Homeowners, Realtors, Contractors Invited to Free Workshops

ALBANY, NY (04/12/2011)(readMedia)-- Western New York homeowners, commercial property owners, realtors, contractors, and community leaders are invited to attend a meeting to find out how to save money while making repairs to older homes in the region.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Preservation League of New York State will present a series of free workshops in the Buffalo area to help residents take advantage of a tax credit for repairs to older buildings. The City of Buffalo, Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, and Preservation Buffalo Niagara are sponsoring the workshop series, which is expected to draw participants from around the region.

The workshops will be held April 20 and 21, and each will be tailored to a particular audience. People may attend more than one workshop, but seating is limited and reservations are required by close of business on Monday, April 18. During the workshops, staff from the State Historic Preservation Office will review the basic guidelines of the program and answer questions about the application process.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, April 20 ~ 1:00-2:30 PM
  HISTORIC HOMEOWNER AND COMMERCIAL TAX CREDITS FOR REALTORS
  Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, 200 John James Audubon Parkway, Suite 201, Amherst
  Realtors will be briefed on the benefits and requirements of the Historic Homeowner Tax Credit for owners of historic homes and commercial properties. Find out how properties can qualify. RSVP to Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors at 716-636-9000.
  
• Wednesday, April 20 ~ 6:30-8:00 PM
  HISTORIC HOMEOWNER TAX CREDITS
  Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, 641 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo
  Representatives of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will explain how owners of historic homes can take advantage of New York State's Historic Homeowner Tax Credit. RSVP to Preservation Buffalo Niagara at 716-852-3300 or e-mail info@p-b-n.org. Please provide name, contact information and the name of the workshop.
  
• Thursday, April 21 ~ 7:30-9:00 AM
  HISTORIC HOMEOWNER TAX CREDITS FOR CONTRACTORS AND DESIGN PROFESSIONALS
  Towne Restaurant, 186 Allen Street, Buffalo
  Contractors, architects and others who work on homes in the many National Register Historic Districts in Erie and Niagara counties will learn how they can help their customers take advantage of Historic Homeowner Tax Credits for rehabilitation work on their homes. RSVP to Preservation Buffalo Niagara at 716-852-3300 or e-mail info@p-b-n.org. Please provide name, contact information and the name of the workshop.
  

The workshops are free and open to the public and refreshments will be served. Additional support for the workshops is provided by the Empire State Development Corporation, the Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Site and the Towne Restaurant.

The New York State Historic Homeowner Tax Credit Program will cover 20% of qualified rehabilitation costs of owner-occupied historic houses, up to a credit value of $50,000. The NYS Historic Commercial Properties Tax Credit will cover up to 20% of qualified rehabilitation costs up to a credit value of $5 million.

"The Historic Preservation Tax Credit can be an effective tool in revitalizing the historic neighborhoods and commercial districts of upstate's cities and villages," said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "And it's a great tool for homeowners and businesses to save significant money on improvements to their properties."

"This is the perfect time to finally fix that leaking roof, or repair drafty windows," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League of New York State. "This tax credit can help homeowners provide safer and healthier homes for their families, and protect the investments of business owners for years to come."

This program requires that the building be individually listed in the State or National Register of Historic Places, or in a listed historic district. Additionally, the building must be located in a qualifying census tract, and at least $5,000 must be spent on the project.

According to Henry McCartney, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, "We view this credit as a wonderful benefit for Allentown and many other historic districts throughout our region. Homeowners now have this great incentive to fix up their properties and, as many do so, they are also improving their own neighborhoods."

To find out if a home is eligible, please go to http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/tax-credit-programs or contact Sloane Bullough at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at 518-237-8643, ext. 3252. Eligibility information will also be available at the workshops.