Selling Historic Austin: New Building Regulations and Local Historic Districts

For the past couple of years it has been hard to keep up with controversies and changes in the city preservation program and neighborhood plans, as well as new regulations for development in Central Austin. The Heritage Society and the Austin Board of REALTORS_ are offering a one-day MCE course that will address all these topics and more. Designed primarily for real estate agents who want to improve their knowledge and skills in working with old and historic homes, the course is also open to anyone who wants to attend. The course, entitled “Marketing and Selling Historic Properties,” has been offered a dozen times over the past six years and evolves to meet changes and trends in Austin’s older neighborhoods.

City Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky will give an overview of the history of Austin's architecture and neighborhoods and information on Federal, State and Local regulations related to historic preservation, including tax incentives for rehabilitation of historic buildings. Economist Michael Oden will cover the economic impact of historic preservation efforts, and HSA board member and REALTOR ® Lin Team will offer tools for the successful marketing of historic property and neighborhoods.

HSA president-elect John Donisi, who served on the city’s preservation task force, will explain the new rules covering local historic districts; Architect William Burckhardt, a member of the city’s task force on building regulations (aka “McMansion” task force) will present graphic illustrations of the effects the new regulations may have on efforts to preserve neighborhood character. Austin Neighborhood Council Chair Laura Morrison will discuss the importance of neighborhood planning in protecting and preserving property values and quality of life in our neighborhoods.

This offering by HSA and ABOR always receives high marks in participant evaluations as a continuing education event that is stimulating and inspiring. That will surely be the case again this year, with so many vital questions being addressed.

Curriculum:

The revised and updated curriculum will cover:
- History of Austin’s architecture and neighborhoods
- Federal, State and Local preservation regulations, new Local Historic Districts and Building Regulations
- Special techniques for marketing and selling historic properties
- Economics of preservation

Presenters for the course will be:
- John Donisi, Preservation Task Force member and HSA President Elect
- Laura Morrison, Austin Neighborhood Council Chair
- Michael Oden, Economist from the UT School of Architecture
- Steve Sadowsky, City of Austin Preservation Officer.
- Lin Team, Realtor ® and HSA Board member

Wednesday, September 13
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Austin Board of Realtors
10900 Stonelake Blvd. Suite 100, 78759.

Register at www.abor.com or 454-7636.