With housing inventory at an all-time low in the area, many buyers are considering the possibility of buying an older home for the first time, writes Michaelle Bond for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“A historic home is like living in art,” said Paul Chung, who bought an 1850 home in Chester Springs with his wife, Karen. “It’s living in history and living in art.”

The interest in older homes has increased noticeably, according to Chester County realtor Trish Keegan. Keegan, who specializes in historic properties, said that, normally, buyers search for years before they find an older home they love.

“In the COVID market, I found the historic listings I had were not only going under contract much more quickly,” she said, “but even these very specific old homes were garnering multiple offers.”

One of the reasons is that the lack of housing stock from small villages to downtown West Chester is leaving buyers with no choice other than to buy an old home.

According to Keegan, buyers who are showing interest in older homes span every demographic and appreciate the uniqueness of these homes.

Read more about historic homes in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.