Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in America. According to some accounts, it is ranked as the 12th oldest city in the nation. For potential homebuyers, this means a very cool offering of finding some really cool historical properties.
There’s a lot of unique and ornate historical architecture around the city of Philadelphia. One of the most recognized areas of history in Philadelphia is the large inventory of classic brick row homes.
Neighborhoods like Society Hill, Queen Village, and Old City feel like stepping back in time. These homes are paired with cobblestone streets. The homes feature impressive Flemish bond brickwork, grand fireplaces, and hand-carved millwork. And it is easy to fall in love with the romantic charm of the Philadelphia row home.
But purchasing a property that was built before the invention of electricity, indoor plumbing, and definitely the most recent building codes requires a lot of knowledge and research about the condition of the property.
Behind the beautiful façade of a historic row home are unique architecture, quirks, aging infrastructure, and maintenance surprises that buyers should be prepared for before closing the deal.
Buying a Row Home in Philadelphia
The aesthetic versus the infrastructure
The biggest area of tension in a row home purchase is the love of old-world aesthetic character and the need for modern convenience in everyday life. Homes were mostly constructed in the 1700s and 1800s in Philadelphia. These houses were first heated by coal or wood and, at night, were lit with gas lamps. Through the decades, row homeowners updated their properties with electricity, central heating, and plumbing.
This forms a hidden puzzle behind the plaster walls. It is not uncommon to find a row home with a mix of knob-and-tube wiring alongside modern Romex. It is very possible to find active plumbing lines running dangerously close to original uninsulated exterior walls. Purchasing a piece of history means purchasing some very interesting upgrades to make houses convenient for daily life.
Being aware of the possibility of hidden leaks
Plumbing is often one of the most common areas of concern in a Philadelphia home. Several of the properties rely on lateral sewer lines made of cast iron or clay. These systems were put into place over a century or more ago. It is not uncommon to find a crack, collapse, or even a pipe infiltrated by a tree root where it connects from the home to the main city system in the street. Checking the condition of the sewer line is done through a mainline sewer scope, which is a specialized inspection process, but absolutely necessary in an older row home.
Learning about historic brick and mortar
The beautiful brick exterior of row houses requires specialized care that today’s homebuyers are often unaware of. Not many houses are built with brick any longer, and they certainly do not have 100s of years-old brick. Houses built in the 18th and 19th centuries utilized soft, porous bricks held together by lime-based mortar. This allowed the façade to breathe and flex with the weather.
A common mistake by today’s contractors is fixing historic brick and mortar with Portland cement. Portland cement is too hard and waterproof. As the bricks shift or moisture gets trapped, the modern cement can crush the soft historic bricks, causing them to spall, flake, and crumble. Fixing the brickwork on a historic route home requires a mason specialized in historic lime mortar preservation. It is worth noting that this is a higher cost compared to modern brick and mortar work.
Working with the historical commission
Homes within the designated historic districts or listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places will be required to run renovation plans through the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
The additional attention helps to protect the architectural integrity of the property and the neighborhood. It keeps property values higher, but also means that there are extra steps to making repairs and upgrades on the property. The commission must approve specific materials, paint colors, and the historical accuracy of the work. This can add time, paperwork, and a hunt for different replacement materials.
Buying a historic home in Philadelphia is a rewarding experience for a buyer who can see the treasure and purpose of the investment. Row homes have a character and soul that modern construction does not offer and cannot replicate. The key to a successful row home purchase is knowing why the row home is special and the specific unique details of what to pay attention to.
FAQ: buying a Philadelphia historic row home
What is a sewer scope and why is it important?
A sewer scope involves running a camera down the main waste line to the city connection. Older homes often have original cast-iron or clay pipes that are prone to cracking or tree root intrusion. This special inspection does cost extra money but is well worth the investment.
Are row homes in Philadelphia drafty?
It depends upon the property. Some homes can be, especially if they are closer to their original construction state than an updated state. A home with original single-pane wood windows can be very drafty.
How can you tell if a house has knob-and-tube electrical wiring?
A good place to look for this is in the basement joists or inside older utility closets. This type of wiring features ceramic knobs to anchor wires and ceramic tubes where wires pass through wood. Many insurance companies will require this wiring to be replaced before they will insure a property.
Will owning a home on the historic register impact interior renovation?
Most of the time, interior renovations are not of concern. The Philadelphia Historical Commission regulates exterior work on the property that is visible from public view. Though it is important to check these factors out with your real estate agent when purchasing a property.
If you’re interested in one of these amazing pieces of Philadelphia history, the team at Victory Real Estate is here to help. We are a boutique real estate agency that specializes in the unique areas of the Philadelphia real estate market.
“Leron is very helpful with answering my questions and is very patient with addressing my concerns. It was nice to have someone who cares very much of his customers.”-review of Victory Real Estate verified by a realtor.com