On August 28th, 2003, I became the proud owner of my very own home! This great little house is a Sears Roebuck Catalog original. Constructed in 1928, the one-story version of the "Hamilton" originally could be had for the princely sum of $2173.00. I was very fortunate to be able to buy the house from friends who really loved the house.
One of the things that makes the house extra special is that no major alterations have been made to the interior or exterior of the house. Almost all of the features found in the Sears catalog still exist in the house. It also has been very well-cared for over the years.
Inside, you'll find a open layout that feels spacious thanks to the nine-foot tall ceilings. The rooms all boast hardwood floors and wood trim (like picture rail) that you don't find in a house many times its size--old or new. It has a lot of character and it's quite unique for a boomtown suburb like Novi although there is another Sears house (different model) right up the street and an 1890's farm house two houses south of us. We have a lot of character on our road!
Most of the photos posted here are from the first day I owned the house and before I had moved anything into the house. Since that time, things have changed quite a bit both inside and outside. These changes include the loss of some of the large pine trees in front of the house due to disease. While it did mean a loss of privacy and protection against winter winds, it has meant that many more people have had a chance to see the house.
As I noted, I was fortunate to get the house in very good condition with many of the original features intact. Still, like any old house, repair and maintenance are part of the normal course of ownership. When making repairs, we've tried to maintain the integrity of the house and stay true to the historic character of the house. We're "refreshed" almost all of the rooms upstairs with new paint. In some rooms, we went classic. In others, we went bolder, like the breakfast nook. We also have added shelving and repurposed furniture like an old library card catalog to make up for the limited storage that often comes with homes of this era.
Recent home improvement projects have included:
One of these days, I'll get some more photos of the house posted. I hope you've enjoyed the visit!
We've had a number of contractors do work on our house. All the ones listed below are contractors we can recommend. We always look for contractors who have experience working with old homes. This helps ensure you get someone who will respect the integrity of your home and will give you a reasonable bid knowing the challenges that come with old house repair. Always check a contractor's references, listing with the Better Business Bureau, licenses, insurance and get everything in writing. We've only had good experiences but that's because we didn't cut corners on our homework. We also insisted that they pull permits when necessary. Many contractors won't pull permits unless you ask them to do it. It's an extra cost but it's extra protection for you and usually required by law. There's a million homeowner horror stories about bad contractors. Don't be one of them!
If you use any of these contractors, let them know we sent you!
Last updated: March 31, 2011
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