If you are a resident of Hudson County, you may be familiar with the beautiful historic homes of Jersey City. Although they are clearly/visibly older, you may find yourself questioning what makes a home “historic”? In order for a property to be labeled as historic, it must have the three essential attributes which are: sufficient age, a relatively high degree of physical integrity, and historical significance. If a property has all three attributes, homes that are less than 50 years old can also be considered historic.
If you happen to find yourself in Jersey City, be sure to check out these popular historic homes located at 74 Sherman Place, 912 Summit Ave, and 918 Summit Ave; these homes were built between 1875 and1885!
Check out some of the work we’ve performed on historical homes within Jersey City, NJ:
Now that you’re familiar with the local historic homes of Jersey City, you may find yourself searching for your very own historic home! Getting the opportunity to own a piece of history may seem enticing, but it is important to note that historical homes require a certain level of upkeep in order to keep them both visually aesthetically pleasing, and to keep the local historic home district happy, too.
Many people are unaware that historical homes are under certain restrictions and limitations when it comes to making changes. Historical homes are registered under historic districts, which can be on a federal, state, or local level. Here in Jersey City, historic homes are designated under local historic districts which means that certain permits are required for any work that affects the exterior of your home. For example, if you called us here at Elite to replace the roof on your historic home, we would need to obtain all the necessary permits before being able to start. Because of the time span that it takes to obtain these permits, urgent repairs are often a major concern for homeowners.
It is important to keep in mind that any renovations done on a historic home will cost you significantly more than a regular home as they only allow historically authentic materials to be used during a job. For example, older homes tend to have slate roofs and local limitations will only allow you to re-roof with slate, which can be extremely expensive in today's economy. In addition to any necessary repairs, local districts often require the homeowner to regularly maintain their property up to community standards.
Now that you’re familiar with the general requirements of owning a historic home, you should make yourself familiar with the Rules & Regulations for Alterations & Additions to Buildings & New Construction in Historic Districts. If you would like the full in-detail report of what is exactly needed, be sure to check out https://p1cdn4static.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6189660/File/City%20Hall/Planning%20&%20Zoning/City_Planning/HPC/JCHPC%20Preservation%20Guidelines%20_%20New%20Maps.pdf for more information regarding your specific project.
After you purchase your very own historic property and happen to notice any repairs that are necessary, you’ll first want to obtain the correct permits. Oftentimes your chosen roofing company will be able to assist you in this process as most local companies have experience with working with these situations. First, you’ll want to submit an application form for the JERSEY CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION within the Division of City Planning based in Jersey City, NJ. This application will ask you for your proposed plans, the type of property, as well as any obtained federal grants, etc.
It is also important to note that historic homes often have a hard time obtaining regular homeowners insurance due to the costly nature of repairs. Luckily, insurance for historic homes does exist, but just like anything else historic, will cost you more.
The bottom line is if you are looking into purchasing a historic home, you’ll need to prepare yourself for all the necessary steps in order to maintain it. Historic homes can be a lifelong investment, but you'll need to be ready to put time and effort into it. Lastly, by purchasing a historic home, you’re joining a community committed to historical preservation which can be a make or break for some people.
If you decide to purchase your very own historical home here in Hudson County, be sure to give us a call at (201)436-1011, or shoot us an email at eliteroofinginc@hotmail.com for any of your historical repairs/restoration needs! If you have any questions regarding the permit process or general questions about your home, give our office a call!
Comments