Tips for Buying a Historic Home in Arlington, VA

The thought of buying a historic home is exciting for many people. Historic homes are beautiful, and you’ll enjoy telling the story about your home each time you welcome guests or host an event. It’s important to recognize that these homes often come with special requirements or responsibilities that aren’t associated with other properties. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for historic Arlington homes for sale.

Not all old homes qualify as “historic” homes. Typically a home must meet additional criteria before it can be considered a historic home. Perhaps the home was once owned by an individual who was important in the life of the community. Maybe it features unique design characteristics or building materials that associate it with key historical attributes. Some historic homes receive this distinction because of a connection with a significant historical event. A historic home doesn’t have to meet all of these qualifications, but it must check at least one of these boxes in addition to being more than 50 years old.

You become a part of something bigger than yourself when you buy a historic home. You’ll have the chance to share your home’s story with a variety of people. You’ll enjoy the unique feeling of living in a home that has deep historical roots. While this may be the most obvious benefit of owning a historical home, it’s certainly not the only advantage. Historic homes often come with various tax benefits because of how the home is working to preserve history. The federal government provides owners of historic homes with various tax credits for the operation and upkeep of their historic homes. Other grants provide additional funding for anyone who is working to keep up a historical property. You may qualify for other forms of financial assistance if you’re doing any sort of renovations on the home.

Historic homes often cost more than other homes. There are also stricter regulations in terms of what renovations you can and can’t do. This often depends on whether or not your home is in a historic district more frequently visited by tourists. The local homeowner’s association may also come into play. Renovations can often be more complicated because of permits you must acquire, especially if the work you’re doing impacts the external appearance of the home. You can expect to pay more for repairs and renovations regardless of what you choose to do because of the age of the home. The home might also need more routine maintenance or more frequent repairs because of its age.

Some features of historic homes are attractive to people who are shopping for homes. Others will find the same qualities less appealing. Much of it depends on the state of the district itself. The location also plays a key role as well. Historic homes will sell much more quickly than other homes in some markets. Keep in mind that data is limited because owners of historic homes will often hang onto their properties longer than homeowners who have other types of homes.

You’ll want to tour as many homes as you can during the process of shopping for a historic home. This will give you a chance to find a feel for what styles and design features you like best. You’ll also need to get a pre-approval letter that you can share with the seller when you make an offer on their home. You’ll likely face tougher competition when shopping for historic homes, and you’ll want to do whatever you can to set yourself apart as the most qualified buyer. Once you agree to a deal to purchase a home, it’s essential that you go through with the home inspection. Historical homes can have issues that are hard to see on the surface and that you won’t find in homes that have been built more recently. Make sure you choose an inspector who has experience working with older homes and understands what unique questions and concerns will come into play.

Sometimes, the district where the home is located will have specific restrictions and requirements for all homeowners. If this applies to the home that you’re buying, you’ll want to know about it ahead of time. You should also research average repairs and maintenance costs associated with maintaining the home. This will help you financially plan for the future and ensure that no surprises come up down the road.

Some historic properties do not have the same tax requirements as other homes do. This is because of various preservation organizations that work to lessen the tax liability on owners of historic homes. They may also assist in the protection and maintenance of your home. The best way to learn about the benefits that might be available to you is to contact the National Register of Historic Places or the State Historic Preservation Office.

Many people have found that Brian Siebel is the best person to help them shop for homes in the Arlington area. Brian is an expert when it comes to buying and selling historic homes. He uses his wide range of connections with various industry professionals to help each client he works with. He loves helping people buy and sell Arlington real estate and takes pride in helping each client get the best deal. Reach out to Brian when you’re ready to begin shopping for Arlington homes for sale.