WHAT TO KNOW WHEN BUYING A HOME MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD

House hunting can be quite an exciting experience. When you’re looking to buy a home, whether it’s your first or your third, it often signifies the beginning of a new stage in your life.

One of the most significant factors in purchasing a home is its price. Yes, we all want a fantastic brand-new house in a good neighborhood with lots of space and potential. But often, these types of houses can come at a hefty price.

BUYING AN OLDER HOUSE MAY SAVE YOU MONEY

If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, consider buying an older house. They’re often more affordable than new houses. But of course, there are a few things to consider.
With age comes a bit of deterioration, EVEN if the house has been adequately main-tained. This doesn’t have to be a big problem as long as the cost of renovating and re-pairing the house isn’t too hard on your budget.

A HOME’S COMPONENTS AGE THROUGH USE AND TIME

It’s often forgotten that a home inspection is used to determine what issues are existing in a home on one particular day, but are not a prediction of when new “problems” may suddenly appear.

For instance, an inspection can not predict when a pinhole leak in a copper plumbing line may happen or when the garage door opener is going to fail. The only thing that is usually “aged” and given an approximate remaining lifespan on a home during the in-spection is the HVAC, water heater and an estimate given on the age of the roof.

Here are a few of the most common and overlooked items on older homes that will re-quire upkeep or replacement as the home ages:

WINDOWS

The average lifespan of residential windows is 15 to 30 years. Well-maintained prod-ucts may last beyond the 20-year mark, but even then, you may have a few that fail and need replacement sooner.

ELECTRICAL

With the advancement of technology in the past few decades, the electrical systems used in old homes might not accommodate your modern electrical needs. For exam-ple, if your home dates back to before the 1950s, it might have knob and tube wiring and fuses or if it’s from the 1960s, it may have aluminum wiring, both of which are a fire hazard and would need to be replaced. Even newer homes may have some issues that need to be corrected like not being grounded or having GFCI protection.

Having a licensed electrician inspect your entire electrical system and certify that it’s in good condition is a good idea—even after you purchase your home.

PLUMBING

Nothing lasts forever and that includes the plumbing in your home. Fortunately, the majority of pipe materials perform well for decades. However, even before that lifespan is reached, pipes may leak due to a cracked line, a loose connection or corrosion. Call a plumber for a thorough inspection if you have recurrent leaks or suddenly notice dis-colored water or a loss of water pressure.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Before signing that deal, remember that old houses will have repairs and maintenance that come with age. It’s best to have the house you’re eyeing inspected so you’ll know what to expect if you decide to buy it. After all, prevention is always better than cure.

For your property inspection needs, you can trust Ally Property Inspections. We are dedicated to doing thorough home inspections in Birmingham, AL, including old homes. Contact us today to get started!