7 Things to Consider When Buying an Older Home

Almost everyone knows that there are many benefits to purchasing an older home. Other than purchasing a piece of history, homes of today don’t quite offer the same charm and character as those built long ago. Before you put in your offer on an older home, keep these 7 things in mind when you are doing your research.

Check the electrical system

With everyone owning so many appliances today, make sure the electrical panel and wiring have been upgraded. Everything from the electrical outlets to the circuit breakers should be current and up to code. That being said, keeping up with ever-changing electrical codes can seem daunting for homeowners. Consequently, you might want to consider scheduling a consultation with an electrician to assess the property for electrical code compliance and to find out how it can be brought up-to-date. You can learn more about electrical code compliance issues here: hometeamelectric.com/services/code-compliance/.

Check the HVAC

Not all older homes will have both heat and air conditioning, but all will have heat of course in the northeast. Be sure to inspect the furnace and see if it is newer and has been properly serviced. Anything older may be less efficient and lead to higher energy bills. If it is a particularly old system, you may want to replace it with something a bit more modern like a ductless system (ineedtheplumber.com/ductless/). This will save you money in the long run.

Inspect the roof

Find out what the age of the roof is. Roofs will usually have a life expectancy of 10-20 years depending on things like materials used and exposure to the elements. Ask if there have been any repairs made or it there are any problem areas to know about.

Check the foundation

Inspect the foundation for any cracks or low, sunken areas. Find out if there have been any incidents of water leaks or seepage. Your home inspection will be very valuable with further investigating this assessment.

Inspect plumbing

Learn what materials were used for the plumbing. Sometimes you can make an educated guess based on when the home was built, but if there have been any upgrades find out from the previous owner what was done and what material was used. In most circumstances, the majority of the plumbing may need to be replaced, to guarantee that everything works as it should when it’s ready to be moved into. Professional companies, like Steve’s Plumbing, (callstevesplumbing.com/plumber-kirkland-wa/) will be able to help you decipher what needs replacing or repairing so that you have access to only the best appliances, which is very important when you’re buying a house.

Lead paint

All sellers will provide a notification form of what they know about for the home’s lead status. You can also take this into your own hands and add a lead paint test as part of your home inspection. Knowing where it stands can potentially be an asset.

Plan on upgrades

Regardless of how old the home is, there will always be something that will need to be repaired or upgraded. Having a clear understanding up front before buying the home will help you budget and plan for the future.