Looking for the perfect historical home in Washington DC? With 46 designated historic districts, this is like going on a treasure hunt in the DC area. Hunting for, caring for, living in, and just enjoying old homes can be a very rewarding experience. The surreal lifestyle offered within the charming historic districts continue to make the older historic homes very attractive and always in demand.
Many think that one has to be rich to own a historic home but that really is not true. Contrary to popular belief, within the DC area, most historic districts are home to average middle class people of modest means. The District of Columbia, has been a forerunner in working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and along with 37 other states, DC has enacted laws enabling individuals with incentives for owning historic properties that meet specific criteria.
The Historic Preservation move is aimed at keeping the history and urban districts alive. DC continues to be a forerunner in rebuilding communities while preserving historic buildings. Much of the money is directed towards the housing stock in deteriorating neighborhoods. The various federal and state programs are making home ownership easier for those who may need a boost to finance a new home. So now is a perfect time to reap the rewarding benefits of owning and restoring a historical home here in the DC area.
If you are looking to purchase a home with the charm of history, Rachel Valentino wants to make sure that you know about several great historic preservations and rehabilitation programs.
Current Federal, State and Local Programs:
In general, the federal government directs its efforts towards revitalizing the nations cities while providing affordable living, housing and jobs. Currently, the federal tax credits are for the larger income, housing and job producing projects - not for rehabilitating your personal home.
Keep in touch with your Rachel, a top DC area Realtor® who can let you know if legislation changes offering federal incentives for refurbishing or buying a historic home. There are currently a couple of bills on the floor supporting individual homeowners having access to the monies for restoration.
Here are some tips on locating Federal Grant money for renovating your historic home:
1. You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support home repairs.
2. There is a grant from US Department of Agriculture called Section 504 that helps very Low-Income individuals receive Housing Repair Loans and Grants. Section 504 assistance helps very- low-income homeowners repair, modernize, or modify their homes. Loans may also be used to make homes more accessible for household members with disabilities.
•Ø Program Details: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ny/504brochure.pdf
Check out the great options available from state and local agencies
There are some great incentives to make your dream renovation come true here in the District of Columbia. Since initiating the Historic Homeowner Grant Program, the DC government has funded over $1.5 million in rehabilitation in our historic districts. There are 12 eligible districts and the agency received over 250 grant applications. The HPO hopes to impact at least another 30 projects in 2010.
Look at the actual results of how this money can be used to recreate the original beauty and richness of these old homes. If you want to see the dramatic changes made possible through this program, you can view before and after photographs of recently completed projects at
Residential properties located outside of these historic districts may be eligible for the Single 
Family Residential Rehabilitation Program offered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
If all else fails, a 203K loan may provide the needed funds.
Can you imagine yourself living in a home with lots of history, unique detailing, and rare craftsmanship? DC property offerings are a wealth of historical properties and historic districts.
So if you really want to make owning a historic home a reality call Rachel Valentino today to discuss current residential options. Rachel Valentino is a top specialist in the D.C. area no matter what your needs are. You can go to Atlantic Coast Connection website to look for that perfect older home in one of DC's many charming historic areas. Be a part of the Urban Renaissance by helping preserving the past.
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