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Love the history and romance of old homes? Become an expert in working with historic properties, learn about the pros and cons of these special houses, discover their unique appraisal and restoration issues and much more.
Benefits of Historic Building Projects
- Preserve buildings of historic significance
- Generate capital
- Create jobs
- Stimulate community renewal and build pride
- Provide affordable housing
- Increase property value
- Promote sustainability
Source: Earning Credit Where Credit is Due, (Buildings, Apr. 2005). Q
Information from NAR
Own Your Niche, (REALTOR® Magazine, July 2009).
Architecture Coach: Making the Old New Again, (REALTOR® Magazine, May 2009).
Victorian Charm, (REALTOR® Magazine, May 2009).
The code word is Smart Growth: building codes are reflecting the demand for revamping older structures, (On Common Ground, Summer 2005).
This Sold House: Rewards of Historic Preservation, (REALTOR® Magazine Online Exclusive, July 2004).
History for Sale: Marketing Historic Properties, (On Common Ground, Summer 2003).
Save the Past:: Historic Preservation Paves Way for Profits, (REALTOR® Magazine, Mar. 2003).
One House Many Stories, (REALTOR® Magazine, June 2001).
General Information about Historic Property
A Community Home, (Journal of Property Management, May/June 2012). Q
The Value Added Properties of Local Historical Preservation Districts, (Journal of Applied Business Research, Mar./Apr. 2012). Q
Tax breaks save historic old houses, (OldHouseWeb.com).
Can old be gold? Historic homes as investments, (OldHouseWeb.com).
Historic Homes and Tax Breaks, (OldHouseWeb.com).
Insuring Your Historic Home, (OldHouseWeb.com).
Inspecting Historic Properties, (OldHouseWeb.com).
Historic Home Insurance: Why You Need It and How to Get It, (HouseLogic.com, Jan. 12, 2011).
What Makes a Neighborhood or Home Worthy of a Historic Designation?, (HouseLogic.com, Dec. 30, 2010).
Neighborhood Historic Designation Can Raise Property Values, (HouseLogic.com, Nov. 19, 2010).
Getting a Historic Designation for Your Home, (HouseLogic.com, May 28, 2010).
Getting Your Neighborhood Historic District Designation, (HouseLogic.com, May 10, 2010).
Revitalizing vintage buildings, (Journal of Property Management, Nov./Dec. 2008). Q
Second Life, (Builder, June 2008). Q
Few Developers Seek Tax Credit for Restoring Historic Buildings, (Orlando Business Journal, Apr. 7, 2008).
Developers, Renovators Must Clear Hurdles to get Federal Tax Credit, (Business First of Columbus, Mar. 10, 2008).
Real estate and preservation, (Planning, Mar. 2008). Q
History in the Making, (Commercial Investment Real Estate, Jan./Feb. 2008).
Living history: How homeowners in a new local historic district negotiate their legal obligations, (Yale Law Journal, Jan. 2007). Q
The Costs and Benefits of Historic Properties, (The Appraisal Journal, Spring 2006). Q
Security and Historic Properties: Preserving and Securing America's Past, (Buildings, Oct. 2006).
Saving Our Most Important Places, (Realty Times, Aug. 9, 2006).
Back to the Future, (Journal of Property Management, Jan./Feb. 2006). Q
Historic Property Appraisal
Foreclosures at Historic Highs, but Historic Homes Not Feeling the Pressure, (OldHouseWeb.com).
The Impact of Age on the Value of Historic Homes in a Nationally Recognized Historic District, (The Journal of Real Estate Research, No. 1, 2011). Q
The Costs and Benefits of Historic Properties, (The Appraisal Journal, Spring 2006). Q
Historic buildings and rehabilitation expenditures: a panel data approach, (The Journal of Real Estate Research, Oct./Dec. 2005). Q
Gracing the Land of Elvis and Beale Street: Historic Designation and Property Values in Memphis, (Real Estate Economics, Fall 2005). Q
Historic designation and residential market values, (The Appraisal Journal, July 1994). Q
Renovation & Restoration
Tips for Restoring Your Historic Home, (blog.accesshorizon.com, May 9, 2012).
Maintaining Authenticity with Historic Home Restoration, (blog.davidsharffarchitect.com, Jan. 25, 2012).
Old House Facets to Keep When Renovating, (networx.com, Nov. 15, 2011).
Restoring a Historic Home, (CoastalLiving.com, May 28, 2011).
Restoring Old Homes, (youtube.com, June 5, 2011).
The Impact of Age on the Value of Historic Homes in a Nationally Recognized Historic District, (The Appraisal Journal, Fall 2011). Q
Protecting History, (Rough Notes, Sept. 2010). Q
Financial help for old house restoration, (OldHouseWeb.com).
35 Tips for Restoring Old Houses, (OldHouseJournal.com).
Tax Incentives for Historic Preservation, (HouseLogic.com, Dec. 14, 2009).
Renovating your home? Come to grips with history, (Boston Business Journal, Oct. 20, 2006).
Historic sites conversions create hurdles for designers, (St. Louis Business Journal, May 26, 2006).
Preserving Property, (Commercial Investment Real Estate, Mar./Apr. 2006).
A sense of history, (Old House Web.com, 2006).
Earning Credit Where Credit is Due, (Buildings, Apr. 2005). Q
Reborn for a New Generation, (Journal of Housing and Community Development, Jan./Feb. 2004). Q
Promoting Preservation, (Commercial Investment Real Estate, Nov./Dec. 2003).
This Old House Restoration May Come With Tough Guidelines, (Realty Times, Nov. 2003).
Restoring Historic Homes, (CNN Money, Feb. 2001).
Useful Websites
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation—The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is an independent Federal agency that promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of our Nation's historic resources, and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy.
Historic Preservation Committee, (American Institute of Architects, 2011)—The mission of the Historic Resources Committee (HRC) is to identify, understand, and preserve architectural heritage, both nationally and internationally. HRC is engaged in promoting the role of the historic architect within the profession through the development of information and knowledge among members, allied professional organizations, and the public.
National Trust for Historic Preservation—The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities.
PreservationDirectory.com, (PreservationDirectory.com, 2011)—The online resource for historic preservation, building restoration and cultural resource management in the United States & Canada.
State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO), (National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places, 2011)—Established under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1996 (Amended), the national historic preservation program is a partnership between the Federal, State, Tribal and local governments; private organizations; and the public. State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) play a critical role carrying out many responsibilities under the Act.
Books, eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Building Codes for Existing and Historic Buildings, (Adobe eBook).
Green Restorations (Adobe eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Appraising conservation and historic preservation easements, (Appraisal Institute, 2011). HD1387 R587
Beyond takings and givings: Saving natural areas, farmland, and historic landmarks with transfer of development rights and density charges, (Marina Del Rey, CA: Arje Press, 2003). NAC 1565 P95b
The restoration economy: the greatest new growth frontier—immediate & emerging opportunities for businesses, communities & investors, (San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2002). HD 9715 C86
Dictionary of building preservation, (New York, NY: John Wiley-DM, 1996). NA 31 D55
Historic properties: preservation and the valuation process, (Chicago, IL: Appraisal Institute, 1996). HD 1387 Am3hi
Historic preservation in American communities, (Washington, D.C.: National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1987). NAC 1276 N21h
New Life for Old Houses, (Chicago, IL: Preservation Press, 1989).
Easements and other legal techniques to protect historic houses in private ownership, (Washington, D.C.: Historic House Association of America, 1981). K 762 H62
The Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitation and guidelines for rehabilitating historic buildings, (Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior. Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, 1980). NAC 250 Un3si
Field Guides & More
These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Researching a Home's History
Field Guide to Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs)
Have an Idea for a New Field Guide?
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The inclusion of links on this field guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this field guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.