7 Issues: What To Look For When Buying an Old House

GeneralBuyers

Nov 2

Do you love older homes? Are you drawn to the aesthetics and charm they offer that you just can’t replicate in a newer home?

There’s so much to love about older houses with their unique characteristics and distinct history. But while an older home may offer an undeniable allure, it's important to weigh the benefits against the potential issues that could be lurking behind those vintage walls.

We know when you’re in the process of looking for a new home, you’ve got all kinds of factors you’re weighing. If finding an older home is at the top of your priority list, be sure to review these seven key considerations for what to look for when buying an old house before you put in an offer.

7 Problems to Be Wary of When You Buy an Old Home

1. Big Trees: Issues Above Ground

The giant trees gracing the yard of an older, established home can certainly add to the picturesque quality of the property, but unfortunately, they can also come with sizable maintenance needs. When you’ve got large trees on your property, it’s your responsibility to monitor and take care of branches hanging over into neighbors’ properties and branches that have the potential to get entangled with power lines. Additionally, you’ll want to protect your own home and ensure there aren’t any large branches extending over your roof because they can cause serious damage to your roof if the branches break. Large trees require regular maintenance, so make sure you’ve evaluated and accounted for this when you’re looking at an older home with big, beautiful trees.

2. Big Trees: Underground Concerns

The unseen, underground issues that big trees pose are arguably much more problematic than your typical above-ground maintenance issues. Why? The roots. The roots from large trees can reach much farther (and cause a lot more problems) than you might initially imagine. They can stealthily invade and disrupt the home’s foundation and sewer lines, causing plumbing havoc and leading to costly repairs.

If the property you’re considering has large trees, it’s worthwhile to bring in experts and conduct a thorough underground inspection to avoid any unwelcome surprises later. Don’t let the dream tree vibes keep you blind to the reality of what can be happening underground. Be wise and do your due diligence to consider any issues with extensive root systems before you buy the home.

3. Single-Pane Aluminum Windows

Single-pane windows aren’t typically recommended in modern home buildings for several reasons. They’re notorious for:

Being drafty
Being energy-inefficient
Failing to block out noise well

Lots of older homes have single-pane windows because there was a time when these were more standard. Notice the windows in the older home you’re considering buying. If the home has single-pane windows, you will likely want to plan ahead for their eventual upgrade to save yourself thousands in your energy costs and to keep your home the proper peaceful oasis you deserve.

4. Lead-Based Paint

This is a pretty well-known issue at large, but many people don’t realize the specifics about when lead exposure happens, and it is a high-priority issue to resolve. Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Over time, even if the paint has been covered with new layers, peeling can expose the harmful lead underneath. If you’re looking at a home built before ‘78, make sure you hire a lead-safe contractor to deal with any issues related to lead-based paint. The health risks, especially to children, are high, and you simply do not want to mess around with exposing yourself or your family to this hazardous material. If needed, talk to your real estate agent to help direct and advise you on when it might be appropriate to bring in experts to evaluate the potential of lead-based paint used in a home you’re looking at.

5. Outdated Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC

That vintage electric panel may look cool, but it’s not cool when any plumbing, electrical or HVAC system in your home craps out or creates a surprise disaster to deal with. The truth is that outdated systems in a home can be ticking time bombs. Whether it's plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, understand that these older systems might require an overhaul sooner than you think. It’s tempting to save your cash now and see how long they might last, but it’s no fun to deal with a home emergency. Whether you upgrade right away or decide to wait a bit, when you’ve got old systems in your home, you should always make sure to account for the expense of making the system upgrades or repairs before buying the home.

6. Structural Red Flags: Uneven Flooring and Wall Cracks

Older homes have a much higher potential for structural issues. When you walk through an older home, you want to look for (and have an expert’s opinion on) uneven flooring and wall cracks. These can be signs of foundation and structural damage that can be extremely costly to fix. More specifically, you want to be aware of any cracks in drywall, exterior stucco, or garage stemwall. Sometimes, these could only be cosmetic issues, but they could also indicate deeper structural problems. Thus, it’s often important to get an expert’s perspective. Be vigilant about these red flags because you might be dealing with critical concerns that could impact your decision to even buy the home or not.

7. Historic Regulations

Even if you love lots of the charm and distinct characteristics of an old home, you might also be excited about updating and renovating some of it. But before you bring out the sledgehammer for your DIY home makeover, be sure to take a minute and research any local historical preservation rules. Older homes, especially those in historic districts or neighborhoods, may come with restrictions on what you can alter. You do not want to be stuck in a situation where you preemptively demo-ed something that you then have to go back and restore.

There truly is something magical about the unique character and history of an older home. Yet, it’s crucial to approach your purchase with eyes wide open to potential challenges. If you’re a well-prepared buyer, you can then fully enjoy the benefits of your older home purchase – making it a blessing rather than a curse. So, go ahead and explore these old treasures; just do it wisely!

Always here to help.

Brent Edwards (aka Brent the Broker) is a residential real estate agent and Realtor in San Diego, CA who helps clients buy and sell homes in San Diego, California and all surrounding areas. Brent is a highly-recommended Realtor in San Diego by family, friends and past clients. Call Brent today at 619-550-8070 if you have any questions about real estate in San Diego or you'd like to buy or sell a home.