190 Main Street


MLS Photo: Engel & Volker
We have been watching this gorgeous home ( click here to take the full tour) since it went on the market on September 17, 2024. We are perplexed that it is still available over a month later with a $90K price reduction to boot. After an in-person tour, our perplexity has increased. The property shines! It was not long ago that the market would have gobbled up this special home for above asking price in an eye blink. The listing agent believes that the lack of a first-floor bathroom is a primary obstacle. With that said several interested parties are earnestly ‘circling the wagon’.
We could feel the pervasive quality, craftmanship, and sturdiness of 190 Main Street as we wandered through it. One non-scientific test we do is to shake the newel post on the stairway. This one was as solid as a rock! Anecdotally, we have detected that this is often the case in homes of this era.
There’s a widespread belief that homes built in the 1920s were constructed with higher-quality materials and craftsmanship than many modern homes. While this is a generalization, there are a few reasons behind this perception:
Quality of Materials: Homes from the 1920s often used materials like old-growth wood, which was denser, more rot-resistant, and durable compared to the faster-growing, younger wood typically used today. Brick and masonry were also more commonly used, especially in urban areas, which added durability.
Craftsmanship: Many 1920s homes were crafted by skilled laborers, as mass production techniques for home construction were less developed. This meant that homes were often built by hand by carpenters, masons, and craftsmen who took great pride in their work.
Architectural Details: Homes from this period often included custom woodwork, built-ins, detailed moldings, and other architectural details that are less common in contemporary construction due to cost and time considerations.