Buying a home can be a challenge. There are so many steps involved in the process that anyone can get a little overwhelmed and even discouraged as they navigate the many pitfalls lying in wait. But when you’re buying a home that has some type of historic value, that process will undoubtedly grow more complex. It doesn’t even have to be a building with historic value, as purchasing a home that resides in a historic district presents the same potential challenges.

When you’re dealing with a real estate agent, you’re going to want to ask questions and do some due diligence before you sign on the dotted line.

Real History or Real Hype?

Realtors understand that a historic home purchase relies on demonstrating actual proof of the house having some historical significance. This is important to ascertain up front and when a buyer begins to explore a possible purchase, they’ll want their real estate broker to provide proof as to the validity of the claim.

A house can have historical value in a number of ways. Either the former occupant of the home is part of that historic importance, the home has been designed by a historic architect, or the house holds some other historic value, such as perhaps an important event took place there or some historic moment is associated with the neighborhood.

The Methods for Validation

The best real estate agent is going to have all of the pertinent historical documentation at his or her disposal as a way to validate historical claims when trying to sell the property. However, if these documents are not readily available, then finding real estate agents specializing in historical homes or even local realtors can track these down any number of ways.

Factual proof can be determined by first finding and researching the deed for original ownership and the date the house was built. The National Register of Historic Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are both good resources for determining historic value as well.

Sometimes the best Realtor for buying a historic home is one who specializes in these types of properties and, if you’re looking expressly for a home that has some kind of historic significance, tracking down a realty company and hiring real estate agents that handle these types of properties exclusively is going to be your best bet. These agents often work closely with architectural historians and home conservationists to ensure the houses they are selling actually hold historical importance.

If you are buying or selling a house and are looking to hire a successful real estate agent to help you through the process, take a look at AgentHarvest's list of top-ranking local Realtors in your area. We found these agents by examining their sales track records, awards, rankings, client testimonials and by conducting personal interviews.