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Older homes have a lot of character, but they can come with a lot of headaches, too-especially when they're close to 300 years old. That didn't deter James and Kelsey Shutts, who moved from Georgia to Connecticut in 2024. "Where else are you going to be able to own a home that was built prior to the 1770s?" Kelsey asks, referring to New England's abundance of historic properties.

The pair purchased a home in South Windsor that was once used to confine Benjamin Franklin's Loyalist son, William, during the American Revolution. Sections of the house date to as early as 1695, though it was put through the wringer over the years-it was moved 25 feet back from the road, historic outbuildings were destroyed and part of the original structure was removed, according to the National Register of Historic Places.

James and Kelsey had a tall task ahead of them, but felt as though an ambitious renovation was part of the charm of Connecticut living. They spent $1 million and two years renovating the house, replacing the kitchen's linoleum with floorboards salvaged from the attic and converting a bonus room into a primary suite with a walk-in closet and full bath.

Now planning a move back south, they have put the home on the market for $1.45 million.

An unlikely influencer is taking over Washington, D.C.'s oldest neighborhood. Jamie Peva, a 60-year-old agent with Washington Fine Properties, has sold Georgetown real estate for over three decades, often traversing the neighborhood by bicycle. He shares his knowledge of the area with some 37,500 Instagram followers, most of whom are locals and have no plans to buy or sell real estate-until they do.

"It's the digital version of a refrigerator magnet," he said.

Historic Homes: A Connecticut Property That Housed a Revolutionary War Prisoner

The home, which dates as far back as 1695, was once used to confine Benjamin Franklin's Loyalist son.

The 60-Year-Old Real-Estate Agent Giving History Lessons on Instagram

Instead of using social media solely to promote property listings, Jamie Peva uses his platform to highlight Georgetown's history and local culture.

What's the Deal?

"Arthur" creator Marc Brown and his wife, artist Laurene Krasny Brown, sold their 7.8-acre Martha's Vineyard property for $6.4 million, a year after listing the Vineyard Haven property for $6.9 million. "It was a practical decision," said Marc, who said they have since purchased a home in New York's Hudson Valley.

Want to see more deals? Sign up for our Mansion Deals email alert to have the biggest and best luxury home sales and listings delivered to your inbox.

The Luxe Life

A Virginia couple didn't want their kids "disappearing into their rooms." So they spent $2.8 million building a house with a sports room and swimming pool.

Americans have overwhelmingly opted to sleep in plain, white sheets that resemble hotel bedding. Now colorful and patterned sheets are quickly becoming the more fashionable option.

Free beer got "Brink of War" co-star Jared Harris through the theater door at his university, but acting kept him there. "I enjoyed the camaraderie and being in front of an audience trying to figure out what they were paying attention to."

House of the Week

WSJ's House of the Week brings readers to a European-style California compound with four structures, including a building that houses the owner's pinball machine collection.

"I'm a sucker for color and the grapefruit-colored exterior drew me in," says Mansion reporter E.B. Solomont. "I also really love the old-world finishes, including wood beams and limestone."

Your Home

High housing costs are driving demand for Baltimore's vacant homes, helping the city cut its vacancy rate by nearly a third over the last decade.

Housing starts, a gauge of new residential construction, dropped 12.4% in July to 1.239 million.

A new federal housing law should make it easier and cheaper to build modular and manufactured homes.

About Us

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Kerry Barger is Mansion's senior platform editor. Say hi at Kerry.Barger@wsj.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Candace Taylor is the editor of Mansion. Reach her at Candace.Taylor@wsj.com.