You may want to buy an older home because of all of the architectural details, character, and the materials that were used during the building process. Older homes have many qualities that all of the newer homes will never have. When you purchase an older home, you will need to be aware of potential problems that can be quite costly to repair.
Here are 9 things that you need to know about buying an older home:
1. You will want to look at the layout of the house and see if it will fit your lifestyle. In older homes, there are many smaller rooms and it can be costly to renovate the rooms and make them larger.
2. It is important to have an older home inspected before you purchase it. You should always hire a reputable home inspector, so that no problems are ignored or missed. An older house should have a sound structure and a home inspector will notice if any of the wood is rotting. We will also be able to let you how up to date the heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems are.
3. We will be able to notice if there is any termite damage or if there are currently termites inside the house. Buyers can request that the seller remedy the situation before the contract is signed.
4. Scan the plumbing pipes inside and outside of the house to see if there are any visible plumbing leaks or blockages. It is always a good ideal to have a plumber run a camera down the drain lines to inspect for damage and blockage.
5. It is important to know if there is any asbestos inside the house as well as mold. We will take a look at all places that are easily accessible including crawlspaces, attics, and the like.
6. Many older homes have wells and septic systems and these should both be inspected to make sure that they are working properly. Both the well and septic are very expensive to replace and you will want to know if that is necessary before you purchase the house.
7. There can be title issues with older homes, so you may want to look into title insurance before purchasing an older home.
8. You will want to see if you can incorporate the costs of the necessary renovations and home improvements into the mortgage. Many lenders have programs to assist with the renovation of older homes.
9. Before purchasing an older home, you will want to check the bylaws and other codes to make sure that you are able to make major changes or add an addition onto the home.
Purchasing an older home can be a wise decision as long as you do your research beforehand. A home inspector and other professionals can assist you with making the right decision when it comes to signing on the dotted line. I inspect every home as if I were buying it for my own family. I wouldn’t want to see any new homeowner go into a home that I knew wasn’t safe or was going to cause problems. Give me a call at 480-570-5615 if you’re interested in a specific home and would like to see a home inspection report for that home before you take the next step.
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