Some of the historic pockets in Halton Hills are truly a sight to behold! In Georgetown, a stroll down Main Street South or Queen Street features a variety of beautiful older homes that take you to a completely different era. Classic brick exteriors, all meticulously maintained, of course, just come with the territory in beautiful Halton Hills. And those stunning porches are just calling out for families and friends to gather around. But what is a heritage home versus a gorgeous older architecture home, and what does that mean when buying or selling? In this post, we will endeavour to find out.

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What Is Considered a Heritage Home?

All across Canada, the term “heritage home” tends to get thrown around quite loosely. If a house seems to be old enough to be featured in a period piece movie, people will often call it a heritage home. However, the honour isn’t just about age or appearance.

In fact, the province has what’s called the Ontario Heritage Act, which outlines the guidelines for obtaining official designation.

There is a process before a property can truly and officially become known as a heritage building. First, it has to be formally recognized by the municipality as having significant cultural value or interest.

A single property can earn recognition from the municipal council — in our case, the Town of Halton Hills. Unique architectural features, construction materials, or a historical association with a particular person or event can put a property on the path to designation.

Sometimes, an entire neighbourhood can be designated as a Heritage Conservation District. This means all properties within the boundaries must abide by a set of guidelines to ensure any upgrades or renovations honour the historical character of the area.

Do you want to get to know the beautiful Town of Halton Hills even better? Start with the related reading below:

Making It Official: A Step-by-Step Process

It’s usually the property owner who initiates the process. However, anyone in the community or on staff with the city can make a recommendation — with or without your approval. Alternatively, you may seek designation to prevent any intrusive developments that undermine the historical value of your home.

The first step is to contact the Town of Halton Hills committee to express your interest. Be sure to have a good reason why your house qualifies. Perhaps someone of significant historical importance once lived there, or maybe your land was the site of a famous event that made it to the history books.

If the council reviews your application and agrees that your property has cultural heritage value, they will pass a motion to show an intention to designate. You’ll be notified in writing — in fact, the notice will even be published in your local newspaper. Your home is about to become a local star!

After the notice is published, you will have a 30-day period to decide what to do. If you agree to the designation, just sit back and relax, and let the process unwind naturally. If you object, you can appeal to the municipal council to remove your home from consideration. The Ontario Land Tribunal will make the final decision, which is binding.

Once the process is complete, the municipality will formally designate the property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. You’ll receive a detailed statement to let you know which attributes of the property you must conserve. In addition, the designation will be registered on your property title at the land registry office.

How is buying or selling a century home different? Find out in the posts below:

Heritage Home Renovations

Why would anyone object to a heritage designation? Think about what it means to your freedom to do what you want with your home. For example, most homeowners will want to renovate or upgrade at some point.

This process can be a little more complex if your house is on the list of heritage properties. All projects must conserve the home’s overall character and significance. Obviously, damaged and worn-out features will need to be repaired at some point — the operative word here being “repaired” rather than replaced.

Heritage renovation rules often limit the use of materials to those which are historically accurate or compatible with maintaining the construction. Woodwork framing may be necessary, or contractors may need to use a specific type of mortar when restoring the brickwork.

Exterior renovations are subject to the strictest rules, whereas you will have a little more flexibility in how you design and upgrade the interior. In addition, you can upgrade the home to meet modern building codes and to improve energy efficiency. Still, it is critical to maintain the structural integrity and the key heritage attributes of the home.

Always consult with the municipality and obtain a Heritage Permit before you begin any plans. Often, you’ll need to include detailed architectural drawings, a list of materials you intend to use, and an explanation as to how your upgrades will preserve the home’s historical value.

Are you looking for a piece of history to call your own? You may find your perfect home right here in our featured listings.

The Benefits of Heritage Designation

Properties with heritage designation can retain their value better over time, especially during market downturns. It turns out, many buyers are willing to pay a premium to own a slice of history.

You might even be eligible for grants to cover a portion of the cost when restoring any original heritage attributes back to their historical glory, such as repairs to the original windows, brickwork, or roof.

One might say that simply owning land worthy of such historical significance is reward enough. To solidify your home’s status, you can even obtain and proudly display a heritage plaque for all to see.

Buying or selling a home? Our Georgetown real estate agents can help. Give us a call directly at 905-873-9944, email us at info@lisahartsink.com or fill out the form on this page to get in touch!