There is a sense of history when buying an older home regardless if the house is thirty years old or one-hundred. Knowing that the house had one or more generations who lived their lives in it. Another allure is the retro style of older houses. Many people purchase older homes to renovate them and restore them to their original style. Renovating a home can be a rewarding experience that gives you a sense of accomplishment for years to come. There is, however, a downside to purchasing an older home. With that in mind here are things you should look for when buying an older home.
Lead Paint
If the home you are purchasing is forty years old, or older, it may have been painted with lead paint. There is about a fifty-fifty chance lead paint may have been used. It was banned for use in the United States in 1978, but the dangers of lead paint were known long before that, so it is possible the older home you are buying does not have any lead paint. The main issue with lead paint is lead poisoning, which can be highly detrimental to the health of people who come into contact with it. It would be wise to invest in a lead paint detection kit before buying a home built before 1980 to ensure it is lead paint-free.
If you find the home you want to purchase has lead paint you can ask the seller to pay for the cost of removing it by lowering their asking price by the dollar amount, it will take to remove the paint.
Termites
Termites are an issue with older houses and newer ones for that matter. Be sure to have an inspector familiar with termite damage examine the house before you purchase it to be sure there is no structural damage from termites.
Structural Issues
You may want to have the same inspector examine the home for cracked foundations and the house’s walls’ integrity. The older the home, the more likely the ground has shifted somewhat under the foundation or has had tree roots find their way into cracks and expand them. It can be very expensive to fix a foundation, so be sure you are willing to incur the costs of having repairs done before purchasing the house.
Old Wiring
The older the house, the less likely it can handle the voltage needed for a twenty-first-century home. Unless the previous owner upgraded the wiring and electrical box, you would need to upgrade the wiring for safety and function.
In Conclusion
Buying an old house can be difficult at times. Once it has been renovated or refurbished, you can take pride in a house that you restored.
Megan Dowdy Realty Can Help You to Find the Historic House You Want
At Megan Dowdy Realty, have the resources to find the ideal vintage home for you. If you want to buy an older house, get in touch with us right away. Please call us or fill out our online contact form. We are ready to help you!
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