So, you’ve been seduced by vintage charm. The crown molding! The original floors! The storybook porch! I see you. Buying a historic home can feel like falling in love with the perfect antique – full of character, details you just don’t see anymore, and a whole lot of history.

But before you start dreaming about restoring that clawfoot tub or showing off your brick chimney on Instagram, let’s take a breath and talk real-world stuff. Because buying a historic home isn’t quite like buying your standard suburban build. It comes with its own rules, surprises, and, yes – budget considerations.

Here’s what you need to know before you sign the dotted line.

Owning a historic home means you are saying “yes” to more than a roof and four walls. You are agreeing to protect architectural features that might be 50, 100, or even 150+ years old. That often includes:

• Restoring original wood sash windows (goodbye, budget-friendly vinyl).
• Keeping plaster walls, antique fixtures, and hand-carved wood trim.
• Matching historic paint colors or finishes during updates.

Basically, modern shortcuts are often off the table. And those charming details? They cost real money to maintain.

Love an open floor plan? Want to throw in some sliding glass doors or add central air? Not so fast.

If the home is officially designated historic (or falls in a preservation district), you’ll likely need to apply for permits before making any changes that affect the exterior – and sometimes even the interior. That means:

• No knocking down walls without approval
• No replacing windows without a nod from the preservation board
• And no surprise additions in the backyard

Even things like roofing materials and paint colors can be restricted, depending on where the property is located.

Historic homes are unique. That’s part of their charm, but it’s also what makes appraisals tricky. With fewer “comparable” homes in the area, lenders might struggle to determine the right value. That can mean:

• Lower-than-expected appraisals
• Extra lender requirements
• Longer approval timelines
• Needing to work with lenders who specialize in historic properties

Bottom line: not every bank is excited to jump into this adventure with you. Be ready to shop around.

This one is important because not every insurer wants to cover a home that requires handcrafted trim work or 19th-century fireplace repair. Even those who do? They’ll likely charge a premium.
Why? Historic homes are more expensive to repair. The craftsmanship is unique, and replacing damaged materials with historically accurate ones can come with a hefty price tag. Not to mention that many insurance carriers require very detailed inspections and stricter underwriting for older homes.

Despite the rules, red tape, and extra costs, buying a historic home can be incredibly rewarding. You are preserving a piece of architectural history. You are joining a special community. And honestly, no cookie-cutter new build can compete with those 10-foot ceilings and hand-carved staircases.

You just need to know what you are getting into before you fall head over heels.

Before you buy a historic home, make sure you:

• Understand what can and can’t be changed
• Budget for specialized repairs and restorations
• Talk to lenders with experience in historic properties
• Get help from an insurance agent or broker (hello!) who knows how to find the right coverage

At Perfect California Insurance, we love helping clients protect their once-in-a-lifetime homes – even the ones with century-old quirks and character. We’ll walk you through what kind of coverage you’ll need and how to keep your historic beauty properly insured.

Want more helpful tips on property insurance? Check out our Property Articles here.