By: KAREN ZIGA, This Old House online

Finding a Festive Fix

Getting your house ready to show off to holiday visitors can be a daunting task. To make all the prep less of a chore, we’ve gathered our best holiday home ideas from the popular Home Solutions column of This Old House magazine! These quick and easy problem solvers are fun ways to turn any ho-hum house to a festive holiday home.

Fun, Festive Entry Lights

If the thought of icicle lights dripping from your roofline feels more ho hum than ho ho ho, try a fresh approach to decorating for the season. Wrap a strand of retro-style colored bulbs around your entry gate, mailbox, or portico posts like a kid would: in a casual, unstudied way. Use outdoor-rated LED bulbs for a brighter, longer-lasting (up to 100,000 hours!) glow. They’ll also trim your electric bill, since they burn 90 percent less energy than incandescents. Plug them into an outdoor receptacle or fit an outdoor light fixture (that’s not low-voltage) with a socket-to-outlet adapter. Complete the scene with berries and greenery for a lighthearted twist on the traditional holiday welcome.

Sideboard Radiator Cover

While entertaining in a dining room during, a buffet server comes in handy—if you have room for one, that is. Here, a radiator might have hogged the needed space. Instead, it’s boxed out with a furniture-style cover, complete with bead molding; drawers lined with special inserts for storing silverware; and metal screening that lets heat escape. But the best feature, hands down: a marble top that keeps pie at the perfect serving temperature, much like the marble-topped kitchen radiators of yore. That’s a lot more than any old serving station can do.

Hang Tubs for Wintry Gear

If there’s no place to park them, scarves, gloves, and hats can become a tangled heap in your entryway, complicating matters for anyone on their way out the door. To store winter items that can slip off conventional shelves, mount galvanized-steel beverage tubs to the wall above a row of coat hooks. To hang them: Locate and mark the wall studs, then drill at least two holes for each tub, making sure one goes into a stud and using a toggle-bolt anchor in the other hole. Drill corresponding holes on the bottom of each tub, and use deck screws to fasten them to the wall. Check for level and adjust the tubs as needed. They’ll add a touch of rustic charm in an entryway—and keep the party spirit alive for months to come.

Make Odd Seats Look Like a Set

It’s that time of year when you need more seats around the table at each holiday feast table. You will probably have to haul out your collection of mismatched chairs. Before the party day arrives, give orphaned chairs with flat backs a cohesive look with a coat of paint and decorative decals in dressed-up furniture styles. The decals go on in a few simple steps (just make sure the surface is clean and smooth before transferring the design) and peel off easily when the look wears thin.

Great Salvage Gift Idea

Looking for something small and affordable at the salvage yard? Decorative iron tub supports can be found at most such shops—and are far easier to recycle than the heavy vessels that once perched upon them. A matching pair like these ornate tiger claws costs about $50. Put them to work as bookends on your desk or give them as a gift to the book-lover on your list. To protect wood from scratches, stick felt cushions on the feet bottoms. Then put your own feet up and enjoy the ironwork’s vintage charm.

Pro tip: To preserve the iron’s patina and seal any lead paint, add a coat of clear acrylic finish.

Rekindle an Old Flame

Using clay tile to reline an old chimney so that you can safely enjoy those nightly blazes will cost a few thousand bucks. At this house, a Victorian cast-iron gas insert—vented via a steel tube placed in the chimney and finished with tiled side panels—struck us as a stylistically fitting and economical way to keep the fire burning. The faux-brick firebox is made from heat-reflective ceramic that radiates warmth into the room instead of up the stack, keeping you even cozier.

Another bonus: No more ashes to scoop out. While installing an insert is a pro’s job (find one at the National Fireplace Institute), enjoying the result is all yours.

Add an Easy Wallpaper Backsplash

Replacing an outdated tile or stone backsplash before the kitchen gets too busy with holiday meal prep can set you back a pretty penny. For one that’s easier on the wallet—and a cinch to revamp and clean—opt for wallpaper covered with ¼-inch tempered glass. Measure the backsplash area and cut out a cardboard template, marking the openings for electrical outlets. Bring the template to a glass fabricator so that they can cut a piece to size and polish the edges. After papering the wall, attach the glass by screwing down the outlet cover plates. Then run a bead of clear silicone sealant along the bottom and top edges and at the seams. Next time you update your kitchen, a new backsplash is just a quick switch of wallpaper away.

Shown: A geometric pattern works here because the paper is wide enough to be hung horizontally—no need to match seams. Antonina Vella Designs, about $63 per roll; York Wallpapers and Fabrics

Pretty Up the Place for Parties

Electrical panels, thermostats, big switch plates—they’re household necessities, but they’re also eyesores that can thwart your decorating efforts. Using sliding display panels will keep them accessible but under wraps so guests won’t have to see them. Make these panels with two-track hardware and wheels (available at Stanley Hardware), as shown, or use a sliding-door kit instead.

The How-to:

1. Pick up a kit with bypass tracks that are wall-mountable (also called “face-fixed”). Install the tracks above and below the area you wish to cover.

2. Cut two equal pieces of panel board to size. Coat one with chalkboard paint; cover the other with self-stick corkboard.

3. Use the door hardware to affix one panel to each track so that they can slide behind each other.

Reminder: Before you start, be sure you have enough space to slide the panels out of the way to access what’s behind them.

Store Wine Under the Stairs

Some people have wizards living under their stairs; you can have wine. This nifty under-the-stairs wine-rack keeps wine out of the way but still convenient during a holiday dinner. The pull-out storage is a custom-built unit that holds up to 32 bottles. The beadboard front panel is the same piece cut out for the opening, so the cabinet blends seamlessly into the wall.

Inspired to do the same? First, make sure your stairs are self-supporting and that there’s no hidden wiring or ductwork in the way. Once you’re in the clear, construct a box to your specs out of ½-inch plywood. Then add slide-out shelves fitted with cutout fronts that cradle the bottles’ necks—or simply fill the box with a prefab wine rack. Finish with heavy-duty glides and a decorative front panel or cabinet door.

Warm-Up with a Cheery Fire, No Chimney Needed

Sound like a pipe dream? Not with vent-free gas fireplace appliances. They hook right up to a gas line, go on with the flick of a wall switch or click of a remote, and provide real flames that burn much hotter and cleaner than traditional gas or wood-burning fireplaces. There’s no need for a flue since fuel burns so efficiently; a sensor and safety valve ensure that carbon monoxide won’t build up. Available as log sets, inserts, and full fireplaces in a range of sizes, there’s an option to suit every home (for retailers, go to hpba.org).

Give the Gift of Personalized Decor

Create the perfect personalized gift with these thoughtful throw pillows! It’s a snap to do: Take high-resolution digital photos (at least 150 dpi) of a favorite subject, crop them to your liking, then upload them to an online fabric printer, such as Karma Kraft, Spoonflower, orFabric on Demand. The company will transfer the images onto a material of your choice and either send you yardage to stitch up yourself or, in the case of the Karma Kraft pillows shown here, supply the zippered covers. Either way, you’ve got a picture-perfect addition to any room.

Gussy Up a Claw-Foot

That old-fashioned cast-iron tub in the guest bath sure is impressive—unless your antique soaker’s exterior has taken a beating over the years. You can refresh an old tub (or just introduce an unexpected splash of color) with an affordable can of paint. While reglazing the interior’s porcelain is a project best left to the pros, you can easily refinish the outside of your tub in less than a day.

The How-to:

1. Scrub the surface with a stiff wire brush, removing any flaking paint.

2. Using a natural-bristle brush or 4-inch foam roller, apply an oil-based primer formulated for metal. Let dry 6 to 8 hours, and brush on a bright, oil-based enamel or epoxy. (Avoid latex paint, as it can cause your tub to rust.)

3. If a second coat is needed, wait 24 hours before applying. Then get set to soak in your bathing beauty.

House-Parts Trimmings

Even a small table-top tree can make a big statement if you set it inside a box clad with tin ceiling tiles. Place a tree like this one in a secondary party room, away from the main event. Party guests will take the cure that there’s room to roam, and your house will fill out with revelers. For an added old-home touch, trim the tree with keyhole hardware and dollhouse doors and windows ties with ribbons.

Get full step-by-step instructions for How to Build a Christmas Tree Box like the one shown here.

Build a Window-Arch Console Table for a Welcoming Entry

Give guests extra space to put down drinks with a console table that has true one-of-a-kind appeal. Support the bluestone and wood top with some sculptural finds from a salvage yard—like the weathered Gothic arches used here.

The How-to:

1. Look for heavy, arched wood window frames or garden ornaments at your local salvage yard; if the arches aren’t thick enough to support your table top, screw two together.

2. Once you have a sturdy base, create the top by capping a 2x plank with decorative molding that features a beveled profile.

3. Adhere the board to the top of the arches with construction adhesive, shim it level around the peak of each arch, and fasten with deck screws. If your base is stone, you’ll need masonry anchors and screws.

4. Top the plank with a bluestone step (available at a stone yard for about $10 per foot), cut to your desired measurements. Then complete the dramatic display by resting a few of your favorite finds on the console’s top.

Keep Winter Wildlife Invaders Out

There’s no worse time than the holidays to have unwanted house guests scurrying across your dining room floor. Unfortunately, fall and winter are prime pest invasion times. To prevent rodents and winged critters from breaking in, start by strengthening your home’s vulnerable spots.

Follow these tips to Keep Furry Invaders Out.

Update Old Chairs with Paint

Transform even an ordinary dinner into a festive affair by perking up the legs of your dining chairs with a coat of cheerful color. Start by going over the legs with medium-grit sandpaper until they’re as smooth as possible. Wipe away any dust with a tack cloth, then use a small brush to apply a coat of latex primer. Follow with two coats of latex paint in your desired hue; let dry completely between applications. If the legs feature detailed woodwork, avoid drips by painting with a side-to-side motion.

Revive a Coir Doormat

Give guests a warm welcome this holiday and prevent tracked-in dirt, too! If you’ve got a fiber mat that’s starting to show wear and tear from this winter’s boot traffic, bring it back to life with water and a broom. First, scrape off any caked-on mud with a spoon or knife, then hang the rug outside and beat it with the broom’s handle. Use a stiff-bristle brush and water to clean any remaining dirt particles, and lay flat to dry. Keep up this maintenance and your mat can last up to six years.

Install a Tin-Tile Fireplace Surround

Who doesn’t like gathering around the fireplace on a chilly holiday eve? Use leftover tin tiles from a backsplash or ceiling project to create an ornate, small-scale pattern highlighting the narrow space around the hearth. Cut the tiles to fit from large panels, then cover the surround with cement backer board and affix the tin with a heat-resistant construction adhesive.

TIP: Choose metal ceiling tiles with a small repeat so that you can cut them without ruining the pattern. Tin, $20 for a 2-by-4-foot sheet;classicceilings.com

Upgrade a Closet to a Hidden Home Office

With winter upkeep to-do lists, lots of gift shopping, and the to-be-paid monthly bills, it is easy to feel disorganized during the din of holidays. This compact home office is a great DIY gift idea for yourself or a loved one. Carve one out from a seldom-used closet by removing the existing rod and following these tips:

The How-to:

1. Set shelves at least 1 foot apart and mount with standards, which can hold up to 70 pounds per foot. Try: Elfa’s Driftwood and Platinum Office in a Closet, $232; containerstore.com.

2. Avoid clutter by stashing stationery and odds and ends in labeled, stackable boxes.

3. If your doors don’t fold, take advantage of vertical real estate by screwing thin sheets of cork to their back sides for posting notes and bills.

4. Set your to-do lists in sight with a small, movable magnetic or dry-erase board. To make a one-of-a-kind version, prime and coat a piece of wood with blackboard paint.

5. Pick a narrow desk with slim drawers directly beneath the top for space-saving, easy-to-access storage.

6. Instead of installing a ceiling light, opt for a task lamp with an adjustable arm.

Be Bright When Hanging Lights

Instead of tacking down twinklers with staples (which can damage insulation around electrical wiring) or nails (which won’t secure strands in high winds), opt for zip ties or plastic clips made especially for the job. Hook them onto gutters and shingles, and space them no more than 12 inches apart to keep swags neat, even in messy weather.

Our favorite fastener: Omni All-in-One Clip, $9 for 100; christmaslightsetc.com.

Inspect Your Oven

Get ready for the holiday cooking marathon with a quick oven checkup. If your appliance has a self-cleaning function, avoid using it right before making a major meal, as it can throw off the temperature gauge. And make sure the digital reading matches the cavity’s actual temp with a tried-and-true analog oven thermometer. If it’s off by more than 5 degrees, manually reset the display so that they’re in sync. If the gap is more than 35 degrees, call a pro—it may be time for a new oven.

Spiff Up Carpets

Guests trampling through your home throughout the season can make any host a scrooge if it results in dirty, stained carpets. To keep rugs looking fresh, follow these spot-cleaning tips.

The How-to:

1. Spray stains with an enzyme-based cleaner, which can tackle food and most mystery spots in high-traffic areas.

2. Blot with a sponge, avoiding a back-and-forth motion, as it can damage fibers.

3. Lift soap residue—which can attract dirt after it dries—with a steam cleaner filled with plain water. Or just blot with vinegar, then with clear cold water.

Prep a Guest Room

Treat out-of-towners to a hotel-worthy stay with these traveler-friendly tweaks:

1. Install wall hooks for towels, travel kits, and tote bags.

2. Clear 3 feet of rod space in the closet.

3. Free up 4 feet of flat surface on a window seat or low bookshelf for easy suitcase access.

4. Add night lights to hallways and the guest bath.

Hang Ceiling Medallion Wreaths

Let even your holiday decor reflect your home’s architectural style by decking the halls with something that may already deck its ceilings: decorative medallions. Traditionally used to highlight chandeliers or pendant lights, these artistic adornments come in a variety of designs featuring everything from simple colonial-style rings to ornate Victorian-inspired flourishes. Here, we coated three lightweight polyurethane medallions (from $17 each; outwatercatalogs.com) in rich shades of green. Hung from red satin ribbon in a tidy group, they telegraph the same festive look as their leafy cousins—but will look just as good as they do now for countless seasons to come.

Ensure coverage of all the medallion’s “carved” details with an angled brush and two coats of latex paint.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Old House Neighborhoods 2011: The Northeast

By: KEITH PANDOLFI, GILLIAN BARTH, CAROLE BRADEN, AMANDA KEISER, ERIC HAGERMAN, SAL VAGLICA, AND DANIELLE BLUNDELL, This Old House online

 

For the fourth year in a row, we’ve tracked down North America’s most timeless neighborhoods—places where lovingly crafted old houses have extraordinary pasts and unarguably promising futures. With help from our friends at Portland, Oregon-basedPreservationDirectory.com—who distributed our nomination forms to more than 14,000 historical societies, neighborhood groups, and preservation nonprofits—we’ve assembled our biggest-ever list of off-the-beaten-path places that are worth eyeing for a great old home.

From quaint New England villages to bustling urban enclaves, here are a dozen places where you can find a perfect old house of your own along the northern Atlantic coast.

Historic Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Home to America’s second-largest steel producer until Bethlehem Steel closed, in 2003, this city of 72,000 is about 70 miles north of Philadelphia and 81 miles west of New York City. Many retired millworkers still live here, these days next door to 30- and 40-something professionals who’ve chosen Bethlehem for its almost-sane metropolis commute. Lehigh University and Moravian College are both here, contributing to a thriving historic-district arts scene that includes free concerts, house and garden tours, and monthly art shows inside the glass walls of the town hall rotunda. On Main Street, the Moravian Bookshop, the country’s oldest continuously operating tome seller, stands among well-traveled restaurants and coffeehouses. Historic Bethlehem has a community feel: Neighbors attend town meetings, walk to the single-screen Boyd Theatre for a flick, and catch their dinner at Monocacy Creek, a trout stream off the Lehigh River.

The Houses
The neighborhood is stocked with two-and-a-half- and three-story Italianates, Queen Annes, Second Empires, and Gothic Revivals built near the turn of the 20th century. Got elbow grease? One of these ornate Victorians can be had starting at —300,000. A fully restored one is more likely to ring up for —600,000 or more. Historic Bethlehem also has rowhouses in the —175,000 range, and wherever you stroll, history abounds. As local Realtor Barbara Fraust says, “You can traverse centuries in eight blocks.”

Why Buy Here?
The Keystone State is known for its affordable living, for families and empty nesters alike. Retiree alert: You won’t pay state tax on pension income in good old Pennsylvania.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Waterfront, College Towns, Retirees,Family Friendly, Victorians, Walkability

Tariffville Village, Simsbury, Connecticut

In Tariffville, locals are known to hold old-fashioned community cookouts or head to the Farmington River for tubing, kayaking, or rafting. But despite its many pleasures, few people outside Connecticut have ever heard of it. “This place has sort of been forgotten over the years,” says Chet Matczak, president of the Tariffville Village Association. “That’s one of the things that make it such a nice place to live.” The neighborhood of just 320 families is a pocket of Simsbury, about 11 miles northwest of Hartford. Thanks to its small-town New England charms, top-notch schools, and die-hard dedication to historic preservation. Simbsury was included on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s exclusive “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” list in 2010. AndMoney magazine recently named it one of the Best Places to Live in America. We thought we’d add to the list by naming Tariffville one of the best neighborhoods to buy an old house, too.

The Houses
Greek Revivals and Gothic Revivals in Tariffville date back to the 19th century, while the late 1800s and early 1900s produced a whimsical array of Folk Victorians. Prices range from $180,000 for four-bedroom homes in disrepair (but with plenty of motivating character) to about $400,000 for large houses in beautiful condition.

Why Buy Here?
Tariffville is one of the few places where you can find a five-bedroom home for under $200,000. It’s an affordable hamlet for old-home lovers who want bang for their buck and for families buying for the first time and looking for access to quality education.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Bargains, Fixer-Uppers, Waterfront,Family Friendly, First-Time Buyers,Victorians, Small Towns, Outdoor Activities, Easy Commute

Milton, Delaware

“We still have work to do,” says Melinda Huff, executive director of the Milton Historical Society about getting her little river town the recognition it deserves. Still, Milton has accomplished quite a bit already. Settled in the early 1680s, the town’s Historic District was listed National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Now Milton is in the process of nominating 240 more historic homes on the Register as well. Located near the state’s eastern shore at the Broadkill River’s head, Milton was, at various times, a 19th-century schooner-building center, the “Holly Capital of the World,” and a hotbed for buttonmaking. Nowadays it’s just a friendly small town, with nearly 2,000 parents, kids, grandparents, and young professionals who love Milton for summer’s sweet corn, cones from King’s Ice Cream, and other favorite summer pastimes, like fishing, canoeing, and gardening.

The Houses
About 40 percent of Milton’s homes have been restored, but there are still plenty of deals to be had. The Milton National Historic District includes 198 National Register—listed structures—among them Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival homes?plus bungalows and vernacular styles. Some contain wide-plank floorboards taken from sailing vessels, stained-glass windows, hand carvings, and newel posts made of walnut or oak. Currently, an 1830s vernacular home with Federal characteristics is on the market for $200,000, though it needs a fair amount of restoration work.

Why Buy Here?
Anyone who enjoys boating, fishing, or maritime history—which is well documented at the Milton Historic Society’s museum—would feel pretty comfy here. Milton is also home to the famed Dogfishhead brewery, so you won’t ever have a hard time tracking down some fresh 90-Minute IPA or Chicory Stout.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Waterfront, Family Friendly, First-Time Buyers, Small Towns, Gardening,Walkability

Deering Center, Portland, Maine

Deering Center’s claim to fame: It’s said to be the one place in the U.S. where a child can go to kindergarten on up through college all on the same street. Along with Longfellow Elementary School and Deering High School, the neighborhood’s Stevens Avenue is also home to the University of New England. An early trolley-car suburb, Deering Center was annexed by Portland in 1899. It was ideal for child-rearing, with set-back houses, sidewalks, and an enormous wooded park with hiking trails as a haven from the city. For some years, residents have been fixing up homes by famed Portland architect John Calvin Stevens and peeling mid-century siding from the facades of their historic houses. “We have it all,” says Naomi Mermin, president of the Deering Center Neighborhood Association, citing a diverse population of several thousand, an old-fashioned butcher, and cross-country ski trails at the park as proof.

The Houses
The streets here display a “higglety-pigglety mix” of home styles, according to Merman, including Italianates, Queen Annes, Colonial Revivals, Foursquares, Craftsman bungalows, Sears kit houses, and a farmhouse-influenced style that locals refer to as the “New Englander,” the majority built in the 20th century’s first half. Prices start in the mid-$200,000s and top out at $500,000.

Why Buy Here?
Want a nearly turnkey nest, rather than a roll-up-your-sleeves project? “This is not a neighborhood where you’ll find houses in bad shape,” Merman says. “Houses in fairly original condition, needing updates but otherwise in good shape, are easy to find.” And many older homes here are multifamily dwellings including rental units; these large houses not only offer income potential, but prove remarkably energy-efficient during Maine’s long, cold winters.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Family Friendly, Cottages & Bungalows,City Living, First-Time Buyers, Easy Commute, Walkability

Easton, Maryland

“I’m going to see Randy Newman at the Avalon downtown this month—and I’m walking to the theater,” says Beth Hansen, boasting about the walkability of her adopted hometown of Easton. Hansen, who moved here from Oakland, California, six years ago, also loves the town’s active arts community and gourmand-caliber restaurants, not to mention its indy coffee shops, clothing boutiques, and wine bars. Easton, which is home to about 14,000 people, has long been a hot spot for Washingtonians looking for second homes or retirement sweet spot. That makes sense: Downtown offers all of the cultural amenities big-city Beltway types demand, while Easton’s outlying areas on Chesapeake Bay provide boating, duck hunting, fishing, and some pretty inspiring natural scenery to boot.

The Houses
Like Hansen, many residents here choose to live in the downtown area’s historic Victorian-era houses, including Folk, Second Empire, and Queen Anne homes. We found a 3,480-square-foot Folk Victorian within walking distance of downtown for $129,000; a 4,175-square-foot, five-bedroom Second Empire farmhouse, located minutes from downtown on 2.69 acres of land, was selling for $346,000. Those who covet coastal views will find waterfront houses on Chesapeake Bay, about 15 minutes outside of town (expect to pay $700,000 and up for those properties).

Why Buy Here?
Prices were skyrocketing in Easton before the real estate bust, but now you can pick up a solid old house in town for less than $200,000. Easton is located 72 miles east of Washington, D.C., so it remains an excellent choice for second-home buyers. With its good schools and safe streets, it’s also ideal for families with children.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Waterfront, Family Friendly, Victorians,Small Towns, Walkability

Ipswich, Massachusetts

Some 30 miles northeast of Boston is the beachfront town of Ipswich, known to have inspired Theodore Wendel and other American Impressionist painters with its rolling hills, salt marshes, open farmlands, and classic maritime scenery. Ipswich is now home to almost 14,000 residents, including retirees, families, and everyone from working-class fishermen to well-known writers and artists. Environmentally focused preservation societies take great care to protect the town’s natural resources, while locals and visitors enjoy horseback riding on country trails, canoeing and kayaking on the Ipswich River, cavorting on Crane Beach’s white sands, and, of course, feasting on the famous Ipswich clams. Jean Moss, who conducts historic-home tours here, says, “I’ve never lived in a place where people loved their town so much.”

The Houses
Of the 180 historic houses here, 58 were built before 1725, making Ipswich the home of more First Period houses than any other U.S. community. Typically family owned and rarely found on the market, these early structures are mainly Postmedieval English timberframe dwellings featuring saltbox rearward extensions. Queen Anne and Italianate homes built around the turn of the 19th century are also here, and tend to go for around $600,000. On the lower end, a 3-bedroom 1928 Colonial Revival in need of gut renovation—and a hike from the town center—is listed for $169,900.

Why Buy Here?
You can live near the beach as a one-car family! Ipswich is one of only a few Boston-area seaside towns with its own train station, walkable from the town center.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Waterfront, Retirees, Family Friendly,Small Towns, Outdoor Activities, History Happened Here, Easy Commute,Walkability

Francestown, New Hampshire

“We’ve been open for—hmm—about 197 years now,” says Jason Martel, owner of the Francestown Village Store. Indeed, for two centuries, residents of this southern New Hampshire town have been coming here for their groceries, hardware, and just about everything else. “These days, we also carry 450 types of beer and roasted seaweed for sushi,” Martel adds. The store is the glue that holds the town of about 1,500 together (and yes, it sells glue, too). Almost all of the buildings and houses here were built between the late 1700s and the late 1800s, when Francestown was bypassed by the railroad. Hindsight says that was a fortuitous turn: Had things transpired differently, the town wouldn’t be the charmer of a bedroom community—many residents commute to Boston or Manchester—that it is today.

The Houses
Popular styles include Cape Cod and Federal, many with beautiful English-style gardens. Recently for sale was one of Francestown’s few Victorian-era houses, a 2,287-square-foot Queen Anne on a quarter acre, on the market for $225,000. Also available: a 3,056-square-foot 1826 Federal, with an attached barn, for $295,000.

Why Buy Here?
Anyone looking for a quiet, rural community in which to settle down will find a fine option here. But be warned: There is no nightlife here to speak of. “Once I close my doors, the town’s done for the day,” Martel says. Action awaits about 20 miles away in Manchester, or in Boston, a 90-minute drive. It’s a great place for skiers, though, being the home of the Crotched Mountain ski area.

Among the best for: First-Time Buyers,Gardening, Northeast, Small Towns,Outdoor Activities

Lambertville, New Jersey

Everything from hairpins to toilets was once manufactured in tiny Lambertville. But the former industrial center has changed: This Delaware River enclave is now home to nearly 5,000 artists, writers, retirees, shop owners, and big-city professionals (who brave 45- or 90-minute commutes to Philadelphia or Manhattan, respectively). What Lambertville lacks in population it makes up for in house-reviving spirit. It’s a hotbed for carpenters, masons, architects, antiques dealers, and other home-restoration pros, and a destination for those embarking on the endearingly prickly journey of rehabbing an old home. Mornings, you can stroll the Union Street antiques shops or the nearby renowned Golden Nugget Antique Market.

The Houses
A history dating back to 1705 means Lambertville has accumulated a wide range of architectural styles. “Every house is unique,” says Holly Havens, a real estate agent who settled in Lambertville in 1995. The town center offers early-19th-century Federal to Greek Revival and later Italian Villa, Gothic Revival, English Cottage, French Second Empire, and Queen Anne homes, as well as 1850s rowhouses built for Irish canal workers. Craftsman bungalows and vernacular cottages dot outlying hills. Those game for heavy lifting can grab a storied house with good bones for a song. We found a two-bedroom Colonial rowhouse dating to the 1700s for $168,000 (yep, it needs work).

Why Buy Here?
If you’re looking for a small—but growing—artisan-friendly town, or a commutable rural pocket, Lambertville is your place. “It’s Oz,” says Havens. “We’re so tucked away.” And did we mention the deals?

Among the best for: The Northeast,Bargains, Waterfront, Retirees, Singles,First-Time Buyers, Small Towns, Outdoor Activities, Walkability

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York

Once home to thousands of Norwegian shipbuilders as well as Italian and Irish immigrants, this old-school Brooklyn neighborhood on New York Harbor’s shores is a down-home kind of place. Families walk together after church on Sundays or gather at the locally owned restaurants and bakeries that line Third Avenue. This is a serenely diverse neighborhood, where you can hit a Norwegian pastry shop, an Italian butcher, and a Middle Eastern grocery all on one block; and it offers great views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. “We like things subdued here,” says Victoria Hofmo, who grew up in the community of 70,000. “We also like all the green space, the waterfront access, and the village atmosphere. We’ve got it all.”

The Houses
Two- and three-story single- and multi-family brick and brownstone rowhouses are common, as are wood-and-stucco Tudor-style and limestone-front Renaissance Revival rowhouses. This is New York City, of course, where “affordable” means anything under seven figures. A two-story brick rowhouse with original millwork and pocket doors might go for $500,000. A restored 1930s Tudor rowhouse recently listed at $558,000. Renaissance Revivals start at $700,000.

Why Buy Here?
It’s just over an hour by subway to midtown Manhattan. Young families and professionals are coming for what is now unattainable in most New York City nabes: a single-family house.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Waterfront, City Living, Family Friendly,Walkability, Rowhouses

South Kingstown, Rhode Island

South Kingstown is a big town in a tiny state: The 57-square-mile community, just north of Atlantic inlet Point Judith Pond, comprises 14 villages, several with historical designation for exemplary architecture. South Kingstown’s jewel, the Kingston Village Historic District, founded in the 1700s as Little Rest, earned National Register standing in 1974. The neighborhood is adjacent to the 14,000-student University of Rhode Island, giving its stately blocks a vibrant energy. A bike trail follows a defunct rail line from West Kingston beachward, passing former mill sites in the villages of Peace Dale and Wakefield, where artists and academics have been colonizing old millworkers’ cottages and factory buildings. Add in good schools and shopping, and Newport or Providence within a 30-minute commute, and you’ve got a draw for all ages and professions.

The Houses
Kingston Village Historic District is home to South Kingstown’s oldest houses, ranging from Federal and other early-American styles up through the Victorian era’s Queen Annes. Peace Dale’s vernacular millworkers’ cottages charm with their picket fences and cozy front porches, and retail-heavy Wakefield hides a pocket of late-19th-century styles, including Queen Annes, Capes, Colonial Revivals and vernaculars. Recently for sale was an 1891 three-bedroom Colonial Revival in Peace Dale for $185,000.

Why Buy Here?
“It’s a lovely, preserved old town,” says Catherine Gagnon, who recently purchased a home in Kingston with business partner Ann Danis for $300,000. The two musicians plan to open Lily’s at Little Rest, a three-guest-room bed-and-breakfast. They chose South Kingstown for its possibilities, with an affordable market and supportive preservation community, as well as proximity to the beach and plenty of historic sites. “We’re excited,” Gagnon says.

Among the best for: The Northeast,College Towns, Waterfront, Family Friendly, Cottages & Bungalows, Singles,First-Time Buyers, Outdoor Activities

Hardwick, Vermont

Don’t expect to find a food court or Filet-O-Fish in Hardwick anytime soon. “There’s no mall and no McDonald’s,” Andrew Meyer says of his hometown. A 19th-century granite-mining boomtown that went bust, then slogged through the 20th century, Hardwick is back because of food of the not-so-fast sort. Meyer, co-owner of Vermont Soy, grew up on a farm in this town of 3,000 in the state’s northern third. After a stint in Washington as an agricultural aide, he came home, planted beans, and helped turn the town into a cocoon of what foodies call “locavorism.” He founded the Center for an Agricultural Economy, which works with farmers, communities, and agribusiness to develop healthy food. The cooperative kitchens of the Hardwick-based Vermont Food Venture Center assist fledgling food-processing companies, and Claire’s restaurant serves eats from nearby fields. This community of young entrepreneurs, farming families, and supportive elders proves it: Small business can produce significant economic growth.

The Houses
Many were built at the turn of the 20th century, between the granite industry’s acceleration and crash. Folk Victorians built by mining bosses sport Italianate, Queen Anne, and Second Empire features, and tend to sell in the $125,000 to $200,000 range, according to Realtor Ron Sanville. Classic Capes and Colonial Revivals are common, too, and can often be snagged for less than $125,000.

Why Buy Here?
Hardwick’s Main Street was home to a slew of watering holes in the depressed days. Today, its diverse array of businesses includes a clothing boutique, a bakery, a jewelry shop, a bookstore, and a co-op of micro-businesses, from acupuncturists to accountants. With agricultural jobs growing fast in Hardwick, if you’ve ever considered running off to rural America, this seems one prosperous place to park your tractor.

Among the best for: The Northeast,Retirees, Family Friendly, Singles, First-Time Buyers, Small Towns, Gardening,Easy Commute

Eckington, District of Columbia

Forget Bethesda and Arlington. When technology director Steve Rynecki moved from San Diego, California, to Washington, D.C., in 2002, he wanted to live inside the city limits. He also wanted an older place with period details—a Federal rowhouse on Capitol Hill or a red-brick Queen Anne in Columbia Heights. Unfortunately, digs in those neighborhoods were priced over the half-million-dollar mark. So Steve looked to the district’s northeast section and found what he was looking for: an 1893 rowhouse for around $250,000. “The price was right, the architecture was amazing, and the metro a 10-minute walk,” he says. Originally the province of powerful Victorian-era politicians and business owners, Eckington later became a stronghold of D.C.’s African-American middle class. These days, it’s a magnet for anyone looking to eschew the Beltway ‘burbs and find fixer-uppers and freshly renovated homes in a cool, urban spot just a 10-minute drive from Capitol Hill.

The Houses
Most are brick Federal, Queen Anne, or Colonial Revival rowhouses. We found a renovated six-bedroom 1913 Colonial Revival rowhouse for $249,000. Of the renovations-needed ilk: a four-bedroom brick Victorian-era rowhouse, with a turret, for $345,000.

Why Buy Here?
Government offices have opened around the five-year-old Florida Ave/New York Ave metro stop that’s just a stone’s throw from Eckington. Newly opened restaurants and clubs near the revitalized Atlas District give residents plenty of entertainment options, too. “It’s being discovered as an affordable place to buy a house in D.C.,” adds local Realtor Michelle Buckman, “and there’s a lot of renovating going on.”

Among the best for: The Northeast, City Living, First-Time Buyers, Victorians,Rowhouses, Easy Commute, Walkability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Les Christie, staff writer

CNN Money.com has put together a list of the most and least afforable cities to buy a house in. In this depressed market, buying is afforable again.

Most Afforable Cities:
1. Indianapolis, Indiana
2. Youngstown, Ohio
3. Syracuse, New York
4. Warren, Michigan
5. Detroit, Michigan

Least Affordable Cities
1. New York, New York
2. San Francisco, California
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Los Angeles, California
5. Santa Ana, California

Here is the Link to the Article.