8 Reasons to Buy a Character Home

1. Quality of Construction

Prior to the 1940’s, homes in Montreal were, in general, built with great care and quality materials. Ceiling heights of 9 feet or more, rather than the standard 8 feet seen since that time, are but one outstanding feature. Plaster cornice mouldings, “old-growth” hardwood flooring, solid wood woodwork and decorative beams add beauty to many rooms found in character homes. In newer and renovated homes, solid oak or mahogany mouldings and doors have been replaced by hollow doors and MDF mouldings. To recreate the same quality in newer homes is often cost prohibitive. Compare the thickness of walls, heights of baseboards. These homes were built to last. What’s the famous saying? “They don’t make them like they used to!”

2. Natural Materials

Homes built prior to WWII were built with primarily all-natural products and therefore are less toxic. Older homes were built with solid woods, not compressed particle boards held together with glue and formaldehyde. Subfloors were usually solid wood planks, not chipboard. Beams and frames were solid wood. They are healthier homes. If you choose to increase an older home’s energy efficiency you can do it with the reassurance that you are doing so on a healthy construction base. They often don’t have the toxicity issues found in homes from the 40’s on such as asbestos, which became commonplace after that time.

3. Heritage Neighbourhoods

Location, location, location! Character homes are, quite frankly, in the best neighbourhoods. They are usually located in prime areas close to schools and services. There is a more intimate feel and sense of community in these older, more established communities. Picturesque, tree-lined streets create a backdrop to the variety of architectural styles found in these areas. Heritage neighbourhoods were designed in a pre-car era and therefore designed to be walkable. They were the original ‘walk score’ areas before the app was created.

Overall, heritage neighbourhoods have a quaint, community-based lifestyle that encourage local shopping and community participation. Just think – when Montreal wants to show itself off to the world and have walking tours of the city for tourists, they are of heritage communities.

4. Welcome Home!

It just feels like home! Older homes emit a certain irreplicable sense of warmth and invitingness. Natural materials, fireplaces, and charming colour-palettes create a distinct atmosphere. Homes in these times were designed around the family, and it shows. Older homes have that “Norman Rockwell” feel. It’s already there. It doesn’t need to be added.

5. Investment Quality

Character homes are better long-term investments in our opinion. Not only are they located in the most sought-after areas, but their features are becoming extremely high in demand and becoming increasingly scare (often due to thoughtless renovations!). What happens when demand increases as supply decreases? Prices increase! Additionally, old buildings don’t depreciate the same way new homes do. Imagine you buy a brand-new house today – in 20 years it will be a dated building in need of renovations. However, if you buy an old home today and preserve its original character – in 20 years it will be just as charming. Timeless design.

6. Art and Craftsmanship

Highly skilled craftsmen and artists, who took great pride in their work, contributed to the aesthetic beauty of these homes. In fact, the “Arts & Crafts” architectural style is a celebration of this! There was an appreciation for art and artistic features which were routinely integrated into the design of the home to encourage an appreciation for aesthetic beauty as an integral part of everyday family living on a daily basis.

Hand-placed mosaic tiling, plaster mouldings, flooring inlays, intricate brickwork or hand-made stained glass, these features make these homes living works of art rather than just a roof over your head.

7. Celebrating & Preserving Culture

Montreal’s heritage is strong and unique. Its roots run deep. By living in a character home and area, you experience our history on a daily basis. Be part of history. Connect to the past and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, both in the home and in the community.

Modern architecture is largely a product of globalization. If you see a picture of a modern home, you wouldn’t be surprised if it were located in the United States, Canada, Mexico or Thailand. On the contrary, if you see a picture of an old townhouse in le Plateau, you know it’s a Montreal home and a part of our culture worth preserving.

8. Uniqueness

Character homes come in a plethora of unique architectural styles. Homes weren’t “mass-produced” to the extent they are now. On any given street in an area with many character homes, you might see a diversity of styles, such as Second Empire, Tudor revival, and Arts & Crafts, to name a few. Every feature and detail in these homes was built to be completely true to its architectural style. The appreciation for these features and details is what distinguishes a character homeowner from one who just wants square footage. Character home ownership in Montreal is based on lifestyle, values and appreciation of art.