Tools

[10 on Tuesday] Restore vs. Rehabilitate: Which is Right for Your Historic House?

Posted on: May 14th, 2013 by Julia Rocchi 2 Comments

 

Our previous toolkit series walked you through the steps of finding and buying a historic house. Now the search is over, and you’re the proud owner of a new old home -- congratulations! Sooo … now what?

As you’ll find out, historic homeownership brings with it a unique set of questions, decisions, and goals. Our next toolkit series is designed to guide you through the process and offer practical advice on how to make the most of your historic home.

Let’s address one of the most basic questions first: Should you restore or rehabilitate your house? Your decision will influence the house’s finished character, the project cost, and the amount of time it takes. It will also impact how much of the work you take on yourself and how much you’ll hand off to professionals.

With this in mind, here are ten things to keep in mind to determine which approach will work best for you:... Read More →

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi is the managing editor for the National Trust. By day she wrangles content; by night (and weekends), she shops local, travels to story-rich places, and walks around looking up at buildings.

[10 on Tuesday] One Last Checklist Before You Buy Your Historic Home

Posted on: May 7th, 2013 by Emily Potter 1 Comment

 

You've launched your search for a historic house, figured out how to finance it, and thoroughly checked whether it’s in good condition. Now you think you’re ready to buy -- so you’re done, right?

Well, almost. Before you sign on the dotted line, use this handy summary checklist -- the final item in our series on buying a historic home -- to make sure you've covered all your bases. (We’ll be back next week with toolkits on getting you settled into your new old house.)

Here are the top 10 questions to ask yourself before putting your John Hancock on the contract:... Read More →

Emily Potter

Emily Potter is a copywriter at the National Trust. She enjoys writing about places of all kinds, the stories that make them special, and the people who love them enough to save them.

[10 on Tuesday] 10 Tips on Inspecting Historic Homes Before You Buy

Posted on: April 30th, 2013 by Sarah Heffern 4 Comments

 

In our ongoing series about buying a historic home, we've covered how to find a historic house, determine its architectural style (parts One and Two), and finance the cost. Today we're on to the next step in the process -- how to inspect the house to make sure it is in good condition.

Of course, a professional inspection -- which will cover many of these same areas, but with greater depth and accuracy -- is necessary once you move from looking to buying, but knowing what to look for while you're shopping around can help you make your decision!... Read More →

Sarah Heffern

Sarah Heffern is the social media strategist for the National Trust’s Public Affairs team. While she embraces all things online and pixel-centric, she’s also a hard-core building hugger, having fallen for preservation in a fifth grade “Built Environment” class.

[10 on Tuesday] How to Finance Your Historic House

Posted on: April 23rd, 2013 by Julia Rocchi 2 Comments

 

We've talked about how to find a historic house and figure out its style (parts One and Two), so this week, we'll cover how you can help pay for it all.

Purchasing a house is a complex process, with many steps, costs, and decisions along the way. When you’re buying a historic house in particular, there are a few different elements and terms you’ll want to be aware of ahead of time so you can prepare and plan accordingly.

Side note: You’ll find this toolkit referencing things like deed restrictions, easements, and historic house inspections. We will explain these concepts in more detail in upcoming toolkits so you have the complete picture.

But in the meantime, let’s talk about the money. Here’s what you need to know about financing your historic house:... Read More →

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi is the managing editor for the National Trust. By day she wrangles content; by night (and weekends), she shops local, travels to story-rich places, and walks around looking up at buildings.

[10 on Tuesday] Buying a Historic Home: What’s Your Style? (Part 1)

Posted on: April 9th, 2013 by Sarah Heffern 5 Comments

 

Last week, we kicked off our series on buying a historic house with a toolkit focused on how to find the right new-to-you home, and this week, we’re moving on to the next step -- identifying the kinds of properties you might find.

Naturally, with the United States being as large as it is, there are a lot of architectural styles to cover. If you’re looking for a home built between approximately 1620 and 1890, today’s post is for you. Tune in next week for part two, which will get through the mid-20th century.

And because architecture, like preservation, comes with a lot of jargon, look for definitions and links throughout for more information.... Read More →

Sarah Heffern

Sarah Heffern is the social media strategist for the National Trust’s Public Affairs team. While she embraces all things online and pixel-centric, she’s also a hard-core building hugger, having fallen for preservation in a fifth grade “Built Environment” class.