When looking for a home, a lot of house hunters are considering the idea of purchasing an older home.
There are many reasons to get a house with a lot of history. For example, older homes tend to have sturdier construction, handcrafted sections, as well as a classy old world charm.
However, there are also some factors that house purchasers should be wary of. These structures can come with their own set of problems that potential buyers should expect.
Here are the top items that many people fail to consider when buying an old house.
Floor plan and family living
What was thought to be necessary today is not the same decades ago. Unfortunately, this phrase applies to houses as well.
Old houses tend to have smaller spaces which are a bit of a problem if you have a large family.
For example, most older homes only have one bathroom. This won’t be a problem if you live alone or with a partner. But if you have kids, chances are you would not want to share one bathroom with them.
Similarly older homes tend to lack adequate storage and wardrobe space.
Cost of renovating and repairs
Since older homes possess a different architecture than modern ones, the inevitable renovating is going to cost more.
It is not just the amount of walls and other built-in features that need to be fixed up. Builders will have to go the custom route in order to replicate all those solid oak crafted doors, wide plank wooden floors, and other unique features.
Factor in these kinds of costs when buying an old house.
Older homes will lack modern conveniences
An older home can trump a modern one in terms of charm and appeal. However, modern houses will always be better when it comes to technology.
Do not expect plenty or powerpoints, ethernet wiring or even lots of bathrooms in an old-style house. Technology has changed the way we live so much. It is little wonder that many families find their older homes woefully inadequate for their more modern lifestyles.
Expect old homes to have ancient plumbing, unsafe electrical wiring, bad insulation, and antiquated windows.
Pest Control
Older homes are going to have a lot of wood and that will most likely attract termites.
While termites are going to be the number one concern of old house hunters, there are also a couple of unwanted guests that can infest your home.
Critters like birds, rodents, wasps, and ants can also be sharing your house and can do a number on the structural integrity of the house. Having someone inspect it for pests is a must.
Insurance
One major complaint when owning an old home is how an insurance company can charge an arm and a leg for you to get an older house insured.
An old house comes with more risks and insurance companies are well aware of that. There are a lot of issues in older homes like plumbing issues and unsafe electrical wiring that insurance companies are wary of. Expect to pay a much higher rate when obtaining insurance for your old home as opposed to a modern house.
Health risks associated with older homes
Asbestos is a material that was once thought to be a miracle product for construction. So it was widely used in buildings and residential houses from the 1800s until right around the early part of the 1960s. Unfortunately, as we now know, asbestos can cause serious respiratory ailments and fell out of favor around the 1980s.
The same goes with lead paint, which was widespread in its use until people discovered that it was highly toxic.
Asbestos got a complete ban in the 90s while lead was reduced to 0.1 percent in paint in 2004. Unfortunately, most old houses will still contain asbestos and lead paint in large quantities. It is a wise idea to inspect your home thoroughly for these materials.
Another thing to look out for is mould and mildew hiding in the walls and ceilings from all the moisture that leaks and bad drainage may have produced over the years. These can cause sickness and can trigger allergies.
Buying an old house can be absolutely fantastic, but you have to consider a lot more factors than when you go for a newer home.
If you are thinking of transforming an existing old style house in Sydney’s northern suburbs, feel free to give me a call.
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