You've bought a historic house, but it needs a little (or a lot) of work to turn it into a home. With thoughtful planning and research at the outset, you can ensure that the fix-it stage goes as smoothly as possible. This week’s round-up of toolkits brings you five things to consider as you look to restore or rehabilitate your new old house.

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[10 on Tuesday] 10 Tips for Finding Clues to Your Home’s History from PreservationNation

Before you begin to fix up your historic home, you’ll need to do a little research. Put on your detective cap and look closely at the house inside and out. Make note of changing styles, from floor plans to architecture to paint color. Get 10 ideas of what to look for.

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[10 on Tuesday] Restore vs. Rehabilitate: Which is Right for Your Historic House? from PreservationNation

Restoring a house means returning it to its original form using materials as similar as possible to the original ones. Rehabilitating means repairing the house and making it usable while preserving the historically and culturally significant portions. Find out which approach is right for you.

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[10 on Tuesday] Should You DIY or Hire a Professional? from PreservationNation

For DIYers, there are often many projects to keep you busy when you buy a historic house. For those who may not have the time, many professionals are available to help. No matter which camp you fall in, this toolkit offers a list of various people you can call.

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[10 on Tuesday] How to Plan Your Restoration or Rehabilitation Project from PreservationNation

Regardless of who’s doing the work, there are several important steps to consider when planning the restoration or rehabilitation of your historic home, from analyzing existing conditions to planning what parts of construction happen when. See all 10 steps.

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[10 on Tuesday] How to Keep a Renovation/Rehabilitation Project from Breaking the Bank from PreservationNation

Last but certainly not least, you’ll want to make sure you can afford all the projects you’re planning that will turn your historic house into a home. Before you begin sawing wood or hiring contractors, browse this list of 10 ways to make your dollars go farther.