Scenarios and Guidance
Prospective Historic Property Buyer/Seller
If you’re a prospective buyer or seller of a historic property who wants to know more about how to assess or market your property, and whether there are any restrictions on its use, alteration, or demolition, these are some common scenarios you may encounter. Within each scenario is a number of resources that may be helpful.
A prospective buyer or seller wants to learn if the property they’re interested in buying or selling is historic.
1. Use ConnCRIS to determine if the property is on the State or National Register of Historic Places and to gather other important information.
- Properties may be designated “historic” at three levels: national, state, and local. With state or national designation (through the National Register of Historic Places) there are few restrictions on what an owner can do with their property. If a property is locally-designated as historic, there may be restrictions.
- Find out if it is already protected using the Local Historic Districts and Properties tool or contact your local planning department and inquire about its status.
2. Contact PCT’s Circuit Riders with questions.
A prospective buyer or seller wants to learn if the historic property they are interested in buying or selling has any restrictions on its use, alteration, or demolition.
1. At the local level, the property may be located within a special overlay zone or District, which may have specific guidelines and requirements for the use of, and alterations to, the property. The town or city in which the property is located may also have a demolition delay ordinance. Check PCT’s Is My Property Historic? and ConnCRIS to find out if your property has any restrictions.
- If the property is designated as historic, it may be listed on the State Register or National Register of Historic Places. There are relatively few restrictions that come with these listings, but there are several which a property owner should be aware of. For example, if your project includes certain state and federal funding and/or permitting, the project may need to abide by Section 106 review or the CT Environmental Protection Act. Contact the SHPO to check before you get started.
2. Learn about ownership and any easements or restrictive covenants that have been filed by accessing the Connecticut Town Land Records.
A prospective buyer or seller wants to learn how best to market a historic property that they are interested in selling.
1. Contact PCT about their Properties Exchange.
2. Watch a PCT program video about Selling Historic buildings.
3. Contact PCT to talk about hosting an Open House Talk event at the property.
A prospective buyer or seller needs professional services to assess the property. (e.g. home inspector, real estate agent, or architect)
1. Search for a qualified home inspector who understands historic houses.
2. Ask your real estate agent whom they would recommend.
3. Find a professional who supports historic Preservation through PCT’s Preservation Directory.
Be Inspired!
National Trust for Historic Preservation: How to Find a Historic House
Browse inspirational historic listings nationwide through “Cheap Old Houses” and CIRCA.
General Resources
Preservation Guidelines
- Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
- National Park Service “Preservation Briefs”
State Funding
Research