I hear you, but am surprised Massachusetts is less expensive than Illinois - I guess it's a about location within a state.

I grew up in a small Cape Cod like you have and know they don't have alot of architectural character! Would it be within your budget to tackle a room at a time and replace the trim and baseboards with something you love? Add some crown and get some 6 panel doors.

If that's not an option or won't make the house any more appealing, have you thought about moving within your own area? I'm sure there are some "good bones" houses in your area. Signup for some MLS email notifications and start stalking your area! Of course, then you have to be committed to selling your house to actually move!

I understand your frustration as I feel similar in the house we're in right now. It's a nice house, but just a basic 4 bedroom 2.5 bath house - built in the 80's in a development where everything is not necessarily the same house, but basically looks about the same.

There's nothing wrong with my house, but I long for white woodwork with wide baseboards - remember the house from the movie Home Alone? Or Father of the Bride? Those are my dream homes.

Oh yes, sow's ear owner here too. We couldn't turn it into a silk purse because we'd have to spend our life savings on massive architectural changes. But it's finally a nice fake leatherette bag from Kohl's that isn't so bad.

Because of a sudden job change, we got yanked out of a wonderful 50s contemporary that I loved (the perfect home, really) and ended up with a 60s tract home with bad bones but good school district & location. We've thrown a lot of money at it to make it more functional and give it character. We still have more changes to make, not cheap ones either. We're finally liking our house after 12 years. It was strange for awhile, walking around, looking, and being pleased with it instead of finding it depressing.

We did a big Phase I remodel two years ago, mostly replacing utilitarian things that were failing. After we got the estimate back, which was of course unaffordable, my husband started crossing things off the list to get the costs down. When he crossed off "new baseboards, trim and doors," I burst into tears. I just could not live with the old ones any longer. "All right, all right," he said, "we'll cross off new garage doors and installing wood floors in the family room instead." So now the inside has the character that I love -- and a crummy old carpet in the FR and rickety old garage doors with plywood over them. But I'm happier, and we'll get to the other stuff some day.

Well, sorry to ramble, anele. I just wanted to let you know I understand your frustration. How long have you been in your house? Are there some things about it that make staying in it worthwhile?

I am surprised that you find homes in IL lack character. I guess it depends on where you live, maybe? DH's extended family is in Chicago, and we see plenty of homes with character, even modest ones, not just Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park.

I understand the real estate values in that even these "modest" home are 200K.

anele - If you do a search on this forum for 'my3dogs', you will see Cape Cod at it's most delightful.

caroleoh: I am not saying all of MA is less expensive by any means-- but the area I was looking at (one hour away from Boston) seems to offer more than what you can get around here (40-60 min. away from Chicago). RE: the MLS notifications, I have had those on for the last 5 years. :) I have considered many times adding trim and such but part of me thinks maybe it just isn't worth it (the whole sow's ear thing!). To get those things made out of real wood would be expensive with no real return on my $, and the fake stuff looks so . . .fake. I admire the homes you are referring to!

awm03: I think I love your husband. For him to realize how important those little details are to you (which, I know, to me, would not be "little" details either!) says a lot. How inspiring that you feel good about your home now!

gscience: We paid quite a bit more than 200K for our very modest home. Of course, prices have come down since then, unfortunately, which is why we are stuck here for a long time, I think. I would agree that some homes in Chicago itself have character, but I think the most prevalent homes in Chicago with style (the northside, anyway) are apartment buildings. Most of the homes are Chicago bungalows, and they are usually really just 2 bedrooms (unless you get a jumbo). Here in the suburbs, we have some older homes, but those are closer to 500K.

I am no historian by any means, but what I have gathered is this (and I am really just guessing). . .the Chicago fire had a big impact on architecture. Homes in Chicago are usually made out of brick as a result and are not as old as those in other areas of the country, like New England. The suburbs were mostly little towns with a lot of farmland, but once the war was over, quick (CHEAP AND UGLY) housing went up for the vets. (That's why there are few older homes.)

wanto, I know my3dogs home well. It is just gorgeous. However, I would bet that it is older than mine, or she has added to it. All Cape Cods are not generic, but I have found that unless one wants an MCM, any home built past 1950 lacks character. I "test" myself when I look at MLS listings to guess the age of a home. If I see ugly squat windows, no trim, no glass with individual panes, etc., then usually it is built later than 1949. (Mine is from 1959.)

While typing this, I have a show on about Christmas celebrations in Europe .. .I would rather move there. Talk about old and beautiful!