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A Homeowner’s Guide to Historic Preservation

Historic homes offer a unique connection to the past, reflecting the architectural styles, craftsmanship, and stories of earlier generations. Owning and maintaining a historic property comes with both responsibilities and rewards. This three-part series is designed to help homeowners uncover their property's history, navigate financial incentives, and learn best practices for preservation and maintenance. By equipping participants with research techniques, funding opportunities, and expert guidance on restoration, this program aims to foster a deeper appreciation for historic homes and empower homeowners to preserve them for future generations.

• Part One – Researching Your Home's History - Thursday, April 17th, 12pm-2pm Pacific
• Part Two – Leveraging Financial Incentives - Tuesday, April 22nd, 12pm-2pm Pacific
• Part Three – Maintaining and Upgrading Your Historic Home - Thursday, May 1st, 12pm-2pm Pacific

Who Should Attend?
This program is ideal for homeowners of historic properties, prospective buyers interested in preservation, architects, real estate professionals, and anyone passionate about maintaining the architectural heritage of their community. Whether you are looking to research your home's past, explore financial incentives, or learn best practices for restoration and maintenance, this series offers valuable insights for preserving historic homes for generations to come.

Attendees are welcome to join all three programs, or pick and choose the ones of interest to them. Programs are priced individually or discounted for all three.

 

Programs

Part 1 - Researching Your Home's History
Part 1 introduces research strategies, key resources, and terminology to help homeowners uncover their property’s past. Participants will learn where to begin their search, how to identify and access historical documents, and what types of records are most useful. The session also explores distinctions between historic resources and landmarks, the importance of historic integrity, and how local and county archives can be utilized for research. An interactive demonstration will showcase how to compile and summarize findings into a cohesive history that highlights the home’s significance.

Part 2 - Leveraging Financial Incentives
Part 2 delves into financial incentives such as the Mills Act and State Historic Tax Credits, explaining the application processes, eligibility criteria, and potential tax reductions. Attendees will learn how to determine whether their jurisdiction participates in these programs and what steps to take if it does not. Additional financial assistance, including earthquake retrofit grants and local preservation funds, will be discussed. The session also covers how to protect a home’s future through deed restrictions, easements, and Mills Act contracts, and considers the broader impact of historic designation on property values.

Part 3 - Maintaining and Upgrading Your Historic Home
Part 3 will cover essential best practices for maintaining, repairing, and upgrading historic properties while adhering to preservation standards, including how and why to follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and how these guidelines impact renovation projects. The session will introduce the California Historical Building Code, highlighting how it differs from conventional building codes and how it can benefit homeowners. Topics will include navigating local regulations for property alterations, assessing whether a project may impact historic features, and distinguishing between maintenance, repair, and replacement (and why this distinction matters). Homeowners will also gain the knowledge to improve energy efficiency in a way that respects the historic character of the home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in: Historic Integrity, Housing, Webinars