Back in January I helped fund a project in Hartford CT.  It was an old home in a historic preservation district just blocks away from the Mark Twain House in Hartford.  I was helping to fund the repairs and since it is in a historic district that meant extra attention to some of the architectural details, such as windows, in order to retain some of the original character of the property.

In construction, they say that something always comes up and things never go exactly according to plan.  This is especially true in the realm of historic preservation.  My original loan was for 6 months, but they ended up working out a 3-month extension due to the extra time it took to work through red tape and approvals.   I am happy with the results.  The work is now complete, and the house has been listed.  You can check it out here!

I know that some people think living in a historic house means living with stone-age amenities, but that is often not the case.  While there are some projects that do aim to preserve every original detail, there is a wide spectrum.  Each state and each historic preservation district can set up its own guidelines and many start with just the external characteristics of the property.  On 62 Whitney Street, the windows were the main detail that they focused on.  Some districts will allow for new windows, as long as they match the character of the neighborhood, but in this case the team had to restore the original windows.  You can also see some of the original hardwood on the main floor.  However, there is also plenty of new lighting and fixtures throughout the house as well as new appliances in the kitchen and bathrooms.  A great blend of history with modern conveniences!

Just for reference, here is a before picture of the front: 

I am glad I took the opportunity to work with Six Pack Group in a small way to help fund this project and really happy to see it now in livable condition and ready for someone to make it their home.

My senior year in High School I had a chance to take a drafting course and that set me on a course to study architecture at my local community college.  However, a year in I took a job doing the books for a local chapel.  About half a year later I changed majors to accounting and stayed on that path for the next couple of decades.  

What lead me back to my interest in houses and into real estate?

That will be in the next update.

If you are ready to take a step in your real estate journey, please click the button below.  I'd be happy to help.