Part 3 of 5

In Hancock Park, the difference of hundreds of thousands (or millions) often comes down to whether a home still has its original craftsmanship. Here’s what gets value, and what kills it.

What counts as “original details”?

• Leaded or stained-glass windows specific to period

• Quarter-sawn wood floors or narrow-plank hardwood

• Custom tilework in baths or kitchens from the 1920s–30s

• Built-in cabinetry, millwork, crown molding, period hardware

• Clay tile or slate roof in original pattern

Why these matter for value

Because replicating complex craftsmanship is expensive and often fails to match the prestige of the original. Buyers of historic estates value that “you can’t build this today” feel.

Renovation strategies for value

Do: Upgrade plumbing, electrical, HVAC behind the scenes while leaving the original finishes visible.
Don’t: Remove crown moldings, replace windows with vinyl, gut the architectural character to open up space.

Rarity effect

If a Tudor home with intact woodwork is one of only a handful left on the market, the prestige and competition increase — boosting value beyond standard metrics.

Key Takeaways:

• Original features like tile, millwork, stained-glass windows command a premium

• Authenticity matters more than “perfect condition” — integrity over gloss

• Value-increasing renovations focus on systems, not replacing period finishes

• Value-reducing renovations strip or replace character-defining elements

• Rarity of style and intactness amplify value — the fewer pristine examples, the higher the premium

Part 4 of 5 is HERE.

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