As I passed the corner of Plymouth and Pennsylvania (over the weekend) I couldn't help but notice two houses in the process of being rehabbed. Both houses, virtually across the street from one another, were thankfully in the process of shedding their asphalt shingles. I couldn't wait to take a look to see what sort of shape the original wood was in. As I snapped a couple of photos, the owner of one of the houses was kind enough to point out the super wide boards that he found under the shingles. And also where the original window lines and details were hidden. He told me that the owners who had decided to put up the shingles actually did the house a favor (as far as the condition of the wood was concerned). Once the asphalt is removed and the wood is scraped, the house can be primed and painted without having to remove years of cruddy paint jobs found on similar mothballed houses. The process is easier than I ever imagined. And in many cases, the asphalt shingled houses are dirt cheap because they are so ugly.
Now that I've seen two examples of what asphalt shingles can do to preserve a house, I will definitely keep a lookout for similar ugly examples found around the city. Where normally a house like this might not be appealing to a potential buyer, I would suggest that he or she look at the cheap look of asphalt in a different way. Not only will the two houses have new leases on life, they will add to the neighborhood immensely. Take a look at them closely... if you passed by these same houses a year ago I bet you never would have paid any attention. Soon, both of these houses will be prime examples as to why there is such a renaissance taking place in historic neighborhoods all along the West Side. The housing stock is there and so are the opportunities. Now we just need more people to open their eyes and look past the same fixable aesthetic flaws that might have prevented them from making wise real estate investments in the past.
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Now that I've seen two examples of what asphalt shingles can do to preserve a house, I will definitely keep a lookout for similar ugly examples found around the city. Where normally a house like this might not be appealing to a potential buyer, I would suggest that he or she look at the cheap look of asphalt in a different way. Not only will the two houses have new leases on life, they will add to the neighborhood immensely. Take a look at them closely... if you passed by these same houses a year ago I bet you never would have paid any attention. Soon, both of these houses will be prime examples as to why there is such a renaissance taking place in historic neighborhoods all along the West Side. The housing stock is there and so are the opportunities. Now we just need more people to open their eyes and look past the same fixable aesthetic flaws that might have prevented them from making wise real estate investments in the past.
![Selling [ Off ] Buffalo](http://www.buffalorising.com/assets_c/2011/02/Central-Art-deco-Buffalo-NY-thumb-145x145-18060.jpg "Selling [ Off ] Buffalo")
Their not my homes....but my opinion for what its worth...
1) No white windows....white was a rarely used color in the period...would have gone with green or brown
2) 2nd floor double hung windows....would have expanded them to the 3'x4' or even 3'x5'. The more natural light the more valuable the home.
3) the bay window to be done probably cheaper and more true to form....should have simply been 3-4 double windows...2 angled at 45 and then 1 or 2 in the center.
4) there were no partial porches....symetry was very important in period designs.
5) Last comment...a minor detail but there is shingle and clapboard....many did the first floor clapboard and the second floor shingle and then different but complementing colors...today...clapboard and shingle are both available in non-wood.
Since you have talked to the owner would you ask the owner what is the cooperation level of the city on this project? How many fees is this owner paying for the chance to improve his property? Will his property taxes be affected by his labor? How cooperative is the inspection process?
Over the last few years the city has been exempting some private homes and condo developments from property taxes. I cannot keep track of them but they have the effect of shifting the cost of city services onto the remaining middle class residents of the city. I would be curious if this homeowner is being given the same exemptions as the just completed waterfront condo development, or the Sycamore Village homes and I am sure that there are more.
Maybe more than you asking this owner, I would like a open discussion in the Buffalo Common Council chambers. I am curious if any the council representatives has an opinion on encouraging individual redevelopment of housing stock.