Field Guide to Historic Properties

(Updated April 2007)

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. (D. McCormick, Technical Coordinator)

Contents: 

Information from NAR  |  General Information about Historic Property  |  Historic Property Appraisal  |  Renovation & Restoration  |  Useful Websites  |  Books, eBooks & Other Resources


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

History for Sale, (National Association of REALTORS®; Smart Growth, 2007).

Historic Opportunities in Real Estate Facts #1, (National Association of REALTORS®; Public Affairs, 2007).

Historic Opportunities in Real Estate Facts #2, (National Association of REALTORS®; Public Affairs, 2007).

Selling a Bit of History, (REALTOR® Magazine, Sept. 2006). 

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).

Living history: How homeowners in a new local historic district negotiate their legal obligations, (Yale Law Journal, Jan. 2007). Q

Security and Historic Properties: Preserving and Securing America's Past, (Buildings, Oct. 2006).

Back to the Future, (Journal of Property Management, Jan./Feb. 2006). Q

Historic property: myths and truths, (Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine, Dec. 2005).

Mergers and Requisitions, (Planning, Oct. 2005). Q

Marketing Older Homes, (Realty Times, Aug. 2005).

Who's in Control Here?, (Planning, June 2005). Q

Caught Between Housing & History, (Journal of Housing and Community Development, Sept./Oct.. 2004). Q

Converting tax incentives into profitable historic rehabilitation projects, (Real Estate Issues, Winter 2004-2005).

Historic tax credit use continues to rise, (Multi-Housing News, July 2002).

Federal historic tax credit aids adaptive reuse developers, (Commercial Investment Real Estate, Sept./Oct. 2001).

Historic undertakings: Notable old properties offer unique opportunities to preserve the past, (Commercial Investment Real Estate, Jan./Feb. 2000).

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

Renovating your home? Come to grips with history, (Boston Business Journal, Oct. 20, 2006).

Preservation Instinct, (Business Week, Sept. 18 2006). Q

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).

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.

State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO), (National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places, 2007). - 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.

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.

Historic Preservation Committee, (American Institute of Architechts, 2007). - 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.

PreservationDirectory.com, (PreservationDirectory.com, 2007). - The online resource for historic preservation, building restoration and cultural resource management in the United States & Canada.


Books, eBooks & Other Resources

eBooks.realtor.org

The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

A Dictionary of Architecture (Mobipocket)

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.

Tips for selling high-priced historic homes, (Real Estate Professional, Nov./Dec. 2004, p. 40).

Putting the history back in historic preservation, (The Urban Lawyer, Spring 2004, p. 289-316).

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

Historic reuse, (Urban Land, Oct. 2003, p. 65-72).

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

America's 11 most endangered historic places: summary report, (Washington, D.C.: National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2001). NAC 1276 N21a

Preserving our heritage: Agents who specialize in historic homes are passionate about preserving history and charm. Plus, they've learned how to profit from their passion, (Real Estate Law Report, July/Aug. 2000, p. 40-44).

To save old buildings or not - that is the question, (National Real Estate Investor, June 2000, p. 36).

REALTOR® advantage: how to tap into the historic home market, (Florida REALTOR®, Mar. 2000, p. 32-33).

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 Remodeling

Field Guide to Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs)

Field Guide to Researching a Home's History

InfoCentral Blog

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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 to 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.

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