We love old homes and all the charm and character they bring – the wood built-ins, pocket doors and exposed brick. But we also need to be aware of the issues we can run into when purchasing one. Not all problems are dealbreakers, but they are important to keep top of mind when considering living in an old house.
9 Problems with Old Houses
Age is subjective when it comes to houses, but an unwritten rule is that if a home is 50 years or older it’s considered “old” and a home built before 1920 is considered “antique.” There are many factors that can contribute to the condition your potential dream home may be in, and thankfully most can be caught during the home inspection phase of the buying process.
To help you do your due diligence before getting your heart set on a classic home, here are the most common problems to look for.
1. Foundation Issues
Foundation issues in old homes are very common and must be addressed in order to keep the home livable. They can range from smaller settlement cracks to damaged support footings, which can be extremely costly.