Thinking about making improvements to your lovely nineteenth or early twentieth century home? The WSNA Historic Survey Committee offers the following tips on what to consider when doing so. These are mostly common sense observations that would be useful to any homeowner anywhere. But they are particularly relevant when determining how to best preserve the unique visual character of an older home and, more broadly, an older neighborhood.

We recognize, of course, that what gives a neighborhood its real life and character are the people who live there. Still, we think that preserving a neighborhood's visual character plays an important role in making it a more attractive place in which to live and in helping it to attract the homeowners and investment that all neighborhoods need to prosper.

1. Maintain value

A home is the largest single investment most people ever make. In addition to attending to the needs and comfort of your family, consider the effect your improvements may have on your home's future resale or second mortgage value. Properly take care of it, and it will take care of you.

Every house has its own individual style and "personality." Keeping improvements consistent with your home's original style will enhance its appearance and value. Have respect for an older home and don't try to turn it into something it is not.

Don't be afraid to mix and match stylistic elements; the original builders certainly weren't shy about it. If you are rebuilding a porch or doorway that has been altered so that no trace of the original remains, look at houses in the neighborhood for appropriate ideas. They were probably built in the same time period; and often you will find that the most appropriate treatment is the least expensive.

Consider all alternatives before replacing vital elements such as doors or windows. The installation of storm windows and improvement of exterior door weather-stripping will usually be less expensive than purchasing new doors and windows, and the payback period in terms of energy savings will be much shorter. If you decide that these elements must be replaced, do not change their size or shape, and try to stick with original materials (wood) at least on the inside. You could also consider donating the original elements to the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier (PAST), as there is an active market for such items.

When considering vinyl or other replacement siding, remember that there is no such thing as "never" (as in "never needs painting"). All materials have a limited life span. Maybe you won't paint it, but sooner or later you'll tear it off and throw it away. Although new siding may be a good choice for some homes, its replacement cost may or may not be more economical than two or three paint jobs over the course of twenty years, especially when you consider the time value of money - a dollar now is worth more than a dollar five years from now.

If you are experiencing problems with your home, look for simple solutions first. For example, many houses have wet basements. A simple solution would be to check where the downspouts are discharging their water and make sure that the ground all around them slopes away from the foundation of the house.

Don't forget about your outbuildings. They often contain the most original materials and construction on your property. Those old sliding or hinged garage doors don't go up with the push of a button, but they can usually be made to work as good as new, and they lend an irreplaceable "old time" charm to the whole property.

Unlike most other forms of property, the value of one piece of real estate is very, very dependent on the value of the properties surrounding it. So it is worth your effort to work for the betterment of your neighborhood as a whole. Rules like zoning, building codes, and even design guidelines are usually good things. Following them protects the value of your property.

For your neighborhood to appear in its best light, the individual homes should have a harmonious relationship with each other. Although they are all different, each house has things in common with its neighbors – a uniform setback from the street, a front porch, a gable roof, etc. These should be maintained.

Finally, remember that your old house is a bona fide historical artifact. In a uniquely personal way, its style expresses the dreams and aspirations of the original builder and owner. Its arrangement of rooms and amenities is reflective of the way daily life was lived in 1890 or 1910, or whenever it was built. Successive owners have all left their mark by means of their improvements - or neglect. Better than any book, your house can tell the story of the city and the neighborhood if you know how to read it. Now you have the opportunity to write your chapter.

What will it be?