Things To Look Out For When Buying an Older Home

When you’re looking to buy a property, there are numerous factors you need to pay attention to. One important point is the age of a property. While it might be true that older homes can be troublesome, newer homes can have problems too. The state of the house also depends on where it is located, how good its construction was and how it was taken care of by the previous owner. Age alone is not an ideal indicator of its condition. But at the same time, you should be on the lookout for certain factors when browsing for your home depending on when it was built.

70 to 100 Years Old

• Electrical Wiring: 

For houses that are close to being a hundred years old, the electrical wiring in those buildings is usually old-fashioned knob-and-tube wiring that is not very safe. Plus, electrical panels in such homes cannot handle more than 60 amps of power when the requirement today is usually around 200 amps. It is quite likely that the wiring has been replaced already, but just in case it hasn’t, it definitely needs to be a priority on your list.

• Foundation and Exterior: 

In case the home's floors are uneven due to sinking, cracking, or leaning foundation, further inspection is recommended.

• Plumbing:  

An old house may have cast-iron pipes, which are susceptible to corrosion and do break down with time. Or it may have lead pipes which are a definite safety hazard and would need to be replaced. 

• Radon: 

The trouble with Radon is that it is a colorless and odorless gas that is also toxic enough for it to lead to lung cancer over time. In Indiana, radon gas concentrations can be high, so all homes - especially older ones - should be tested for radon gas. Many older homes were not even inspected for radon gas, much less had mitigation systems installed.

• Lead Paint: 

Lead paint is pretty likely to be present in a home built before 1978. Lead inspectors (or home tests kits) can tell you for sure, but it's important to know, especially if you're renovating the house or the paint is peeling. You should hire a contractor who is certified to remove lead paint.

40 to 60 Years Old

• Asbestos: 

A fire-retardant, inexpensive material used extensively in a variety of building materials during the 1940s and 1970s was asbestos. Whenever any asbestos-containing building material is in poor condition and its fibers are exposed, they can easily be inhaled and lead to lung cancer. In good condition though, it does not pose any health risks. But still, it's best to get these removed from the house. Asbestos-containing building materials should only be removed by people who are licensed to do so. 

• Wiring: 

Electrical systems installed in the 1970s and 1980s are usually fairly modern, even compared with modern standards. Rather than using fuses or grounded receptacles, they use circuit breakers. However, in the 1970s, there was a global shortage of copper, so many builders use aluminum, which was easy to get and also inexpensive. Yet receptacles and light switches were still frequently made from copper or another metal that reacted with aluminum. That may cause the wiring to overheat, which can lead to a fire.

During this time, electrical panels were standard at 100 amps, which may be adequate for some homes. Most modern homes, however, require up to 200 amps of electricity, so the electrical panel may need to be upgraded.

• Plumbing: 

Copper pipes were commonly installed during this period, and they should still be in good condition. Although that may be the case, angled stop valves behind toilets and under sinks may need to be replaced if you want everything to remain in great condition.

20 to 30 Years Old

• Big Replacements: 

The homes built during this period may just be nearing the end of their first wave of major replacements. HVAC systems typically last around 20 years, and roofs can last between 25 and 30 years. You may need to invest in some expensive replacements (but not always) if you haven't yet replaced those big-ticket items.

• Plumbing: 

Polybutylene piping is the biggest problem in homes around this age. Due to frequent bursts of pipes made of this material, it was discontinued in 1996. In order to avoid catastrophic flooding, you'll need to replace this type of plumbing as soon as possible.

Wrapping up

With this post, you should now have a good idea of the things that you need to be looking for when buying a home 70 -100, 40 - 60, or 20 - 30 years old. The bottom line here is that you shouldn’t be discouraged by a property’s age. A house built in the 70s can sometimes have fewer problems than a newly built one (or vice-versa) if it’s been taken care of nicely. If you’re ready to look for your dream home, you can reach out to Tempest Homes. With our expert builders, you can find a move-in-ready new home, large home sites, or new custom-built homes. The best Lafayette, Indiana rental homes are also provided by us. Our team will help you with the whole process, from design to building to financing. Contact us at (765) 742-0300 or visit our website for more information!