275 Year Old Rehab???

Hey guys,
Historical house, pre-revolutionary war. House and area has a lot of history to you. Milita generals and commanders stayed in the houses, (including this one) and the british were actually in this town looking for a specific general of the continental army, but he hid in the walls of a house accross the street, and they marched to lexington looking for him, where the "shot heard round the world" was heard. Anyway. The house now is in tax title, and has been for years "previous owner wont pay taxes on inhabitable house. Historical society can't do anything with it, my question, is tha tI heard someone that the gov't will grant money towards the renovation of a historical property, providing that the property is rehabed to certain guidelines. Is this true? If so, whom do I contact?

Comments(7)

  • Lufos28th April, 2004

    My ancestors were split down the middle. One was the Commanding Officer of the Royal American Rifles Regiment. Actualy had rifles and could hit things. Rather advanced for its day. The other was (he says) in the Continental Navy. I think he was a pirate sailing under letters of Marque. At the end of the war. The Pirate stayed and on to riches and four horse carriages. The other went to England retired on half pay and came back to settle in Nova Scotia where he grew apples and bitched about the weather.

    What is this Tax title? can you pay your way into ownership and for how much. What is the amount of land in the surround? Can a release as to prior ownership interest be obtained. Would you like to form a non profit. Citizens for the conservation of design, poor plumbing and bad one dimensional art. Whatever name you www.like.Given an affirmative on the above. You clean title into the Non Profit, the Non Profit then rents to a historicaly correct family. Given to consumption of Opiates (Laudunum), and writing in Horn Books. We play a similar game out here with early Adobes. Can be profitable. But wait til you hand aze your first replacement beam. Yip.

    Lucius

  • Birddog129th April, 2004

    Ok, so form a non-profit organization, have the gov fund that? But on the back side, after your all done with the work, won't it be fraud when I sell it and pull in a a profit?

  • pejames29th April, 2004

    Eric,
    Most states and cities have funding for these types of projects, the kicker with them is that you have to pay half in most cases and they will pay half. BUT, YOU have to come up with your part first. These entities are usually called Historical Societies. The local government or even someone with a home from the historical times will have info for you. Besides, you never know... they may come up with funding for this one if it has that much history.
    Good luck

  • QuietStorm29th April, 2004

    In my city I would contact the Department of Cultural Affairs (primarily, althought other departments could be involved in this process which includes dept of planning (for zoning)), but every city is different. Hopefully, your city is fairly up to date and has a website with info on services that they provide and which departments to go to. But if not, then you may have to do some leg work. Good place to start is your county or state office which should, hopefully, have a website to make it easier. The good news is that I believe smaller cities have one department that does multiple tasks so there is less running around to get things done.

  • NancyChadwick29th April, 2004

    Suggest you check these URL's out on the National Park Service website concerning listing a property on the National Historic Register:

    http://www.cr.nps.gov/places.htm

    http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/results.htm

    The second URL may provide you the info you're looking for--see also the link to the Heritage Preservation Services page.

  • InActive_Account29th April, 2004

    What are your intentions to do with this property? Fix it up and sell it?

    Unless there is some exception in Lakeville MA, any house that is a historical property is going to be braindamage squared. You won't be able to fart near the place without going before a historical preservation board and getting permission for the duration and the amplitude of the gas you wish to pass, and they may take up to 90 days to get back to you just to tell you that they would like you to submit stamped drawings of the fart you wish to pass along with scratch & sniff samples.

  • Boston3rd May, 2004

    First of all, I'm still laughing about the previous email's breakdown of the proper protocol of breaking wind. As funny as it is, there is quite a bit of truth there.

    Back on point: There are two programs that I know of (but not a great deal about).
    The first has become popular here in Back Bay, Beacon Hill & the South End. I believe it is called the National Historic Trust. You recieve no money. You are, in essence, selling the facade of your structure for a tax credit.

    In western MA, I have seen actual grants. Catch is you are selling the development rights- and it's forever.

    In either case, I don't think these programs are what you are looking for. Please PM me if you find a better program. I'd love to know what is out there!

    PS Have any interest in downtown condos for rehabb?

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