I live in Olympia's South Capitol Neighborhood, which is a nationally recognized historic district. As such, any remodeling plans have to be approved not just by the city, but also by the Olympia Heritage Commission. Many home buyers will not be aware of this requirement until they submit their permit requests and then may possibly get turned down. If you're a Realtor with clients who fall in love with the charm of a historic home, but have plans to add on a sun-room, tear out the steep spindled staircase or pave the back yard, please have them check with the Heritage Commission's guidelines first before they hire an architect for the design work. I would hate to get that phone call from a client who bought a historic home with the mindset to make significant changes to it, only to find out that those changes are not permitted, in which he asks me "Why did you not tell me this when you sold us the house?".

Go online to get information about Heritage Commission guidelines.

Sandy Nelson
Realtor for Olympia Area Real Estate
http://www.sandynelsonrealestate.com/