Before and After: A Home in the Heights

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Homes don’t have to be decrepit, vacant or blighted to see a dramatic makeover. Some just need maintenance or restoration from attempts to “modernize” them over the years. Such is the case with this home in the Heights section of Newburgh. The owners really had their heart set on a brick home, but they loved the view from this frame house.

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When they began to remove the aluminum siding, they were thrilled to discover fishscale and clapboard underneath. The siding had retained water and at least 50% of the wood needed replacing.

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The porch had rotted away and needed to be rebuilt. Water had softened the structural beams which is part of the unexpected surprises of renovating an old home. The contractor and owners also paid careful attention to restoring the architectural balance of the house by opening and changing windows that had been covered (sometimes to retain heat).

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The exterior has been fully restored. It makes the neighborhood so much more attractive and not only adds value to the home, but that of the neighbors. The Heights has been seeing a steady influx of new residents and families who are restoring homes. There are many more for the avid old home lover.

Before doing exterior work to a home in the City of Newburgh, you need approval from the Architectural Review Commission. Also, there are tax credits available for doing exterior work to historic houses in Newburgh via the New York State Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program (scroll all the way down). Thanks for sharing!

Do you have your own home renovation adventures in the City of Newburgh that you would like to share? Your own before and after? Email me!

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