If you've always yearned to restore an old train station, or if your heart beats faster at the thought of owning a 1920s bungalow or an historic Frederick row house, or your dream is to sit and rock on the front porch of your own Queen Anne Victorian, it is especially important to have an agent on your side who loves and understands older homes.

Finding the home that fits requires patience, persistence and care, as well as the experience to help you decide whether to continue with a particular house or to keep looking.

As with any home purchase, matching your financial capabilities with the right loan program and the kind of home you want is the important first step to buying an historic home. In addition to the mortgage program for your older home, there are financial incentives you may be able to access to offset the cost of renovations.

Also critical is finding the other information you'll want for your historic or older home. There are many public and private sources of information, from the State Historic Preservation Office and county and local Historic Districts and Preservation Commissions, to the private companies that specialize in the history, renovation or architecture of old homes.

So, whether you just enjoy the character of an older home, or you're a purist who will accept nothing less than total adherence to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards, I'd love to assist you in your search and purchase. As the owner of an 1830s home, I know firsthand that owning an old home is both a very rewarding and, sometimes, a very frustrating experience. This has led me to learn as much as possible about all aspects of older homes, including being trained in historic homes by the National Trust For Historic Preservation and serving on the Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission.

Please contact me if you are ready to embark on the quest for an older home or just have questions. And remember that I'll always be on your side.