A lot of buyers fall for the same thing in Old Town Tustin: a deep porch, wood windows, a street where the houses look like they’ve been there a while. They have. And a historic home in Tustin can come with a few strings that a newer tract house doesn’t.
None of them are deal-breakers. But they’re easier to deal with before you’re in escrow than after you’ve got the keys.
Why Older Tustin Homes Need Extra Homework
The city maintains a Historic Resources Survey of properties that may have historic significance. According to Tustin’s historic preservation programs page, the city has a 2021 Historical Resources Survey, design guidelines for its Cultural Resources District, and a property tax program for qualifying historic homes.
So the status of a specific house matters. Two homes a block apart can have different historic designations, eligibility, or preservation considerations, and a listing description won’t always tell you which is which.
5 Things to Know Before You Buy
1. Find Out How the House Is Classified
Ask the listing agent, and then ask the city. You want to know whether the property sits in the Cultural Resources District and whether it’s rated in the 2021 survey, since that rating can affect which programs it qualifies for…