Homes in the Encanto-Palmcroft community began to be constructed between 1927 and the mid-1930’s with the park being the focal point of the community, a model adapted from 18th century England. Early construction came to a halt in the ‘30’s, and then picked back up again in response to the FHA-insured loans and for the most part, the neighborhood was completed in the 40’s. Roughly 330 homes make up the historic district. Architectural styles tend to be varied and include Spanish and Colonial revival, French cottage, pueblo, Mediterranean and Tudor.

Every two years, the Encanto-Palmcroft Historic Preservation Association hosts a Home Tour. Planning is underway for the next home tour slated for March 2011. The Encanto-Palmcroft Historic Preservation can provide more details when they become available. 

Many Phoenix area homeowners living in the district are carefully updating and restoring these grand dames of Phoenix.  They range in size from about 1,500 square feet to some, well over 6,000.  View a sampling of the homes listed for sale in the area by clicking here.

There are a number of resources available for buffs of Phoenix historic homes.  Check out Phoenix Historic Preservation, view a map of the Phoenix Historic Districts, and learn about the Arizona Preservation Foundation. 
 
2011 marks our 100th year of statehood.  As we prepare for the centennial celebration of our great state, perhaps you too will become enchanted with some the historic neighborhoods of Phoenix area homes.
 
©2010 Tom Weiskopf, PLLC. Tom Weiskopf, PLLC is an AZ licensed real estate agent with John Hall & Associates serving the Phoenix area. For more information, Tom can be reached at (602) 953-4000 or via e-mail at phxareahomes@gmail.com.