4 Tips For Selling Historic Homes In Massachusetts
As a state ripe with American history, there are quite a few historic properties in Massachusetts. If you find yourself in a position to sell one of these properties, there are a few key things that you will want to know.
What Is Considered A Historic Property?
There are a couple of factors that decide whether or not a property is considered historic. The National Register of Historic Places criteria takes into account:
- Age: Generally, historic properties should be 50 years old or older. However, there are a few exceptions to this criteria based on historical significance.
- Integrity: While renovations/rehabilitations are usually necessary for structural safety, the property should mostly look the same way it did in the past.
- Historical Significance: And of course, the property should be associated with significant historical events or individuals, or feature “significant architectural history.”
For a more comprehensive breakdown of what makes a historic property, please visit the National Register of Historic Places guide for listing historic for listing a property.
Expert Tips For Selling Historic Properties
But what about selling historic properties or homes? Here, we’ll go over a few expert tips for selling historic homes on your docket.
But remember, there are many aspects to selling historic properties, so be sure to keep doing your research and maybe even come up with some creative techniques of your own!
1. Treat The Property Like A Work of Art
Historic homes and properties should be treated as a work of art. Therefore, you want to carefully preserve the original integrity of the property while also maintaining its quality and historical aesthetics. The more care you put into the property, the faster you can get it sold.
2. Embrace The Home’s History In Your Marketing
When marketing and listing historic properties, be sure to embrace the home’s history. Many, especially here in the New England area, would cherish the opportunity to own or live in a piece of local history. You may even want to consult a local historian to learn everything you can about the property.
3. Have The Property Inspected Thoroughly
Historic properties are typically, well, old! While you want to retain most of the property’s original charm and authenticity, it is essential to inspect the property thoroughly. While showing and selling the property, you definitely don’t want any nasty accidents due to aging home infrastructure.
4. Learn Financial Incentives For Historic Homes
Many historic properties qualify for various financial incentives, especially when selling to organizations. Be sure to do your research and add these incentives into your marketing and sales pitch, as they present an excellent opportunity to further prove the advantages of owning historic property.
