What to Look for When Buying an Old House

If you’re looking into purchasing your first home, chances are most of your searches have provided you with older homes for sale. Due to their affordable nature and classic design, older houses make great starter homes for those just setting out on their own. However, with age comes the increased possibility of damage and decay, making it crucial that you know what to look for when buying an old house. This will ensure you’re getting a good deal and that you know what to expect upon moving in.

Lead Paint

If the home you’re looking at was built during or before the late 1970s, there’s a high probability that its walls were painted with lead-based paints. Lead exposure from these homes can, unfortunately, cause a variety of health problems for all of those living within the space. So, before you buy, be sure that you know everything you need to know about lead paint and how to protect yourself from its harmful effects.

Foundation Problems

The longer a home sits on its original foundation, the more likely it is that there’s structural damage that you need to fix. Over the years, a home’s foundation experiences exposure to everything from the elements to ground shifting and eroding. As such, you might be signing up for a larger investment than you initially anticipated when buying a home like this.

Signs of Pests

Older homes also tend to attract a variety of insect and rodent species when left to sit for long periods. Without modern precautions, new homes have against these pests, old homes make the perfect shelter and feeding ground. Because of this, you must look for any signs there may be pests living in the home. Some signs of this might include seeing droppings or chew marks around entryways.

Mold and Water Damage

With aged and weakened defenses against the outside world, older homes are also more susceptible to flooding, mold, and water damage than many newer homes. As such, you need to be sure to look out for signs of a previous flood such as warped flooring or softened siding materials. These things can lead to potential danger and costly repairs when you go to resell.