I know, me too! When I hear “50’s ranch”, my thoughts turn to small, long boxes with little to no personality – Tired old homes in tired old neighborhoods. Well my friends, maybe it is time to re-think how we view these old classics and all they have to offer . . . while there are still some available in their original condition! I know, you’re thinking, “Why would I want to buy something like that when I can get a “Brand New” home for so little right now – with all the things I want already there?” (Hardwoods, Granite Counter-tops, and Stainless appliances, just to name a few . . .) Why indeed? Here are a few things you may not have considered – things that may have you (like me) Raving about Ranches!
1 – Convenience and Quality of Life
Ranches (especially those from the late 50s to early 70s) in the North Fulton area were often built as part of the expansion of Roswell or Alpharetta. While they may have been on the “outskirts” of town back then, now they are part of the heart of these cities and their cultural activities. In both Roswell and Alpharetta you can find wonderful examples of the 50’s -70’s ranch within a half mile of the downtown shops and restaurants – well within walking distance! As we all turn our focus to our personal health and the health of the environment around us, the idea of not needing the car to enjoy a great dinner out, unique shopping, or seasonal festivals suddenly seems very inviting!
2 – Room to breathe
Despite being “intown”, many of these homes are situated on large, often flat homesites. This is because 40-50 years ago, people were accustomed to living on larger pieces of land. It is not at all unusual to find these homes on acre plus lots. In addition, many of these homes now have trees that are 50+ years old (See the pics of the GIANT oaks in the picture section), in neighborhoods that are lined with these mature beauties and have azaleas the size of Buicks growing under them! The story gets even better when you look at the ranches that were built farther north in Fulton and south Forsyth. We found one today that was on almost 3 acres of gorgeous land with 60′ tall hardwoods and a beautiful creek running through the backyard. Think about that the next time you can hear your neighbor’s teenager blasting music through his window that is only 30 feet away from yours!
3 – Problems you can fix – While having fun!
Okay, back to the problems. Yes, ranches of this age are often small . . with low ceilings. They often have old appliances, and old worn out HVAC systems. The bedrooms tend to be small, and often there seems to be a bathroom (or two) missing. This can often be true of the 50s variety – but by the 70’s this had changed and you can often find secondary bedrooms that are much larger than in today’s new construction homes. However, as for the other issues, you’re right. Low ceilings, boxy spaces, worn out appliances and systems are very frequently a part of the package. But before you write them off, ponder this: Most new homes are built with a “truss” system for the roof, meaning that almost all of the interior walls are load bearing and the attic space is not available for expansion. This was not true when our old classics were being built – which very often allows for ceilings to be raised, walls to be removed, and spaces to be expanded (Please remember, these projects should only be conducted after verifying that it is structurally safe to do so by a qualified structural engineer.) We were able to take some great pics of a home near downtown Alpharetta where this has been done – it looks great – and it is available right now! Stainless and Granite are abundant and very cost friendly right now, as are the materials needed for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Remember, expanding and updating an older home is relatively easy, making a new homesite bigger, flatter, or adding mature trees is very difficult! Oh, and about the hardwoods . . . In the late 60’s and early 70’s there was this new decorating trend that was all the rage – wall to wall carpet. It was the hottest thing you’ve ever seen, and everyone had to have it. Companies made fortunes selling it door to door, and then installing it right over the old floor. Guess what the most common flooring was at that time . . . 3/4 inch, tongue and groove, old growth HARDWOOD! So many people have bought these old gems, pulled up the carpet, and found an undiscovered treasure beneath their feet!
4 – It’s all yours
Finally, one of the best things about these old homes is the ability to put your signature on them. Think of them as a clean slate, waiting for your personal tastes to transform them over time into something unique that represents who you are and what is important to you. In today’s economic environment, we are all beginning to see houses as our parents and grandparents did – not as a commodity to be traded every few years, but as that place where we put down our roots, invest in the community around us, and make the history of our lives . . . in a word, home.
Re-thinking that old ranch? Interested in exploring some options? Click the links to search for great ranches near you.
If you really want to see Classic Atlanta Ranches – these are in the Fernbank area of Atlanta
Need to know how much your current house is worth? Getting started is easy, we’re never more than a phone call away. We sure would love to help, in fact, it’s one of our favorite things!