The Revitalist

Are you handy with a hammer and want to live in a historic house rent free? Several states are running live-in curatorship programs. The live-in curators often don't pay rent or taxes, but in return they take on responsibility for restoring the property. Here the Massachusetts Historic Curatorship Program is run through the Department of Conservation and Recreation as almost all of the properties are located in state parks or forests. There are several currently available, if you're into this idea. It seems like a win-win situation. The states gets these historic structures preserved, restored and brought back to life without expending the cash, and the people who choose to be Curator/Tenants seem to be passionate about the work and enjoy what they are doing (even if they don't get to reap the financial rewards of their sweat equity).