Marketing your Older Home

While today's home shoppers are used to walk-in closets, three car garages, technology and jacuzzi tubs, many are captured by the charm and beauty of a well-kept older home.

Homes older than 80 years are becoming less common. Historic neighborhoods are limited in quantity and are the treasure of most major cities. The style of architecture and craftmanship found in older houses is often lacking in new construction. Older houses appeal to our emotion and sense of history and add to the charm and value of any neighborhood.

When marketing and selling a historic property or older home, leave the conventional methods behind. Target the right kind of buyer for your one of a kind house.

When marketing your older home, tug at the heartstrings. Buying an older home is an emotional decision. Perhaps their grandparents lived in a beautiful American brownstone; maybe they spent summers on a farm when they were children. Even though not all buyers are drawn to a piece of history, many are. Think about the people who faithfully watch "This Old House", are history lovers, collect antiques, love architecture or are preservation-minded. Speak directly to these people in your marketing. They are your audience and the future buyer of your delightful, unique older home.

Other techniques to set yourself apart and are tailored for buyer of an older home are:

1. Emphasize the historical value and location of the home.
2. Research and prepare a written history of the property. Include any old photographs you find. Places to find help in compliling your homes history are the county and/or city government offices, the historical society and your local library.
3. Investigate internet sites that specialize in buying and selling older homes: oldhouses.com; historicproperties.com; thisoldhouse.com; nationaltrust.org
4. Contact your local newspaper and suggest an article on your home's history and beauty.
5. Create a webpage at www.infotube.net, specifically for your older home.
6. Advertise in publications like This Old House and Country Living Magazine.
7. Familiarize yourself with regulations related to historic preservation. Consider writing an article for your newspaper and be sure to mention your house.
8. Hold a special open house in cooperation with the area Historical Society.
9. Research to see if grants or tax credits are available to the buyer of your older home.
10. Put together a "brag book" for people to read as they view your home: Include a photo album, copy of the home's history, newspaper articles about the home, issues of relevant magazines, restoration and maintenance tips, cinclude copies of the home pages of websites like restorationtrades.com and restorationhardware.com
11. Do a direct mailing about the property in your community. Be sure to include all Realtors within a 20 mile radius, the local paper and your prospects and clients.
12. Send a mailing to members or post an ad in the Historical Preservation Society newsletter invite them to your Open House.

In marketing your older home, appeal to heart, emotion and sense of individuality. No bland white box with a walk-in closet can compete. I should know, the home I chose was hand-built in 1903. I smile everyday, as I pull into the driveway, approaching my one of a kind piece of Americana.