How to live in a Sears Craftsman home in metro Atlanta

There is something about a historic Craftsman home that houses of today never quite capture. The charm, the character, and classic craftsmanship still stand out. The warm and natural interiors feel inviting, while the low extended roofs and large front porches make the Craftsman style perfect for warm climates. This is one reason why these homes can be widely found in Southern states, including Georgia. If you look closely, you can find a special kind of Craftsman house to be your Atlanta home.

Around the time Craftsman homes become popular, so did Sears Craftsman Kits. Beginning in the early 1900's, homeowners could order their piece of the American Dream from a catalog. The parts would arrive to the owners' hometowns on train cars, ready to assemble.

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These gorgeous homes can be found all over Atlanta. If you want to buy a Craftsman-style home, there are a few indicators it originally came from Sears. According to Arts-Crafts.com, these are the best ways to identify your potential Sears Craftsman Kit home:

• Double check the building date to see if it was built between 1908 and 1940.
• Sears Craftsman Kit homes will have stamps on their lumber. Inspect exposed beams or rafters in the attic or crawl space.
• Check for shipping labels on moldings and trim throughout the home. They can also be found under the staircase or in the basement.
• Go to the local courthouse and look through building permits and records.
• Craftsman kit homes often have column arrangements unique to the home on the front porch area.

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• Plumbing fixtures such as faucets may have marks like "R" or "SR'.
• Use a field guide like "Finding The Houses That Sears Built" or "Houses By Mail" to check the home's floor plan and footprint. A Sears home willalways match the kit's floorplan.
• Look for markings on sheet rock. Goodwall sheet plaster was used with the kits and the name will be stamped on the back.
• Check for square blocks inserted in joints at staircase landings.