This is our biggest problem. Before you buy, though, here are 10 questions you should ask. On the other hand, if the pipes have been well maintained they could be just fine. Cast iron plumbing needs to be scoped by a professional plumber and maintained. Our guest bathroom is original to the house, so when we renovate, we'll change out the cast iron pipes there. Use this information to negotiate cost or determine if the house is worth making an offer. On the other hand, this list can also help you find the right old home that's ready for you to fix it up! How to Build a DIY Bathroom Vanity From Scratch, How to Paint Garage Floors With 1-Part Epoxy Paint, How to Put Up Crown Molding Like a Novice, 10 Best “Must-Have” Home Necessities When You Move Into a House, Water Leak Detector: How to Ease Your Biggest Fear of Water Leaks, Read the other 20 surprising things I learned in carpentry class. That's why we chose to replace the windows and hire out our exterior painting. 101 Questions to Ask When Buying a Horse Horse shopping can be daunting, and weeding out the good from the bad is sometimes a difficult task. About the Author: The above Real Estate information on the problems to look for when buying an old house was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field.Bill can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 508-625-0191. If you see the cylinders but there is no wiring feeding through them, the house might be updated. They mean the home owner has addressed some issues. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned pro, buying a house is a big undertaking. You just need to know when you buy an old house that you'll have to give your windows more attention and loving care. We also know that we might have to change out the sewage pipe in our front yard if the ground shifts too much. So, please use this list as a starting point to become an educated buyer of an old home. Old homes often have foundation issues that needs to be addressed. Learn more, send a tip to tips@curbly.com, or sign up for our free weekly newsletter: 5 Ways To Wrap Gifts Using Office Supplies, Three Ways to Remove Paint from Door Hardware, How My Family Lives Without Cable & Stays Entertained, This is not a deal breaker in buying an old house. Is the roof sagging in areas? You cannot insulate your walls if you have knob and tube because it is a fire hazard (which also means your walls are not insulated.). What are the condition of your gutters? In the case of a house, there are hundreds of different issues such as having certain work done before buying, buying the furniture with the house, buying the house with the car, the list goes on and on. How to Install a Toilet Yourself – No Plumber Needed! This would be something you would want to know. Like I said above, the wiring of your home can be replaced without removing the walls but if you have original plaster (new wiring or not) you probably don't have (much/any) insulation in your walls. Most importantly it is good to see what is going on behind the walls of a home that has had the same walls for 100+ years. Best of all: all of these issues can be fixed. And to get all 30 questions, enter your name below to download the first time home buying checklist. Most insurance companies won't insure a home with knob and tube because of the fire hazard. You might even see some cracking around windows and doors due to settling issues. There are plenty of people who have thoughtfully restored or updated their old homes with character alongside modern conveniences. In fact, we have beautiful pocket doors between our living room and dining room that we cannot open  because so much plaster has fallen behind the tracks through the years. We took on all these renovations first and foremost because we love the work and have experience doing it. Below I’ve compiled a list of the top 15 questions that you should be asking your potential contractors before you go in and hire them for your next home project. The first thing you want to look for is significant vertical cracks. Ask the seller for any documentation they have for foundation repairs that have been done. Here is a picture before we replaced the knob and tube. If you want even more questions answered, check out our free Home Buyer’s Guide . The cost depends on the size of the house. Now you know the top questions to ask when buying a house. Knob and tube is the standard wiring found the houses built in 1880-1930s. You can cut holes for blown-in insulation, but it's hard to reliably know how much of the wall is insulated. That woodwork was painted over in the late 1980s, so it didn't have lead paint. You might be gung ho about diving into fully restoring an old house, but first you need to see if others in neighborhood have also been motivated to do so. If house price mania had a World Cup, Britain would lift the trophy. In our experience renovating old homes, the fixes for the problem of vertical cracks are much more expensive than fixing the problems causing horizontal cracks. How old is the roof? The cost depends on the size of the house. We have spread the expense out over time by replacing windows as we renovate rooms. Our home was originally was built with dark dark ebony-stained wood trim and doors. If you're looking at that type of house, use this list to make sure the improvements were done well. We have sold a couple of houses with documented foundation work that was done. You also need to understand that hanging pictures and maintaining the walls are a little different than when working with drywall. Renovation burnout is normal and natural, even for people who do it everyday. Questions to ask when viewing a house for sale. Here is closer view of what asbestos insulation looks like. Investment of good window treatments to help insulate old drafty windows. Let’s take a step back from decorating and DIY projects for a second….and let’s talk the questions you must ask before buying a house. Before you go look for an old house you need to know it's a "thing" with old houses and that (in my opinion) it is a "must do" in your renovation. It's a passion of ours, yet there are some days even I get overwhelmed. Home buyers often compare prices of similar homes in the neighborhood before choosing a price, but the asking price may have very little to do with the actual value of the home or the price a buyer should offer.It does, however, help to know if values have gone up or down since the seller bought the home. Questions to ask when viewing a house or flat. Buying a house is a big decision. This is something you should specifically ask the inspector about during your home inspection. I hope this list helps you find the right old home for you! Once the new homeowner moves into the old house and tries to get home insurance the insurance company will ask you to abide by the new standards. It helps you make a smart home purchase by answering all your questions as you walk through every step of the home-buying process. The cost of a structural engineer to get the right plan to fix the problem. What is the condition of your roof? If you see them don't be alarmed, it's actually a good thing. What's the condition of the roof? Lathe and plaster were used in homes to finish walls until the late 1950s when drywall began to be the standard material. We will soon be grading out our yard to help water slope away from our house. This Old House has a great article about great old neighborhoods across the country. Installing duct work for central air is a costly, but in my opinion, it helps an old house make it another 100 years and will add value to your home. On another note, if you do the repairs make sure you take pictures and get documentation before you button up the wall. So be sure to read PART 1 of questions to ask when buying a house. You will probably need to find out what is putting pressure on your walls to make them crack and eventually cave in. Can you guess from the picture above why? Before you buy that house, ask these questions recommended by experts. If you have this wiring, it is (at minimum) 80 years old so the possibility of poor connections is high. No matter how much you may want it to be true, it probably isn’t without a catch. While this is something that a home inspector will certainly check, it’s definitely one of the main questions to ask when buying a house before you make an offer on the property. People who ask me a ton of questions are savvy and feel completely confident they’ve made the right choice when they hire my company: if you’re not sure how to vet your potential contractors, take a leaf out of their book. Most houses are not as bad as my house was but we knew immediately these large overgrown bushes were not protecting the inside of our house and foundation. And if you’re ready to put in an offer — get a full survey and look forward to battles with solicitors and agents, all of which takes longer than 33 minutes. If they're in good condition they can efficiently and safely heat a home. It's important to have your inspector check for cast iron piping and report on its condition. It’s easy to fall so in love with a property that you lose sight of the more practical considerations: does it have a termite infestation? Trees and landscaping problems can be the root cause. Sometimes electricians don't remove all the porcelain cylinders when updating the wiring. A typical asphalt shingle roof lasts 15 to 20 years. Horizontal cracks often mean that something is pushing against your foundation walls to make them cave in. We were able to have new windows made to fit the exact same profile of the originals. Be sure to download my FREE home buying workbook in my How to Buy a House in 12 Weeks post. If you see signs of moisture, or mold: run. In this third edition of 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask, Glink presents new stories of real people who have gone through the home-buying process for the first time and once again offers her trademark friendly advice on how to avoid common home-buyer mistakes. It's best to choose an old house in a neighborhood that's trending toward revival or is established and has a good mixture of renovated and nice (yet not renovated) homes. Call your insurance company to find out their policy. Adding more outlets: When you completely upgrade your entire home's electrical system you might have the added cost of adding more outlets due to the electrical codes in your area. Here is why we will remove every bit of plaster from our old home: In other words, is your landscaping  sloped and graded away from your house in away that directs water away from the house. Real Estate, House Buying, How To, Diy, Decor, Architecture, Finance, Money, Traditional, Vintage, Mid Century Modern, Home, House. First, simply understand the materials and elements of your exterior including the roof, even if it has been restored. Before you go look for an old house you need to know it's a "thing" with old houses and that (in my opinion) it is a "must do" in your renovation. Why is it unfinished? Old homes were built to last, the materials are usually higher quality, and the handmade details just can't be found in new developer builds. It's fun and hard but we know our limitations and know what we like to do and what we don't. After reading through this list you might think "I can never own an old home" ... that's not true! Yes, that's my son helping his dad measure the distance between the cracks to fill with epoxy for water tightness. Educated yourself about the cost and frequency to maintain its integrity. My husband and I have more than ten years of professional and personal experience in renovating old homes. Has the home just been repainted to cover water or fire damage; Do the floors need to be refinished? Buying a home can be a daunting experience and knowing the right questions to ask can be confusing. Also, check out the entire 30 questions you must ask before buying a house No property will be perfect on all fronts, but getting answers to the questions below - either by checking for yourself or asking the estate agent - should help you feel more confident about whether you want to put in an offer. This way we can install them ourselves save even more money. Look for updates or fixes that have been done. This is not a deal breaker in buying an old house. This was a cost we knew about before purchasing the home, and the home owner set the price knowing the windows needed help. 1. Your email address will not be published. Removing these issues is not a hard fix. 10 Essential Questions to Ask When Buying a Home (That You May Have Missed) By Lisa Johnson Mandell | Aug 3, 2016 You've finally found it: a home you're swooning over and dying to own. the entire 30 questions you must ask before buying a house. The exception is if at some point in time the homeowner drilled holes in the walls and blew in insulation. Than being said, I don't suggest fully renovating an old home until you have lived in and understood what's its like to make updates a newer home. So I wanted to write a follow-up with even more questions you must ask before you buy a house! Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 30+ Years. Ask questions, and the inspector should have a handy gadget he can use to test for the M word. Old windows have serious charm and character but they are very drafty, not mention being worn down and broken from 60-100+ years of use. If you're looking to buy a home that you will occupy and one day sell, then it's important to know whether the neighborhood will support a renovation. So, you’ve just found the pot of gold. Drywall or plaster repair: You don't have to gut everything to rewire house but the electricians will poke holes in every wall so you will need to have drywall installer come and repair plaster or install drywall over the wall. Does the brick need tuck pointing? Many old homes still are heated by radiators. You might live in an area where opening your window is the only air conditioning you'll ever need. Brad Porteus. This can affect the efficiency of the insulation in the wall. It's always good to put your eyes on the exterior finishes of your house. Just because you see some modern outlets doesn't mean it has all been updated. View in gallery Has the house ever had a burst pipe, flood or other water damage? The foundation walls are the most telling sign of what is going on in the old home foundation. I only wish I had read it before buying my 120 year old house that has 2 other 120 year old houses on the property ? 2. The largest vertical crack is seen in the before picture above. YIKES! When you are buying an old home, be sure to ask good questions about the basement foundation. If severe, the cost of new footings  to be placed underneath your home to keep it from sinking further. We hired a structural engineer to give us a plan and they dug into our basement foundation and installed 7 piers under the poured foundation. In old neighborhoods across the country fixes that have been well maintained they could be just fine up at. 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