Mid-Century Modern Homes Spotlighted in Glenbrook Valley

For the second time in less than six months, House & Home magazine has featured one of the spectacular mid-century modern homes in Glenbrook Valley on their cover.   The latest issue features a home at 7919 Glenview that was recently awarded a Good Brick Award by Preservation Houston.   The home was also featured in the on-line magazine culturemap.com. 

The new owners, Dave and Cheryl Bowman, are like many new owners in Glenbrook Valley, who chose the neighborhood for it's great historic architecture, wonderful mix of residents, and close in location. 

There is a growing number of home buyers that are specifically looking for mid-century modern properties, but it is a house hunt that can prove especially daunting.  Availability for all types of homes is tight in the Houston real estate market right now, but when you are looking for a specific architectural type like a mid-century modern, which also happens to be very popular right now with architecture buffs, the house hunt can become more difficult.  If you have your heart set on your own "Mad-Men" style swankienda, here are a few tips to consider.

First, decide what is your tolerance for projects?  The Bowman's home looks absolutely spectacular in the magazine, but it sure didn't look that great when they bought it.  Most times MCM home purchases are going to be projects.  Many shoppers prize original features and do not want to pay for alterations they may consider cosmetic "mis-steps," such as painting interior brick walls or paneling, removing period appropriate light fixtures and hardware in favor or more traditional options, or installing ornate front doors.   Finding one with original features can certainly be done, but then it will probably have original systems that need updating, which could range from electrical updates to foundation repairs or roof replacement.  MCM shopping means setting realistic expectations for the condition.  Expectations that are in line with your budget and ability to renovate. 

Secondly, how flexible are you on locations?  Mid-century moderns can be hard to find.  In some neighborhoods such as Meyerland or Memorial Bend, where many were originally built, you have builders and home-shoppers who want the desirable location, but have no real appreciation for the original home styles.  This has resulted in a number being demolished.  Others have seen insensitive alterations over the years, alterations that sometimes can be reversed, but other times have taken the home so far from the architect's original intent, as to render them unrecognizable as mid-century moderns.  Luckily, many have also been snapped up by mod enthusiasts who restore and cherish them.  Less lucky for the home shopper, however, is many of these enthusiasts hold onto their homes and they do not hit the market often.   Because of this, pickings can be slim so you sometimes have to go where the houses are.  This may mean expanding your original boundaries to include other areas where you may have a better chance of finding the perfect mod house. 

Lastly, how flexible are you on style?  Specifically, if you are mod shopping, how far towards a more ranch style are you willling to go?  Many times MCM shoppers overlook good ranch houses if they don't have as strong an architectural presence as some of their more modernist counterparts.  Try to keep an open mind towards more of the ranch styles.  Often times these have very livable floor plans with many of the same features you love about the full throttle mid-century moderns.  Flagstone accents, poured terrazzo, cove lighting, oversized sliding doors to patios, sunken living rooms, vintage tile baths, you get the idea.  By expanding your search to include more ranch styles, you may find one that with the right furnishings, really "pops" in a mod way.  If you really want more of the original mid-century features and finishes, you might also have more luck by including some ranch houses in your house hunt.

Mid-century modern home shopping can be challenging and take some time to find the right fit, but they are out there.  Neighborhoods such as Glenbrook Valley, of course, have their share of mid-century modern and ranch styles that make for great homes close to the city center.  If you are interested in finding an MCM or atomic ranch style home, give me a call, I work all areas of town and all price ranges, so I can help you locate one that is just right for you!