You may be looking for a beautiful older property with history and character, or perhaps you already own one. Older and historic homes are great – and we truly love inspecting them. There is a lot to be said about the charm and character of an older home that is hard to find in newer homes.
But are you ready to own an older home? There are common issues with older homes that are worth looking out for. Finding these issues early might save you money and perhaps help you avoid a bad investment, because not every older home has been well taken care of.
Older homes, even when well-built, can develop electrical or wiring issues – which is one of the primary issues found on many inspections of older homes. Sometimes these issues can occur simply because the system used is outdated for modern power requirements. This can be dangerous and it’s important to check and replace as needed in order to make your home safe. A good example of this kind of issue is knob and tube wiring. This is an older style of wiring, and can lack some important safety features. More importantly, it can be unprofessionally joined with newer wiring in unseen areas and create safety issues.
Another thing to consider is that many older homes were built using older roofing methods and may have damage to shingles or flashing from wear and tear. If you are thinking of purchasing an older home, it’s worth looking at whether or not there is any structural damage to the property. Such damage, however minor, may impact whether or not a fixer-upper becomes a deal-breaker.
To be certain that your home or a home you are considering is a safe place and a good investment, a good home inspection can give you absolute certainty of the facts.