Buying a home is generally a decision that needs to be made carefully because a house is one of the biggest investments that most people make in their lifetime. Buying an old home needs even more thought since there are a number of things that you need to look out for. If you fail to make the right call, you could end up with a lot more expenses than warranted. If you find an old home that you feel would be perfect with a few tweaks and improvements, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get it if it has an attractive price to boot. That said, think about the 10 things outlined below when buying an old home so that you can be sure you made a worthwhile investment.
1. Lighting and Ventilation
When buying an old home, remember that the lighting and ventilation of a house are two key things that drive most people to work on a home remodel. This means that you should inspect the windows and see if they’re in a good state and if you like their general design. Make sure to add the cost of window replacement to the cost of the house and think about whether you’re still getting a good price. Find out the cost of something like egress window installation if you feel like these would be the perfect windows for the house so that you’re ready for any window-related expenses.
Keep in mind that you may not need to change the windows if they’re still in good shape. If they’re the right size and need just a few updates to give them new life, then this is one less thing that you have to deal with. Broken panes and minor gaps and cracks shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, as opposed to warped and rusted window frames that don’t open and shut properly.
2. Structural Soundness
Another important thing to look into when buying an old home is the structural soundness of the house you invest in. Structural issues can be a pain to deal with, and they’re bound to cost you a lot of time and money. In fact, if the structure is too damaged to repair within a reasonable budget, you may end up having to get demolition services. This may be a welcome first option for you if the cost is worth the neighborhood and space that you’re getting, but it’s important to go into it with a proper understanding of the implications.
The greatest indicator that you may have to demolish the house and construct it afresh is if the foundation is damaged. A house practically sits on the foundation, so there’s no way around a foundation that’s severely deteriorated. Avoid surprises by getting a thorough inspection of the foundation done by a professional so that if anything is wrong, you know beforehand. As a result, you can be sure that you’re putting your money in the right place.
3. Hazardous Materials
Something else that you must be careful about when buying an old home is whether there are any hazardous materials in the home. These include lead paint and asbestos, which are the two most common hazardous materials that can be found in the typical old house. These were used a lot in older constructions, so there may be remnants in the old house that you want to buy. If there are any, you should think about the cost of getting them thoroughly removed while also making sure that the investment warrants this project.
You should also look out for mold, which, while it can be handled by getting drywall replacements, may be better dealt with by getting rid of the root cause of the issue. This means that you need to have the area where you find mold to see if there’s a structural issue such as a crack or other gaps that allow humidity to access the space. If you can’t deal with such matters thoroughly, you’re doomed to struggle with mold and other issues for as long as you live in the house.
4. Kitchen Safety
Remember that the kitchen is a popular space in a home, and it’s one that sees a lot of traffic throughout the day. With this in mind, don’t neglect to inspect the kitchen thoroughly when you’re buying an old home. If it’s the right size and layout, look at the materials to see if they’re okay or whether you’ll have to replace them before you settle down. In this case, the floor is the most important element because it covers the biggest area. If it’s old and worn out, this is a potential tripping hazard that you’ll have to replace if you buy the house.
Other places to think about in the kitchen are the sink and counters, which are prone to aging rapidly from a lot of use. In this case, you may have to get a granite counter to replace a weathered counter that’s made out of a less durable material. By working on these details, you can get an amazing kitchen in the end. Just make sure that you don’t have to do a complete overhaul to make the space more usable for you.
5. Roof Stability
The roof can’t be left out of the considerations that you need to make when buying an old home. It’s one of the largest continuous elements of a house and has a major implication on the general state of the house. It’s also an expensive repair to do when it’s necessary, and also one that you can’t ignore if it’s damaged. That said, call a local roofing company and have them inspect the roof of the house before you buy it so that you can take the necessary measures to either repair or replace it.
In the event that you love the house and wouldn’t mind replacing the roof, ensure that you invest in a good quality roof. Look for one that’s durable, fireproof, and that will withstand the weather in the area where the home is. A great example of a good roof to get is a metal roof, since this material is energy-efficient, fully recyclable, and can last for a long time with minimal maintenance if it’s installed correctly.
6. Curb Appeal
Don’t forget to make consideration of the curb appeal when buying an old home. The last thing that you’d want is to move into a house that looks beaten down and in need of drastic remediation. That said, think about what the house looks like in its current state, and consider the alterations that it would need to look like your dream home. If it’s not a lot, and the other details are okay, then the house may be a worthwhile investment.
Some of the aspects to think about in terms of curb appeal are the siding, which should be possible to improve with cleaning and a coat of paint as well as minor repairs. The driveway is another detail to consider in terms of whether it has significant damage that would call for an entire replacement. Given that the landscape frames the house and will affect the overall appearance of your home, add it to the items that you inspect. If you can make it look good with the help of a professional, think about the changes you’d like implemented to it so that you can get the perfect curb appeal.
7. Waste Management
Remember that you’re going to generate waste in your new home and think about waste management as well when buying a new home. Find out if there’s room to place a dumpster if you need to get a dumpster rental either for a remodel or another project in the home. This can make things a lot easier for you in the end, so it’s a plus if it’s possible to set one up and move it around if you need to. That said, it may not be a major requirement for you, depending on your lifestyle and the activities that you’ll do in your new home.
Something that’s a major requirement, however, is the condition of the septic system if the house is hooked to one. This is one of the best waste management systems that a home could have, but it could be a costly one if it’s damaged and in need of major repairs. Call a professional to inspect the system and ensure that nothing is out of place, and how much fixing it will take to get it back into good shape. Learn about the details of septic pumping in the area to be sure that you can get the services when you need them. If you’re happy with everything in this case, then you may not have a lot to deal with if you buy the house.
8. Plumbing and Drainage
You need to find a plumbing contractor when buying an old home so that they inspect the plumbing. Keep in mind that plumbing needs regular care and maintenance in order to stay in good shape. If this isn’t done, the system is prone to damage that will cause leaks, obstruct the water supply, and even expose you to contaminated water. Check to find out whether you’ll need to make massive improvements to the plumbing so that you can modernize it and ensure that it’s safe. This may involve replacing pipes and other major plumbing elements.
The home’s drainage should also be functional and not have clogs and other issues that could leave you with a flooded compound. This means that it’s important to check the drains as well so that you know whether you need to enlist the services of a drain cleaner. Clogged drains may worsen with usage, so you should still consider getting them cleaned even if there are only minor inconveniences such as a drain or two moving water slowly.
9. Safety and Security
Safety is another key element of the perfect home, so do your best to make sure that the house you intend to buy is safe. That said, you can make improvements to bolster security, such as replacing locking mechanisms that have seen better days. When buying an old home, remember that you need to check for possible points of weakness, such as darkness around the house and trees that grow too close to the doors and windows.
If the home has a garage, this is a plus because you won’t have to hire garage builders to construct you a new one. That being the case, remember that the garage is an additional entrance into your house, and you need to be sure that it’s safe. If the garage door doesn’t work well in terms of its closing mechanism, you’ll need to prioritize replacing it. This will be one of the important improvements that you make to the house if you buy it, so make sure that your budget can accommodate it before you commit to buying the house.
10. Appliance Age
The final consideration that you should make when buying an old home is checking the ages of the appliances in the house. The more of them that are aged and in need of replacement, the higher the cost of the house will be for you. In this case, consider major appliances like the HVAC, which is a must-have in the average home. If the current system is either old or damaged, you’ll need to replace it before you move in to ensure that you’ll be comfortable from the first day. While looking into this, you may also want to look for an air duct cleaning company to rid the home’s ducts of accumulated dust and other particles.
By making these 10 considerations before buying an old home, you can improve your chances of getting a home that you’ll be happy with. With a few modifications to improve the appeal and function of the home, you can enjoy your investment a lot. Take time to make sure that you make the right decision so that you don’t have any regrets once you buy the house, and it becomes one of the best decisions that you made in terms of investing your money.
