Buying and Renovating a Century-Old Home in Greensboro and High Point, NC
A Local Guide to Historic Neighborhoods, Financing, and Smart Renovation Strategies
Thinking about buying a home that’s stood for 100 years or more? Greensboro and High Point are filled with beautiful century-old homes that have character, craftsmanship, and roots in North Carolina’s architectural history.
But buying one isn’t the same as buying new construction. These homes come with unique systems, special maintenance needs, and (thankfully) plenty of resources to help you restore them the right way.
This guide will help you understand what makes century homes special, how to finance renovations, and where to find the right local experts and neighborhoods to begin your search.
Why Buyers Love Century-Old Homes
There’s something irreplaceable about a well-built 1920s Craftsman or a 1910 Victorian. These homes were built with real wood, plaster, and artistry that modern materials just can’t replicate. You’ll find features like wide baseboards and porches, built-in hand built cabinetry, hardwood floors, Penny Tile, and loads of details and trim that tells a story.
When properly maintained, older homes in Guilford County often outperform modern homes in long-term durability and they hold their value thanks to their rarity and historic appeal.
Historic Neighborhoods in Greensboro, NC
Greensboro protects several neighborhoods under historic overlay zoning, which preserves the city’s architectural heritage while supporting responsible renovation.
College Hill Historic District
Greensboro’s oldest historic neighborhood, full of late Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman-style homes. Its walkable streets near UNCG and downtown make it popular with both residents and preservation-minded buyers.
View design guidelines →
Fisher Park Historic District
Centered around a lush park, Fisher Park features early 20th-century Craftsman, Prairie, and Tudor-style homes on large shaded lots. It remains one of Greensboro’s most desirable areas for century-home ownership.
Learn about Fisher Park →
Dunleath (Aycock) Historic District
Just northeast of downtown, this district blends Eastlake, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman architecture. Many homes have been beautifully restored, making it ideal for first-time historic buyers.
Visit the Dunleath Preservation Society →
Summit Avenue Historic District
Once home to mill executives and professionals, this corridor showcases spacious Colonial Revival and Victorian homes. It’s also a hotspot for historic tax credit projects.
Southside Historic District
A charming mix of restored 19th-century homes and new infill construction built to match the area’s traditional styles. Its proximity to Elm Street gives residents walkable downtown living with historic appeal.
Lindley Park & Sunset Hills (Conservation Overlays)
While not officially historic overlays, both neighborhoods preserve the spirit of early mid-century design with brick cottages, mature trees, and a community-focused vibe.
Historic Neighborhoods in High Point, NC
High Point has its own historic overlay areas where restoration is encouraged and protected.
Johnson Street Historic District
High Point’s first designated historic district, filled with Tudor, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival homes built between 1908 and 1940. Residents enjoy tree-lined streets and walkability to High Point University.
More about High Point’s Historic Districts →
Sherrod Park Historic District
A 1920s–1930s residential area known for cohesive architecture and early suburban design, with charming storybook Tudor cottages.
Uptown Suburbs Historic District
Encompassing Johnson Place, Roland Park, The Parkway, and Emerywood, this large district displays grand homes and early suburban craftsmanship.
Read the National Register documentation →
Washington Street Historic District
A landmark area for High Point’s African American history, featuring a mix of early-1900s residences and mid-century civic architecture. Preservation efforts here are ongoing and deeply community-driven.
🧱 What’s Different About Century Homes
These houses were built long before standardized building codes or central HVAC systems. You’ll often find:
Knob-and-tube wiring instead of modern grounded wiring.
Lath and plaster walls, not drywall.
Ball valves, lead solder, or galvanized plumbing, which may need replacement.
Original windows and hardwood floors that can often be repaired rather than replaced.
Modernizing a home like this takes patience, but it’s worth it. Start with safety systems first (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), then move to insulation and finishes.
| System | Typical in Century Homes | Modern Homes | What To Inspect or Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating | Boiler or steam radiator systems with large iron piping | Forced air HVAC or high efficiency boiler with modern controls | Boiler age and condition, radiator valves, leaks, control upgrades |
| Electrical | Knob and tube or cloth wiring, fuse panels, few outlets | 200 amp breaker panels, grounded circuits, GFCI/AFCI protection | Panel upgrade, rewiring, add outlets, insurance compliance |
| Plumbing | Galvanized supply, cast iron drains, older valves | PEX or copper supply, PVC/ABS drains, modern fixtures | Pressure issues, pipe lifespan, phased replacements, ball valves |
| Insulation & Air Sealing | Sparse insulation, air leaks at attic, crawl, and windows | High R values, sealed envelope, controlled ventilation | Attic and crawl insulation, air sealing, vapor barrier |
| Windows | Original wood sash, single pane, wavy glass | Double or triple pane, factory weatherstripping | Weatherstripping, sash restoration, storms vs replacement |
| Structure & Finishes | Lath and plaster, solid wood trim, hardwood floors | Drywall, engineered lumber, modern trim profiles | Plaster repair, floor leveling, masonry repointing |
How to Finance a Historic Home Purchase and Renovation
Most buyers combine purchase and renovation costs through one of these loan options:
Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Loan – Combines mortgage and renovation funding into one loan based on after-renovation value.
FHA 203(k) Loan – Government-backed loan for homes needing moderate-to-major renovation.
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits – North Carolina offers up to 15% back on qualifying work for owner-occupied homes in registered historic districts.
NC Historic Tax Credit Info →Local Tax Deferral Programs – Both Greensboro and High Point offer tax deferrals for designated landmarks under active preservation.
Smart Renovation Strategy: Break It Into Phases
Phase 1: Safety & Systems
Replace outdated wiring, roof, and plumbing.
Repair or upgrade the boiler or HVAC.
Fix leaks and foundation issues first.
Phase 2: Efficiency
Add insulation and weather-seal doors and windows.
Upgrade thermostats or heating controls for energy savings.
Phase 3: Restoration
Refinish hardwoods, repair plaster walls, restore trim, and bring back original details.
Use Architectural Salvage of Greensboro to match vintage parts.
Phase 4: Lifestyle Upgrades
Remodel the kitchen or bathroom once the structure and systems are solid.
Consider outdoor spaces last — they’re the fun reward for all the behind-the-walls work.
Trusted Local Contractors
Ava Grace Construction – Father-daughter design-build firm known for balancing modern updates with historic preservation.
Comer Shuford, LLC – Historic renovation experts with decades of experience in the Triad.
Grandeur USA – Greensboro-based general contractor known for high-detail exterior and structural restoration, including brickwork, carpentry, and historic façade preservation. Also has commercial licensure and has performed work at Wafco Mills
Architectural Salvage of Greensboro – The best local spot to source authentic materials for your restoration project.
Old Town Salvage: Working with homeowners, architects, builders and designers, his reclaimed materials are used on new residential and commercial construction, old home repairs and renovations, as well as a wide variety of decorative and upcycling projects.
Join the Old-House Community
| # | Address | City | Style | Why It’s A Good Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1009 Ferndale Blvd | High Point | Tudor Revival | Steep gables, arched entry, half-timbering (c. 1937) |
| 2 | 212 Florence St | Greensboro | Craftsman Bungalow | Circa 1915 Fisher Park craftsman detail and porch massing |
| 3 | 603 N Church St | Greensboro | Craftsman | 1914 example of scale, roof pitch, exposed rafter tails |
| 4 | 409 Edgedale Dr | High Point | Tudor Revival | Classic Emerywood Tudor proportions and materials |
| 5 | 301 S Mendenhall St | Greensboro | American Foursquare | Foursquare massing with Craftsman detailing |
| 6 | 301 Woodrow Ave | High Point | Craftsman / Tudor Mix | Sherrod Park hybrid style common in 1920s |
| 7 | College Hill District | Greensboro | Victorian / Queen Anne | Street-scale examples of late 19th-century architecture |
| 8 | Fisher Park District | Greensboro | Colonial Revival, Tudor, Craftsman | Walkable concentration of early 1900s styles |
| 9 | Johnson Street Historic District | High Point | Tudor, Colonial Revival | High Point’s first local historic district |
| 10 | Uptown Suburbs Historic District | High Point | Mixed Period Revival | Grand early-suburban examples across several plats |
Final Thoughts
Owning a century-old home means becoming a caretaker of history. It’s not always easy, but it’s deeply rewarding. If you approach it with respect, a good contractor, and a clear renovation plan, you’ll have a home that’s not only beautiful — it’s part of the story of Greensboro and High Point itself.
🏡 Century-Home Buyer’s Glossary
Key Terms Every Historic-Home Owner Should Know
Adaptive Reuse
Renovating an old building for a new purpose (for example, turning an old duplex into a single-family home). In historic districts, this must comply with preservation standards.
Ball Valve
A modern plumbing shut-off valve used to replace old gate valves found in many early 1900s homes. Easier to turn, longer lasting.
Boiler System
A heating system that uses water or steam to heat radiators. Found in many pre-1940 homes in Fisher Park and College Hill. Efficient but requires annual maintenance.
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
A city-issued approval required before altering the exterior of a home in a historic overlay neighborhood (Greensboro or High Point). Overseen by each city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
Claw-Foot Tub
Freestanding cast-iron bathtub typical in early-20th-century homes. Heavy and charming—but may need refinishing or reinforced flooring.
There are several styles of claw foot tub, this is one style
Conservation Overlay
A zoning tool (used in Lindley Park and Sunset Hills) that protects neighborhood character without strict historic-district regulations.
Efflorescence
White, chalky mineral residue that appears on old brick or basement walls—usually from moisture migration, not a structural failure.
FHA 203(k) Loan
A government-backed mortgage that bundles purchase and renovation costs—ideal for buying fixer-uppers in need of system upgrades.
Fannie Mae HomeStyle Loan
A conventional version of the 203(k) that also covers renovation expenses, using the after-repair value of the home.
Historic Overlay District
A zoning designation that protects a neighborhood’s architecture and streetscape. Greensboro has several: College Hill, Fisher Park, Summit Avenue, Southside, and Dunleath.
High Point’s include Johnson Street, Sherrod Park, Uptown Suburbs, and Washington Street.
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
North Carolina’s program offering up to 15% state tax credit for qualified work on owner-occupied historic homes. Managed by the NC Historic Preservation Office.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Early electrical system using porcelain knobs and tubes to run wires through framing. Now outdated and often uninsurable until replaced.
Lath and Plaster
Wall construction method before drywall—thin wood strips (lath) coated with plaster. Durable and sound-absorbing but labor-intensive to repair.
Lead Paint
Common in homes built before 1978. Safe if intact, but must be handled by an EPA-certified renovator if disturbed.
Original Fabric
Preservation term meaning the building’s authentic materials—brick, wood, plaster, trim—valued for historic authenticity.
Radiator Bleeding
Releasing trapped air from a hot-water radiator to restore proper heat flow. Routine for homeowners with boiler systems.
Repointing
Replacing deteriorated mortar between bricks. Essential for keeping historic masonry watertight.
R-Value
Measure of insulation’s effectiveness. Century homes often have low R-values—upgrading attic and crawlspace insulation can dramatically improve comfort.
Sistering Joists
Adding new lumber alongside old floor joists to strengthen sagging or spongy floors—common fix in 1920s houses.
Steam Trap
A small mechanical valve in boiler systems that removes condensate but retains steam—vital for heating efficiency.
Tax Deferral (Landmark Designation)
Local program allowing partial property-tax reduction for owners who preserve qualifying historic properties in Guilford County.
Vapor Barrier
Plastic or membrane layer installed under crawlspaces to prevent moisture rise—important in older homes with vented foundations.
Weatherization
Improving insulation, sealing air leaks, and upgrading windows and doors for efficiency while retaining historic details.
💡 Bonus Tip
When hiring contractors, ask if they’ve worked in a historic overlay district and understand the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Those are the federal guidelines preservation commissions use when reviewing exterior work.
