My wife and I love craftsman bungalows, but are finding them somewhat few and far between - at least ones that meet our other criteria. So I've considered the possibility of other cottages/farmhouses, or homes that could be rehabbed to give a sense of bungalow-ness.

I'd appreciate any thoughts anyone has to offer regarding this house. I thought that it might have promise if we re-opened up the enclosed front porch, perhaps even with a center stairway. I thought with new siding including some detailing and perhaps different windows, it might give a cottagey/bungalowey feel. What do you think?

(I should probably note that the main thing this house has going for it is it's large lot, on a very quiet street, within walking distance to my commuter train.)

Also, does anyone know why this house is described as a "Quen Anne"? I did a little research on-line, and have not gotten any clear sense of Queen Anne style that would include this house.

I don't think there is anything "Queen Anne" about it except in the mind of the realtor. It looks to me like a fairly typical storey and a half bungalow that has had it's front porch closed in.

After seeing the picture, I think your idea of opening up the porch should be both practical and work aesthetically. I do think putting the steps in the middle of the porch would be a good idea and is in keeping with the house as originally built.

Good luck and let us know if you decide to go ahead.

I agree- the realtor doesn't know what she's talking about, there is not one Queen Anne element to that house.
Sweet looking bungalow and I always think opening those enclosed porches make a huge difference in bringing back the original design intent of the house.

Thanks, guys.

Probably not going to happen right now - if ever. But I'll keep it on the backburner. And if the price continues to drop. . . Told the realtor to let us know if it ever has an open house. Or maybe well take a look after the superbowl - or if some of this snow ever melts!

Main thing is right now my wife doesn't want to get into major rehab. And with 3 kids in college and occasionally coming home, our current house works really well as a "hotel."

-As I look at that house, I could imagine either opening the entire porch, or reworking the porch so that 1/2 of it was open, for less of a symmetrical look. The enclosed area could be a sitting room off the living room, perhaps with pocket doors and a daybed for a kid home from college.

-Probably down the line replace the aluminum siding with cedar and maybe a brick/stone facade on the front/porch/stoop.

-If we need more inside room we could bump out the entire rear roofline, essentially dormer across the entire back.

-And we'd need/want a second shower somewhere.

-Then we'd want to replace the garage. The lot would easily handle a 3-car.

But at least at present my wife does not seem ready to undergo any major/long-term project such as this. Certainly not going to push her into something she is not 100% into. And especially with the current economic situation, and with 3 kids still in school, by far the easiest and most conservative thing is to stay put.

What do you think of the dimensions? For some reason it looks a tad taller and narrower than I generally think of in bungalows. And that front dormer seems awfully large/prominent.

I think this realtor is one of the reasons why so many historic preservation commissions and preservation non-profits offer realtors workshops.

That, and the first thing a realtor shouldn't say is "you don't want this house" when they know absolutely nothing about restoring one of these properties or about historic landmark status. Colorado has state dollar for dollar tax incentives for home repairs for properties on the local, state, or federal register (up to $50,000) yet realtors don't tell you that when you purchase the home. Many HPC's have 0% loans for home repairs for those on the register as well. So many of these options residents don't find out about until AFTER your have repaired the roof, replaced the hvac, or replaced a porch. At the point that you have made the repair you are no longer eligible for the credit.

It's sad. And it is discouraging.....

I agree that the front dormer does look a little out of proportion. However, some of that may be due to when it was resided. Replacing the siding with something like the original and painting it in appropriate colors would probably help. Also, I think your idea of putting some brick or stone along the lower part of the porch would help with the balance. I don't think the house is too high. I've seen plenty of similar bungalows, particularly where the lots are narrow.

What strikes me as odd is this house is on a pretty wide (75') lot, yet it is way over to one side of the lot - maybe a 6' sideyard setback, a 1 car-wide driveway, then the ~25' wide house - leaving a 30' or so wide sideyard on the other side. Curious.

Even tho I doubt this project will plan out for me, I keep thinking how much nicer it would look re-sided and a different color(s). Maybe with shingles on top over horizontal siding below. And a brick/stone porch with front stairs. . .

Trying to figure out what to do. Right now the safest, easiest, most sensible move is to not move. And at the moment my wife is saying any move we make will not involve considerable construction. But I keep thinking that with not all that much work this could be exactly what we want down the line . . .

Sure not going to push it, tho, if my wife is not on board!

Maybe they wanted to leave room for a garden, or even subdividing the lot.

I agree that residing would improve the looks and I also thought shingles on the dormer would be a nice touch. However, I can understand not taking on all the work. Of course, one can always imagine, which I think is what a lot of us on this forum do.

Good luck.

What do you think the chances are that the original siding is under the new stuff? That is something you could mention to your wife that you may not need to replace but rather just remove and patch.

Just a thought.

Oh my house is situated on my lot that way too. Maybe the previous owner and the owner next door were family and wanted the family pathway to be closer to each other.