Getting A Property Listed
One procedure is used to nominate properties to both registers at the same time. Generally, the nomination process requires two steps:

First, the submission of a preliminary " Questionnaire" that provides basic information about the property to determine if the property appears to be significant. Second, the submission of a "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form" that is completed according to state and federal standards. Any person or organization may nominate properties to the registers, but because it is a complex process, private consultants are often employed. The owner of the property is informed of the nomination.

Benefits to Owning Listed Properties
The principal benefit is the knowledge that you are helping to preserve your local, state and national heritage. To assist you, the state and federal governments provide a number of more tangible benefits: eligibility for state and federal income tax credits for rehabilitating historic properties; eligibility for federal grants, when available; consideration in the planning of federally assisted and state assisted projects, as well as projects of local governments and school boards, when those projects affect the property; eligibility to use the state's Historic Building Code, which may facilitate rehabilitation; qualification for state and federal charitable income tax deductions for the donation of historic preservation easements; and eligibility for official State Register of Historic Places plaques.

Disadvantages and Restrictions on Owning Listed Properties
Listing a property in the registers does not impose restrictions on the private property owner. The private owner is free to sell, alter or demolish the property. Of course, if the property owner is utilizing any public federal or state funding or assistance, the proposed projects are reviewed to ensure that historic values of the property are taken into consideration.