How to Sell a Historical House

If you’re selling your historic home, you want to sell it for a price worthy of its historic value, not to mention the investments you’ve made in preservation and maintenance. But you also want to attract buyers who appreciate the historic qualities of your property and will care for it as painstakingly as you have throughout the years. Here’s how to sell your historical home with these goals in mind.

Know Your Property's Backstory

Selling a historical home means that you’ll attract a different type of buyer, often knowledgeable investors or history buffs who take pride in restoring historic properties with careful attention to the original features of the home. Thus, potential buyers will likely come armed with a long list of questions that you must be prepared to answer.

If you’re unsure of the specific facts surrounding your home’s history, do your research before listing your home. These facts create a compelling backstory about your property that you can use to attract buyers.

Questions potential buyers may ask:

• What year was the home built?
• What substantial renovations or restorations have been made to your property?
• Are there any significant historical facts, such as famous or notable former owners or residents?
• Is the builder’s credit history satisfactory with no open liens or judgments?
• What features remain original?

Make Basic Repairs with Caution

The usual repairs and renovations that you might make before listing your home must be carefully handled when selling an old house. For instance, replacing drafty windows may not be advisable because this would detract from the original look and feel of the home and reduce its historic value.

While you should clean your home thoroughly, use caution on original finishes. Likewise, a fresh coat of paint can make your home more appealing, but you should avoid covering original finishes and using colors not appropriate for the time period in which your home was built.

If your property is distressed and you don’t have the time or the funds for restoration, you can still find a buyer, but be honest in the listing materials. Disclosing the distressed status of your home may appeal to some buyers who are looking for a creative home restoration project.

There are some federal tax breaks for renovating historic buildings, but these are limited to non-residential or income-producing properties. However, you should look into state-specific and local incentives for purchasing or restoring historic homes and make prospective buyers aware of these benefits.

Selling a vintage home is about restoration, preservation, and education. Your home’s unique history and original fixtures and finishes may be the primary selling points that earn you the selling price you’re hoping for.