Charming Queen Anne Victorian Houses: A Complete Guide

Many people love the look of historical homes. While a historical home can mean a ton of different things, few architectural styles are as distinctly impressive as the Queen Anne Victorian home. Queen Anne Victorian houses feature an eclectic style from an era of unique design, with intricate details and stunning architectural features. These intricate homes can be eye-catching – especially when there are several of them grouped together, like San Francisco’s Painted Ladies.

Do you dream of owning and restoring a Queen Anne Victorian home? Keep reading to learn about their history, architecture, pros and cons and more.

What Is A Queen Anne Victorian House?

Queen Anne-style houses are one of the most popular Victorian architectural styles. These historical homes are known for their steep roofs, asymmetrical facade, wraparound porches, ornate details, complex color schemes and other charming characteristics.

The History Of Queen Anne Victorian Houses

Anne Stewart was the Queen of Great Britain from 1702 to 1714. Her reign fell during a period of economic growth, and many aristocrats were building intricate and impressive homes.

Queen Anne Victorian homes were popular to build in the United States from 1880 to 1910. These homes are most famously found in North America in San Francisco’s Painted Ladies, Baltimore's Charles Village, New Jersey's Cape May and the Old West End in Toledo.

Key Characteristics Of Queen Anne Architecture

Here are some of the key characteristics that define Queen Anne architecture.

Exterior

Some of the key exterior features of Queen Anne architecture include:

• Asymmetrical facade
• Wraparound porch
• Elaborate trim and latticework
• Multicolored paint
• Turrets, towers and balconies
• Irregular, steeply pitched roof with intersecting gables
• Patterned shingles
• Large windows in varied styles, including bay windows and stained glass
• Heavy wood front door

Interior

Some of the key interior features of Queen Anne architecture include:

• Single-story cottage or multistory mansion
• Open concept rooms
• Intricate wood trim
• Fireplaces lined with glazed tiles
• Wooden staircases
• Ornate metal doorknobs and hardware
• Hidden rooms in towers, bays and dormers

The Difference Between Queen Anne-Style Houses And Other Victorian-Style Homes

Queen Anne-style houses were traditionally built by aristocrats and other wealthy people. So, while they appeared similar to many other Victorian-style houses, Queen Anne-style Victorian homes are typically larger and more intricate in comparison.

The Pros And Cons Of Owning A Queen Anne Victorian House

There are many pros and cons of owning a Queen Anne Victorian home and living in a historical home in general.

Pros

Some of the pros of a Queen Anne-style home include:

• Unique character and charm: If you love the charm of a historical home, you are going to love Queen Anne homes. They are truly unique, with many intricate, historical details.
• Filled with history: If you are a history buff, you might love learning more about the history of Queen Anne architectural elements. These homes are great for people who want to be able to point out historical features to guests each time they visit.
• Potential tax incentives and benefits: There could be tax incentives for purchasing and restoring a historical home such as a Queen Anne Victorian. Consult with your CPA and local tax laws to see what benefits may apply in your area.
• Historic districts: Local historic districts encourage homeowners to maintain and restore the historical elements that make a home unique. Buying a home in one of these districts will help to ensure that your neighbors are equally as invested in maintaining their historical homes, too.

Cons

Of course, as with any style of home, there are cons of a Queen Anne-style house, including:

• Often costly to restore and maintain: There can be very high repair and maintenance costs associated with Queen Anne Victorian houses. While many old homes can get expensive to maintain, finding contractors and designers familiar enough with this very specific architectural style can drive the costs up even further.
• May be challenging to find a suitable contractor: It can be difficult to find a contractor with experience renovating Queen Anne Victorian houses, especially if it is not a common style in your area.
• May have limited design choices: Historical boards and district regulations may mean that you have limited design choices with a Queen Anne Victorian house. For example, you might not be permitted to remove certain features or even pick any paint color. If you have a specific vision that might not be historically accurate – a Queen Anne Victorian might not be right for you.
• Home insurance can be more expensive: As with many historical homes, your home insurance can be pricier with a Queen Anne Victorian house. If that cost is a concern, get quotes before purchasing the home.

Buying A Queen Anne Victorian House

If you have your heart set on a Queen Anne Victorian home, you will first want to identify where they are located within your area. You might consider looking at past sales records to determine a REALTOR^® who is very familiar with the market. In the very least, choose a real estate agent experienced in buying historical homes so they can best help you walk through the unique steps in buying an old house versus a new house.

What To Consider If You’re Restoring A Queen Anne Victorian House

Restoring a Queen Anne Victorian home can be a huge undertaking. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when beginning the process.

Getting An Inspection

It is always important to get an inspection, especially on an older home like a Queen Anne Victorian home. Inspections will help to give you a better idea of what you are getting into and some of the projects you will need to undertake as a part of your restoration.

Preparing For A Variety Of Repairs

Queen Anne Victorian homes that have not already been updated will likely need many upgrades to modernize the functionality and efficiency of the home. Additionally, any cosmetic updates will need to be carefully considered and approved to ensure they align with any historical codes or requirements.

Some of the main renovations when restoring a Queen Anne Victorian home include:

• Updating or adding insulation
• Repairing water damage
• Updating electrical
• Upgrading to energy-efficient heating and cooling
• Replacing original siding
• Roof complexity

Obtaining The Right Financing

Before considering restoring an older home, you should be certain you can afford the home and the repairs. Consider the following loan types:

• FHA 203(k) loan: An FHA 203(k) loan provides money for home buyers and owners who want to purchase or refinance a home in need of renovation. With one loan, they can purchase the home and get the money to make needed repairs.
• VA renovation loan: A VA renovation loan is a mortgage that is backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It includes both funding for the purchase of the home and certain types of repairs.
• Home improvement loan: A home improvement loan is money you borrow from a financial institution in order to finance upgrades and costly repairs to your home. These projects may enhance the livability and usability of the house, remove health and safety hazards, improve aesthetics of the home or save energy.

The Bottom Line: Invest In The Historical Value Of A Queen Anne Victorian House With The Right Budget

Queen Anne Victorian homes are visually stunning and historically interesting. If you are willing to invest in owning and restoring a historical home, they could be a great option for you. Home buyers can restore or maintain a Queen Anne Victorian home with the right budget and planning. Be sure to connect with an agent today to find and purchase a historical home.