There’s an undeniable allure and appeal to owning an older home. They have that antique charm that modern homes can’t replicate. They’re infused with deep, rich history and their aesthetics are unrivaled. So what’s the problem? Older homes often come with a ton of caveats. Some problems are visible, but many are hidden. Take a look at the types of problems common in old homes and the cost it takes to fix them before diving into your next historic home purchase.
Checking the foundation of the home is a great place to start your inspection of a property. Sometimes a bad foundation is obvious, like a home having noticeably-slanted floors. However, windows and doors that stick and walls with cracks can be tell-tale signs of a bad foundation. Make sure you get your old home’s foundation checked. This can sometimes be a quick $1,000 fix, but other times it can be far more costly – or impossible to fix.
A leaking roof is also another serious issue. Sometimes a leaking roof is easy to spot if the ceiling has water spots. However, those can also appear due to leaking pipes or windows. Check under the roof to see if daylight is peeking through anywhere or if there are signs of moisture in the insulation. A leaking roof can destroy a house over time so it’s important to get anything replaced. This could be very costly depending on how much work needs to be done. You’ll also need to check the water drainage and perhaps install other waterproofing systems. This all adds up fast.
The home could also suffer from other aesthetic problems due to its age. Popcorn ceilings? Removing that in one small room could cost you $2,000 – and that’s if it doesn’t have asbestos in it. And what about old-fashioned rooms that have a decidedly out-dated layout? Old kitchens are notorious for having poor layouts. Fixing this could either be extremely expensive or extremely complicated. Likely it will be both!
Moving into an old home is tempting, but there’s a reason new homes look the way that they do. They feature many new features that solve all of the aforementioned problems. As long as you know the risks ahead of time then you should be fine! Be smart and you’ll be happy with your old home.
Read the full article here: The Hidden Problems in Old Houses