What exactly is there in the old homes that attract home buyers? Their craftsmanship, old charm, and their character. Sometimes it’s the historical significance of the place that makes them look more appealing. If you are planning to buy a house, you are definitely making a huge investment. And if it’s a 100-year-old home, you need to take many things into consideration before signing the final deal.
There is nothing wrong with buying an old home. But a rational buyer always evaluates the scenarios and conditions before making a decision. Not to mention that you will incur some repair costs, but if you don’t pay attention, you might end up spending a lot more than you have actually thought.
So, what are the six most important things you need to consider before buying a 100-year-old home? Keep reading to fetch yourself all the answers.
Get the home inspected for paint
It is common for people who buy an old home to replace the lead paint with safer alternatives. Lead paint was commonly used in homes and was acceptable in the past. However, with time, it was proved that lead paint is toxic. Especially if you have children at your home, you really need to check on this aspect.
You might be surprised to know that nowadays, it is illegal to have lead paint in your home. It is the duty of your seller to let you know whether the home he is selling has any presence of lead paint in it. But sometimes, sellers keep you in the dark. Thus, it is important to ensure that the home you are buying is safe.
If you don’t want to be stuck in the hassle of replacing the paint, find a home where the lead paint has already been replaced. All in all, get the home inspected for paint before signing the agreement on buying a home.
Inspection of hazardous materials
Besides lead, another hazardous material is asbestos. Both these materials are banned from being used in homes. However, there are chances that these materials could still be present in older homes. So, check for asbestos insulation in the crawl spaces, walls, and pipes.
Will it get expensive for you?
You cannot deny that old homes are certainly sturdy. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have lasted for this long. But don’t forget to check for potential problems in them. Analyze whether buying an old home will get expensive for you or it will be under your budget, and then make the decision.
Electrical issues
There is no denying the fact that electrical issues could be there if you are buying a 100-year-old house. Some of them are – safety hazards, lack of outlets, or exposed wiring. Ungrounded outlets are found in many older homes. You can even detect them yourself. How? By looking at the number of holes. Let us tell you that there are three prongs in the grounded outlets to form a little triangle. And if you are unable to find these three prongs, be prepared to spend a huge amount of money on updating or repairing the electrical system.
Check the condition of electrical service panels and circuit breakers and get them repaired if needed. You can also consider taking the assistance of a licensed electrician to get a seamless electrical system on your property.
Structural considerations
You can witness structural damage in the home just by having a look at it. But some forms of structural damage are not visible to the naked eye. You cannot get away from checking the foundation and sills of the home. The old sills in the home can result in water damage, and you could end up spending a lot of money on the repairs. Moreover, a damaged foundation of the home can lead to its collapse if not repaired quickly. Therefore, look for structural considerations before buying the home.
Inefficient windows
Windows are also an important concern if you are buying an old home. The windows in old homes are most likely to be inefficient, which means poor home insulation. So, how to check the inefficiency of the windows? –
- Air leaks – One of the simplest ways to check the inefficiency is to light a match or incense stick and hold it for a few minutes close to the window frame. The trail of the smoke will give you an idea if there is any draft coming through the frame.
- Moisture and mold – If the house is witnessing mold and moisture even after keeping the windows closed, it indicates that cold air is entering the house.
- Sealant – If the sealant around the windows is cracking, get ready to spend some money on repairing the windows.
To make a long story short.
Buying any old home is a matter of personal choice for every individual. Before arriving at any decision, research thoroughly and do not buy the home in a hurry. Because you want your home to be filled with love and hope, as it is said –
“Home is the starting place of love, hope, and dreams.”
