Harsh Realities for Those Who Buy Historic

Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria and Capitol Hill are all known for their lovely old homes. They're also renowned for some of the region's most popular historic districts.

Such districts help protect the character of older neighborhoods, but living in them can pose special concerns.

"People are attracted to historic charm, the town-center lifestyle," said John Randolph, assistant manager for Long & Foster's Old Town Alexandria office. But the historic district rules can be frustrating. "You have to adapt to the house," he said. "If you're fixated on a luxury master bathroom," and the house doesn't already have one, you need to look elsewhere.

Parking is another issue -- those older, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods often have relatively little of it, and the houses aren't likely to have garages. "People are amazed that you can spend a million and a half for a property in which you have to scramble for parking," Randolph said.

Here are some other key questions home buyers should ask before buying in a historic neighborhood:

¿ Is the property covered by a historic district? This may seem obvious, but it isn't always. Historic districts aren't limited to the famously old neighborhoods. The District has 26 historic districts, in neighborhoods including Dupont Circle, Shaw, Cleveland Park and Anacostia. The home's seller should disclose to a buyer if a house is in a historic district; read the listing and your contract carefully, and check the address against historic district boundaries. Local government offices can provide this information.

Also, a particular house may not be governed by all the rules, depending on when it was built. Inquire about your address, not just the block. Pay attention to the designation of the specific property, not necessarily the district, said Daniel F. Metcalf, an agent in Long & Foster's Bethesda office who frequently works in Takoma Park, which has a historic district.

¿ What's the process for proposed renovations? Who decides what is allowed? It's often an arm of the local government's planning and zoning office. For example, in the District, such reviews are conducted by the Office of Planning's Historic Preservation Review Board. In Old Town Alexandria, it's the Boards of Architectural Review. In Annapolis, such decisions are made by a Historic Preservation Commission.

If a homeowner disagrees with a decision, it can usually be appealed.

Historic districts also frequently have historic preservation societies. These nonprofit groups do not have enforcement powers, but they can provide guidance on how to keep changes in character with the neighborhood. They're also the most likely source of opposition to a proposed project. Find out who runs the group and whether interactions with the rest of the homeowners are cordial.