Researching the history of your home (or your future home) is important, as it can help you better understand the home maintenance schedule and potential problem areas. You could find out when the house was built, how, when was it modified or new additions created. Has it suffered any disasters like fire, flood, earthquake etc. Or perhaps some infestations. Yikes!
Home history research is also an exciting activity and can provide a great deal of fun to everyone who’s participating (everyone can play a role or tackles a certain area). At the end you compile all your research and thus create a chronological picture of your home.
Here is a shortened 10 step list of what you gotta do:
- Visit the local courthouse or historical society
- While you’re there, get a copy of the original building permit
- Dig up or get a new copy of your property’s abstract.
- Look through your city’s newspaper archive.
- Pay a visit to your local municipal planning agency
- Inspect your house closely
- Talk to your neighbours
- Track down previous owners to find out what improvements were made
- Research the history of your neighbourhood
- Consider using a metal detector in your yard
Read more at: http://www.wikihow.com/Research-the-History-of-Your-House