Vintage Honolulu Homes!
March 30th, 2008 categories: Buying Honolulu Real Estate, Reasons To Sell
Character, charm, handcraftsmanship and beauty these all describe the vintage homes in Honolulu. It seems there is love affair with these, sometimes quirky, cottages, Cape Cods and Victorian houses. Most were built between the 1920’s and 1950. Occasionally, I find one that was built even before the birth of the Territory of Hawaii. Drive to Aleo Street in Manoa and you will find a large Victorian with a classic round turret, that was first built in the early 1890’s. The original house had 6 bedrooms and no bathrooms (outhouses were the rage back then)! If you know where to look, you will find that there are many of these historic homes in the core of Honolulu.
Just remember how development occurred in Honolulu real estate. It started at the Honolulu Harbor then moved mauka and toward Hawaii Kai, which is to say Liliha, Nuuanu, Makiki, Moilili, Manoa, Kapahulu and Kaimuki. It is no surprise that these areas are full of examples of classic homes. Many are being torn down and replaced with “mcmansions”, some are enjoying loving restorations and others are hoping a renaissance remodeler will breath new life into them. It is interesting to note that many of the finest local architects at now mimicking their fit & finish, style and layout, however, you can expect to pay $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 for a new home that carries the marks of the original.
What can you expect to find in these aging beauties? Remember these were built at a time that workmanship was at a premium. High ceilings (9 to 11 feet) and extreme pitches in rooflines make it naturally cool (can you say green home?). Wood floors (usually under carpet!) of either old growth fur (with single planks running the full length of a room), oak or the somewhat rare ohia. Crown moldings, picture moldings, wanes coating and elegant baseboards. Wide exterior eves, stone foundations, great front porches with polished concrete floors and double hung windows throughout. Most have exterior siding that have perfectly mitered corners. Someone has taken the time to make rounded doors, or added an architectural affect to the end of each rafter. Fixtures are vintage and many 
times worth saving. My first house in Kaimuki had a hand painted glass dome covering a light bulb in my daughter’s room. Many times you can find original appliances that look like they belong in a museum. I could go on and on and on, but you get the point that these can be very special homes.
What is the downside to these homes? Two words sum it up…work and money! Many contractors do not want to take the time to deal with remodeling to the standards of these homes. So they will either not want to do the work or they will give you an astronomical bid. You should expect to re-plumb (estimated at $5,000 to $12,000), re-wire and upgrade the size of the electrical service ($7,000 to $15,000), then there are new roofs, floor refinishing, interior & exterior paint, landscaping, new appliances, re-working of double hung windows, fixing termite damage and so on. All of this requires craftsmen that are willing to take the time to bring the life back to your home. However, in the end, you will end up with a jewel that will have additional value because of its being vintage and the beauty you have 
renewed. Also, if done appropriately, you may be able to get your home on the historic register and save a significant amount on your property taxes.
Now comes the investment side of the deal. I can’t put a number on it, but I can tell you that these homes are sought after and will generally bring more than a comparable modern home. Going to the theory that real estate is a long term investment, as they age, their investment value should outperform the rest of the market due to their increasing scarcity and superior locations. Location, location, location is the old saying, since these homes were in the first group to be built in Honolulu, they had the first choice of locations and it is no wonder that most of them are in terrific and desirable places. Go forth, find that diamond in the rough, put your sweat and money into it and you will not only have an awesome long term investment, but your home will be living a piece of art to be enjoyed each and everyday. When your time is up, then you will know you have done your part to pass on a pristine part of Honolulu’s history. 
