Problems To Look For When Buying an Old House

Problems To Look For When Buying an Old House

 

If you are looking to bring an old home into the modern-day, there are some things to know; here are problems to look for when buying an old house.

 

Old homes are from a different generation, and as such, they have the standards and materials of an older time. They are also subject to the wear and tear that takes decades to create. This doesn’t mean you have to tear it down and start anew. After all, old homes contain so much history and character; they are a relic of their time. Whether you are looking to flip it or make it your forever home, here are some problems to look for when buying an old house.

Foundation

This is especially important to keep in mind as you look for houses in Arizona. Although not as common as in neighboring areas like California, Utah, and Nevada, nearly hundreds of earthquakes happen throughout the year in Arizona. While these earthquakes mostly go unfelt, they can still cause structural damage to any house regardless of age. As you search for older homes, take extra care to look out for any foundational issues since structural problems might be more prevalent given the commonality of earthquakes in the area.

Electric

You will likely have to make a couple of electrical renovations in your old home, and the most important among those is whole-house electrical re-wiring. Older houses have older electrical wiring; they are unsafe, worn out, and not up-to-date. What’s more, the house’s wiring is likely unable to meet the demands of our current technology and electrical requirements. Old wiring is also a serious hazard as it can increase the risk of fires, blown fuses, broken devices, and more.

Harmful Materials

This is one of the most important problems to look for when buying an old house. If you look into any home built before or around 1978, it may have hazardous materials. For example, the house might still contain lead paint, commonly used for interior and exterior purposes. This harmful material can seep into the surrounding areas and cause damaging health effects.