What's old is new again

A rising trend among home buyers, and subsequently builders, is a house that looks and feels reminiscent of the homes of yesteryear.

Via Builder Magazine and USA Today

New homes are starting to acquire the vintage home sensibility. A recent article in USA Today titled "Downsizing the American Dream: The shrinking house" reported on the emerging trend on new construction.

As it turns out, home buyers are in the market for something smaller than the large homes we see today.

The median home size in America was near 2,300 square feet at the peak of the market in 2007, with many McMansions topping 10,000.

Today, the median home size has dropped to about 2,100 square feet and more than one-third of Americans say their ideal home size is actually under 2,000 square feet, according to a survey by real-estate site Trulia.

"The whole glow of bigness kind of wore off all of a sudden," said Sarah Susanka, an architect and the author of The Not So Big House book series.

Not only size, but the proliferation of rooms, such as formal living and dining rooms, as well as dedicated rooms like media/game rooms and libraries/offices are falling out of favor with buyers.

In its place trend watchers are seeing home that our grandparents would have built: Modest in size, functional, efficient and comfortable.

It's not just the inside of the house that's changing, it's the outside, too. The yards are smaller, with many developments favoring shared green spaces over big private yards.

And, the front porch is back. Builders are increasingly moving the garage to the back of the house and adding a big porch on the front.

Seeing a big porch through the dining room, and a shared green space beyond that adds to the illusion that you are getting more — and it makes you want to get out there and reconnect with your neighbors.

As long-time aficionados of vintage homes, we have always known that there is more to an older home than just a look. There is a purpose and function behind the look, and now it seems we are appreciating those old sensibilities anew. 

Find and prevent electrical fire dangers

Some electrical fire dangers are hidden inside the walls, but if you know the warning signs, you can keep an electrical fire from happening in your home.

Most homeowners know that overloading circuits and using frayed extension cords can lead to electrical fires. But there are other electrical fire dangers in your home that, while they may not be as obvious, are no less dangerous.

According to the most recent data from the National Fire Protection Association, electrical failure or malfunction caused an estimated 52,500 fires in U.S. homes in 2006, resulting in 340 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and nearly $1.5 billion in property damage. Here are warning signs of four potential hazards that you may not know about. If any of them sound familiar, consider hiring a licensed electrician to conduct a wiring inspection ($200 to $300).

Hidden danger #1: Old wiring

The lifespan of an electrical system is 30 to 40 years. But more than 30% of the nation's houses-some 30 million homes-are more than 50 years old. "Older homes with fuses were set up for about 30 amps of power; many homes now have 100, 150, even 200 amps of power," says John Drengenberg, consumer safety director for Underwriters Laboratories, which conducted a study of aging residential wiring.

Warning signs of inadequate power include circuit breakers that trip or fuses that blow repeatedly, and an over-reliance on extension cords. "They're meant to be temporary," Drengenberg says. "If you have extension cords routed all over, it's time to get an electrician out there. Your home would not comply with the National Electrical Code."

Hidden danger #2: Aluminum wiring

Many houses built in the 1960s and early 1970s have aluminum wiring, which oxidizes and corrodes more easily than copper and has been linked by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to electrical fires.

"It's okay for a while, but it doesn't have the life that copper does, particularly where wires terminate. The terminals and splices are known for overheating," says Roger L. Boyell, a forensic engineer in Moorestown, N.J.

Protect your home from termite damage

Termite damage

(ARA) - As Americans head outside to tend to their lawns and repair their houses, it's just as important to consider what might be happening out of sight, deep inside the home.

Termites, which are found in every state except Alaska, live in colonies that eat continuously. These wood-destroying pests eat homes from the inside out, making their presence difficult to detect.

Termites annually cause more than $5 billion in damage, and the destruction termites cause is not normally covered by homeowners insurance, leaving owners to pay an average of $3,000 in out-of-pocket costs for repairs, according to Terminix.

"In most cases, it's easy to tell when a house is in need of repair. Either the paint is chipping or the roof is leaking. But that's not usually the case with termite activity," says Paul Curtis, a Terminix entomologist. "Because termites are often active in the least visible areas of a home, it can be difficult for the homeowner to tell whether they have a termite problem or not."

Usually, homeowners will only be able to tell they have a termite infestation during swarm season. That's when winged, reproductive termites leave their colonies and establish new ones.

A swarm can be identified by the large number of flying termites and by the discarded wings they often leave near doors and windows.

"Termites do not discriminate. They eat wooden framing, support beams and the wood flooring inside your home the same way they would a tree in the forest," Curtis says.

5 tips for deciphering your home loan's good-faith estimate

By G. M. Filisko - Knowing how to read your good-faith estimate can help you save money on your home loan.

When you're shopping for a mortgage loan, it's sometimes hard to understand the jargon lenders use in the good-faith estimate explaining the costs and fees you'll pay when taking out a mortgage.

Via Flickr: billaday

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender has three days to give you a good-faith estimate of the fees and interest rate you'll pay, as well as other loan terms. Here are five tips for using the new three-page form to your advantage.

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender has three days to give you a good-faith estimate of the fees and interest rate you'll pay, as well as other loan terms. Here are five tips for using the new three-page form to your advantage.

Know which fees can increase and by how much

In the past, lenders provided an estimate of the costs involved in getting your home loan, and if those costs rose by the time you closed on your home, tough luck. The good-faith estimate shows some fees the lender can't change, like the loan origination fee that you pay to get a certain interest rate (commonly called points) and transfer costs.

The form also lists the charges that can increase by up to 10%, like some title company fees and local government recording fees. The lender must cover any increase over that amount.

Finally, the good-faith estimate lists the fees that can change without any limit, such as daily interest charges.

Look for answers to basic loan questions
In the summary section, lenders explain your loan's terms in simple language. Can your interest rate rise? If so, a lender must spell out how much the rate can jump and what your new payment would be if it does. Can the amount you owe the lender increase, even if you make your payments on time? If it can, a lender must show you the potential increase.

Evaluate the "tradeoffs" on a loan
In the new "tradeoff table," you can ask lenders to provide details on the tradeoffs you can make in choosing among home loans. If you'd like the same loan with lower settlement charges, how will the interest rate change? If you'd like a lower interest rate, how much will your settlement charges increase?

How to assess the real cost of a fixer-upper house

By G. M. Filisko - When you buy a fixer-upper house, you can save a ton of money, or get yourself in a financial fix.

Via Flickr: JC-Pics

Trying to decide whether to buy a fixer-upper house? Follow these seven steps, and you'll know how much you can afford, how much to offer, and whether a fixer-upper house is right for you.

Decide what you can do yourself

TV remodeling shows make home improvement work look like a snap. In the real world, attempting a difficult remodeling job that you don't know how to do will take longer than you think and can lead to less-than-professional results that won't increase the value of your fixer-upper house.

• Do you really have the skills to do it? Some tasks, like stripping wallpaper and painting, are relatively easy. Others, like electrical work, can be dangerous when done by amateurs.
• Do you really have the time and desire to do it? Can you take time off work to renovate your fixer-upper house? If not, will you be stressed out by living in a work zone for months while you complete projects on the weekends?

Price the cost of repairs and remodeling before you make an offer

• Get your contractor into the house to do a walk-through, so he can give you a written cost estimate on the tasks he's going to do.
• If you're doing the work yourself, price the supplies.
• Either way, tack on 10% to 20% to cover unforeseen problems that often arise with a fixer-upper house.

Check permit costs

• Ask local officials if the work you're going to do requires a permit and how much that permit costs. Doing work without a permit may save money, but it'll cause problems when you resell your home.
• Decide if you want to get the permits yourself or have the contractor arrange for them. Getting permits can be time-consuming and frustrating. Inspectors may force you to do additional work, or change the way you want to do a project, before they give you the permit.
• Factor the time and aggravation of permits into your plans.

Doublecheck pricing on structural work

If your fixer-upper home needs major structural work, hire a structural engineer for $500 to $700 to inspect the home before you put in an offer so you can be confident you've uncovered and conservatively budgeted for the full extent of the problems.

Get written estimates for repairs before you commit to buying a home with structural issues.
Don't purchase a home that needs major structural work unless:

1. You're getting it at a steep discount
2. You're sure you've uncovered the extent of the problem
3. You know the problem can be fixed
4. You have a binding written estimate for the repairs

Check the cost of financing

Be sure you have enough money for a downpayment, closing costs, and repairs without draining your savings.

10 steps to a perfect exterior paint job

As we descend further into Fall, the days are running short on opportunities to give your home a new, exterior paint job. If you are planning on giving a fresh coat of paint before the rainy season, here are a number of things you will want to keep in mind.

Via Flickr: Ross

A good exterior paint job isn't cheap, but done right, it can easily last 10 or more years. To get the most for your money, follow these steps.

At first glance, the days of wood home exteriors seem long gone. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, homes with wood siding comprise less than 10% of all new residential construction, the lowest usage of any exterior material.

But if you've got wood siding, there's a solid, money-in-the-bank reason why you'd want to repaint rather than switch to fiber-cement, brick, or vinyl. In the short term, repainting or staining costs less. A mid-range vinyl siding replacement project will cost you around $10,000, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report. By comparison, hiring a pro to repaint the same 2,000-square-foot, two-story house costs $4,000 to $6,000.

True, if you're planning to stay in your house for a long time, you'll have to spend that money again. But properly applied, exterior paint can easily last 10 years or longer. The key to a successful job is in the preparation. Here are the steps to take to make sure you get perfect results.

Step 1: Check for lead paint
Beginning April 22, 2010, all paint contractors must observe EPA regulations for lead-safe practices and be certified to perform this work. The rule applies to houses built before 1978, when lead paint was banned for residential use, especially those that are occupied by children. (Do-it-yourselfers are exempt.)

To protect against airborne lead particles, contractors must take steps to keep paint dust to a minimum: collecting scrapings, cleaning with a HEPA vacuum, wearing masks and Tyvek suits, and disposing of all materials at an approved hazardous materials site.

The first step is to initiate the process with a lead paint test (homeowner kits are available for $10 to $15 online or at paint and hardware stores). Following the new rules will add as much as 10% to 20% to the cost of a contracted paint job. But since many contractors are still unaware of the regulation, costs will vary widely.

Visalia offers great market for vintage homes

When it comes to vintage homes currently on the market, Visalia seems to be the place in Tulare County to find the cream of the crop.

Well maintained with nice landscaping and good neighborhoods, they range in age from 1900 to the 1920s.
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To find your perfect vintage home, or any great home in Tulare County, call Ruben Olguin, (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao, (559) 799-9165, to see the best on the market.

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And don't be fooled by some of their humble exteriors. Inside they feature substantial square footage, lots of amenities and plenty of charm. Here's a look at the top five:

415  W. Race Ave,  Visalia, listed at $94,000.

5) 415  W. Race Ave. - This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home was built in 1917. It has 1,864 square feet of living space with brickwork throughout.

700 S. Court St. Visalia, listed at $95,000.

4) 700 S. Court St. - This two-story home has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms in 1,928 square feet. This home was built  1910.

407  NE 1st Ave,  Visalia, listed at $109,900.

3) 407  NE 1st Ave. - This turn-of-the-century single story home features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. The home is more than 1,700 square feet and features many of the amenities you would expect from a vintage home, such as a large front porch and wood cabinetry.

707  W. Myrtle Ave., Visalia, listed at $119,000.

2) 707  W. Myrtle Ave. - This 3 bedroom, 1.75 bathroom is well maintained. The 1,552-square-foot home features the original and beautifully maintained hardwood floors.

509  N. Locust St,  Visalia, listed at $170,000.

1) 509  N Locust St. - This vintage home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms inside 1,291 square feet. The home was built in 1901.

Vintage interior design --The perfect nostalgic look for the modern world

Vintage interior design is a really popular look -- and rightly so -- it is a really relaxed, traditional style -- warm and comfortable in feel, and very easy to achieve -- and to live with!

In the loosest sense, a vintage interior design scheme is just a look that is old – traditional, classic styling.

In a stricter sense, ‘vintage’ refers to the 1940’s and 1950’s – an era of hope and new beginnings!

Via Flickr: Tilton Lane

In many ways, the 1940’s and 1950’s were a safer, simpler time – a slower, more relaxed pace of life … you could leave your back door unlocked, while you popped down to the shops! Family and the home were a very important focus to life – and this led to a very comforting and welcoming feel to vintage home decor and interior design.

The vintage era is a period that most people can actually remember – either from their own childhood (or even adult life) or at least from the home of their grandparents. This is a very nostalgic look and feel. It will recreate comforting memories and emotions from childhood – feelings of comfort and safety.

This is an easy, relaxed feel – there are no strict rules to getting your vintage interior design look – only a few simple guidelines to follow:
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To find your perfect vintage home, or any great home in Tulare County, call Ruben Olguin, (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao, (559) 799-9165, to see the best on the market.

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After the War, people did have to ‘make-do and mend’. They used old furniture, from all different eras – fine antiques and family heirlooms, handed down through the generations, and simpler pieces, that were made over and repaired. So, feel free to mix and match all kinds of traditional furniture pieces in your vintage decorating scheme.

Look out for loads of hand-made goodies too – such as patchwork quilts, made from pretty scraps and fabric remnants.

A vintage interior design style is definitely not an expensive look to try in your home. Scour antique stalls and flea markets for solid, quality items – the slightly worn look will enhance the ‘pre-loved’ charm of the unique pieces.

If you find furniture in different styles and different types of wood, why not try painting all your furniture pieces in white, or a colored paint. Try going for a deliberately distressed look, by applying wax to edges and corners that would wear naturally. Paint over the top, then rub down these areas, and create your own ‘genuine,’ distressed and worn look.

Gorgeous Tudor Revival in Visalia

5820  W. Harter Ct. Visalia, listed at $349,000

Come tour this beautifully maintained 4 bedroom, 3 bath Tudor Revival in Gold Creek in southwest Visalia. It is the perfect home to raise a family.

This 2,665-square-foot home will be open from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, and 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Don't miss it! The home is at 5820 W. Harter Court. The nearest cross street is Cottonwood.

The kids can do their homework in the breakfast area while mom and dad prepare lunch in the open, upgraded kitchen.

After lunch everyone, family and friends, can enjoy the private backyard patio and sparkling pool. This is family living at its best.

Fresh paint and flooring throughout. There is a built-in entertainment center in the spacious family room with strategically placed speakers inside and out.

Your guests can enjoy a private guest bedroom and bath downstairs while you enjoy the privacy of the upstairs Master suite. Comfort and style from the moment you walk in the front door. Seeing is appreciating.

Stop by, or call Ruben Olguin at (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao at (559) 799-9165 today!

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Experience counts

Experience does count when it comes to buying and selling homes. Like us, you've seen homes that are "for sale by owner" languish on the market for a long time.

Via Flickr: Casey Serin

In 2009, a typical property without professional assistance sold for $172,000 compared with $215,000 for the typical agent-assisted property. Sellers are more likely to generate competitive bids by working with a professional.

Today’s market challenges are prompting more sellers to work with a real estate agent than ever before.

According to the National Association of Realtors® 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, “for-sale-by-owner” transactions dropped to a record low 11 percent. And in almost half of those sales, the owners sold their home to someone they already knew.

Navigating the increasingly complex real estate transaction is much easier when sellers have professional help. The decline in unrepresented sellers indicates a growing awareness of how complicated the current market is.
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To find your perfect vintage home, or any great home in Tulare County, call Ruben Olguin, (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao, (559) 799-9165, to see the best on the market.

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More than anyone, sellers understand how tough this market has been over the past few years. The drop in for-sale-by-owner transactions illustrates the value consumers place on Realtors® as the first, best source for real estate information and insights – they know that Realtors® can help them reach their real estate goals.

Today’s sellers must compete not only with their fellow homeowners who are selling, but also with the increased inventory of distressed properties offered in short sales or foreclosures. In addition, unrepresented sellers face myriad marketing disadvantages.

Remodeling a vintage kitchen

By Carrol Wagner - Preservation of old homes is a favorite conversation of owners of vintage homes but rarely do you hear talk about a kitchen restored to its former glory.  These beautiful historical homes we have grown to love and appreciate, did not have the kind of kitchens we expect today.  Historical kitchens today are antiquated, inefficient and poorly laid out.

Via Flickr: Abbey Hendrickson

In a typical prewar model, kitchens were work areas plain and simple.  Everything in the kitchens were freestanding from the huge cast iron stove, the sink on porcelain legs, the icebox and a table that doubled as a workspace.

Those that were modernized in the 1950s, '60s, or '70s often held even less appeal than the ones before. The countertop, flooring, and ceiling materials in them were no match visually as the hardwoods, linoleum's, and metals they replaced. Appliances were disappointing at best with their dismal colors.

Today, we want to capture the flavor of the kitchens we imagine our great-grandparents loved and enjoyed. Homey, warmth and filled with the aroma of good cooking. Fortunately, replicating the mood of a vintage kitchen in an existing space has never been easier. As demand for kitchen accessories with a patina of age has grown, so has the availability of period materials.

Keys to a great custom estate

Lots available in Elderwood for private estates.

One of the appeals of building your dream home away from the hustle and bustle of city life is the opportunity to add your personal style to every element of the home and property.

There's nothing cookie cutter about a private estate. It really is a blank canvass. And if that is what you are looking for, there are many great sites for that dream home of your own.

But building a custom home, especially away from the city presents its own unique set of challenges. Here are some of the things you will want to consider when building a home from scratch:

Location: As with any real estate decision, location is a key factor. Not only will it be a determining consideration of value now, but also well into the future. When building on acreage outside of the city be sure you know what other development may be planned for the future. In our area you will want to know what kind of farm activity is in the vicinity, and if there are plans for change or expansion.

Site improvements: Is the site ready for construction? How much will it cost to prepare it for construction and the other improvements you will need to make it acceptable to you? You will likely want to consult a contractor as part of your buying decision.

Topography: Part of what it will take the make the site construction ready will depend on its topography. But you will also want to consider the topography for other reasons. Depending on the elevation, rain or snow may become a factor in your happiness with the site. Hilltop sites are susceptible to breezes and gusts of wind. Sites on flatland near row crops can also be subject to dusty breezes. Imagine what it will be to live on site through all the seasons.

There are many other considerations we would be happy to walk you through. There are plenty of open sites to choose from, so give us a call. Call Ruben Olguin (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao (559) 799-9165.

Smart buyer in 5 easy steps

Owning a home is a big responsibility. So as you can imagine, there are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to making the decision to buy. Here are some of the questions you will need to answer along the way.
 

Unique northwest Visalia home listed at $435,000

Rent vs. buy
If you are coming from a rental it makes sense to do a rent versus buy analysis. Taking a look at the cost of upkeep compared to the tax savings is one thing. You also have to consider some of the intangible benefits, such as having a space of your own.

Real Estate professional
Selecting your real estate professional is an important decision. This is the person who will be guiding you through a complex process. You need to know that their experience and expertise will serve your best interests.

Need versus want
Your real estate agent can help you complete a needs analysis that will help narrow down the kind of home would be best for you. By writing down your wants and needs,  along with your goals and a timeline will help you focus on the right types of properties for you..

Get pre-approved
Take the guesswork out of what you can and can't afford to buy. By getting pre-approved for a home loan, you will be able to focus on the best home in your price range.

What's on the market
There are hidden gems in every community. Keep an open mind about your house hunt. There's potential around every corner, and your agent will help you find it because he or she is talking with other agents all the time.

For more information and pictures of the home shown above, click here. Call Ruben Olguin (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao (559) 799-9165.

Home Decorating Ideas - Cottage Style Decor Defined

When you envision the perfect home interior ambiance does it include the adjectives simple, light filled, vintage and comfortable? If so, you might be a candidate for Cottage Style decor! You don't have to reside in a literal cottage to incorporate this design theme into your lifestyle. The fundamentals of cottage style decor are not difficult to implement and can be easy on the budget, too.

Color scheme
The color scheme you select should be light overall for most types of cottage style decorating. A healthy dose of white along with soft shades of green, pink, blue, yellow, aqua and rose will set the cottage tone.  If your taste lends more toward a rustic cottage look, you may incorporate more golds and medium shades of green into your decor.  Use these colors on your walls, and don't hesitate to vary the colors from room to room. Keep the shades soft and light, and you can transition beautifully from room to room, keeping the cottage theme prevalent.

To add a little bit of drama to the room, use one of your chosen colors in a deep tone for a few accents. For example, if your color scheme includes soft blue, use a bit of navy blue in an area rug, an accent piece, in artwork, etc. Remember to use a light touch and it can make your room even more memorable while maintaining the soft, simple overall look.

Southeast Visalia home on the market

Take a look at this hard-to-find four bedroom, three bath southeast Visalia home.

This immaculate 1,889-square-foot home is two stories and features a three-car garage and a crystal clear swimming pool off of a covered patio.

Listed at $170,000

There is a fireplace in the living room to warm up those cold days. The living room has beautiful wood laminate flooring.

The kitchen has light oak cabinetry, tile counter tops, a center breakfast bar and a large window.

Pride of ownership is evident throughout this home. You will enjoy the mature landscaping in both the front and back yards.

For more information and pictures, click here.

Call the Vintage Home Guys today for an appointment.  
Ruben Olguin (559) 280-9384 or Vince Ingrao (559) 799-9165

Vintage styles: Arts and Crafts homes

Arts and Crafts style home

Arts and Crafts homes by definition are meant to be unique and distinctive. Their design was not meant to be cookie cutter. In fact, they were in part a reaction to the industrial revolution and the mass  production of goods.

As their name implies, the homes were meant to showcase the craftsmanship of the builder.

Some features common to Arts & Crafts homes are their asymmetrical design and complex floor plan. Some have cantilevered second floors, meaning the second story overhangs the first.

They have steep gabled roofs with large porches. They can have gabled dormers (front facing windows that extend out perpendicular to the roof).

Siding includes wood shingles, but they can also feature brick and stucco.

Arts and Crafts home were particularly popular in California, Texas, and Florida.

A guide to getting rid of clutter in your home

(ARA) - You're feeling like the walls are closing in. You're not a hoarder, but you just have too much stuff. It's not that difficult to change your ways. If you want to take control of clutter, get a few boxes, one for each room in your home. Start by organizing one room at a time.

Begin this initiative by removing everything on top of your cabinets, tables and in bookcases and place it all in a box, says Keith McCleary, academic director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of York - Pennsylvania. If there are other random accessories in the room, remove them as well. Keep just the basic furnishings. Now sit with the room in its simplest form for awhile.

"In room design, make good decisions about what you choose to put in the room and, often more importantly, in what you choose to leave out," McCleary says. "Simplicity and clean lines make a room feel livable and that's what it's really all about: comfortable living." Think about the kind of focal point you're trying to create. How should you orchestrate this space and show off your special pieces in terms of size, scale, color and texture?

After a day or two has passed, go back to the box and look for items that define your personality, or will be noticed by guests visiting your home. "Ask yourself: when is enough, enough?" says McCleary. "Each piece of furniture in the room can function to complement. Accessories and works of art should contrast."

Homebuyers happy despite housing ups and downs

With the rollercoaster ride homeowners have taken in recent years - gaining great equity, then losing it, now slowly gaining it back - you might think they are a little sour on home ownership.

But a new poll by Bankrate, Inc., found that 90 percent of homeowners say they don't regret buying their current home.

In fact, the pollsters found that homeowners are much more informed about the mortgage process. Today, only 8 percent said they didn't know what kind of loan they had. That's far better than two years ago when as many as 28 percent said they didn't know.

The poll - conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International for Bankrate - also found that:

Vintage home converted to office in Porterville

• Fixed-rate mortgages are on the upswing. Seventy-nine percent of those polled said they had a fixed-rate loan. 
• Americans making more than $75,000 overwhelmingly preferred fixed-rate mortgages. Almost 90 percent of those who were asked, said they used a fixed-rate mortgage.

You can find happiness to with one of the great deals on the market. Call Ruben Olguin (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao (559) 799-9165 of the Vintage Home Guys today for an appoinment.

Antique stained glass in today's Vintage Home

Vintage homes require appropriate decorations in order to maintain historical accuracy as well as enhance the beauty of the structure.  Many types of period homes can be embellished with the artful use of antique stain glass.  These stunning pieces can be used as windows, skylights and panels throughout the vintage home. 

Stained glass adds style to a vintage home

Leaded glass and antique stain glass are traditionally used as windows in the home.  Sometimes there are windows in vintage homes that have ornate woodwork detailing, and using curtains indoors can create a too-modern feel to the historic details surrounding the windows.  In this instance, homeowners sometimes choose to add an antique leaded stained glass window to the area.  In this way, the view is obscured for privacy, yet the light is allowed into the room, and the brilliant colors of the glass shine in all their glory.  These antique stain glass pieces may encompass the full window or perhaps only the top portion of a clear window, but they add a unique and colorful accent to an already attractive exposure.

For more information on VINTAGE HOMES in Visalia and throughout Tulare County, call Ruben Olguin (559-280-9384) or Vince Ingrao (559-799-9165) - The Vintage Home Guys - for an appointment today.

Another excellent application of antique stained glass in the period home is through the use of skylights.  By using leaded glass in a skylight, the natural light can easily shine through the artwork, setting it off to full advantage.  Skylights made of antique stained glass panels can also be used as accents on the home.  Round or oval-shaped antique leaded stained glass skylights help to break up the many straight lines in the facade of the vintage home, offering additional interest and a focal point.

Well-appointed Mediterranean-style home

Take a look at this beautiful, custom Mediterranean-style home sitting on a completely landscaped acre.

Listed at $435,000

There is a fabulous kitchen with a built in Sub-Zero refrigerator with a gourmet 5-burner range, an enormous granite breakfast bar that leads into an opulent great room.

This home features its own screen room, 2 offices, and a loft/bedroom.

There is an oversized 3-car garage, extensive concrete work, 2 tankless hot water heaters and 2 A/C units.  This is truly a unique home and a must see for any home buyer. See more pictures at Vintage Home Guys.

Call Ruben Olguin for an appointment today - (559) 280-9384.

Vintage homes

Visalia vintage home

Vintage homes - some of them wonderfully cared for over the decades - are what help contribute to Visalia and many of the other Tulare County communities’ rich architectural history.

Most people don’t know how to identify the different styles by sight. They simply refer to them as “that beautiful old home” tucked away on some shady, quiet lane. They are homes that have an appeal all their own.

We are the area’s only vintage home real estate team. That’s why we call ourselves the Vintage Home Guys. We specialize in helping people buy and sell these treasures because we have a deep appreciation for the era they represent, as well as the enduring beauty and value they still hold today.

Are you looking for a bungalow, or maybe a cottage? Are you looking for something truly unique, like a Queen Anne, or maybe an eclectic home? If you are in the market for a vintage home, it will help to know what styles appeal to you, what they are called, and the architectural features that make them unique.

So, how many vintage home styles are there? There are about 20 significant styles, each with their variations. They range from the large Arts & Crafts homes of the 1880s-1920s and the Craftsman-style bungalows of the 1900s that are prevalent in Visalia, to the Tudor revival homes with arched doorways and the open floor plan ranch homes.

Over the coming days we’ll talk about the different styles, including their exterior look, floor plans, and some of the things you will need to know to keep that home in great shape.

Along the way, we’ll also offer good advice about buying, selling, and financing a home, as well as useful tips for creating great curb appeal.