Things to consider when buying an older home

Chatham-Kent home buyers love older homes. Older homes in Chatham-Kent have character, unique architectural features, and a sense of heritage. When buying an older home however, there are things you need to be aware of. Older homes may be unique, but they also present unique challenges, issues, and costs. Here are some points to discuss with your Chatham-Kent real estate agent and family before you place an offer on an older home. Remember, most of these issues have been fixed or can be fixed by you, but it's always better to know everything before you submit an offer.

Just how old is the house?

It might seem obvious, but knowing the exact construction date of a home can tell you a lot. During different decades, builders used various materials and techniques. Most home buyers in Chatham-Kent would like to know what kind of insulation they’ll find, or whether or not they can expect there to be asbestos in their home. You should be able to discover the home’s true age by asking to see deeds. As well, this is information your Chatham Ontario realtor should be able to locate without any stress to you.

What’s in the walls?

One of the biggest dangers and problems in old homes is electrical. In very old homes, it’s likely a few electrical jobs or even a complete re-wire were done. Ask your Chatham-Kent home inspector to pay special attention to any exposed wiring they can see, in order to know if the jobs were done up to code. Also, it’s very important to know whether or not the home uses knob and tooth wiring. Many Chatham-Kent home are wired using knob and tooth, which is one of the main causes of electrical fires in older homes. It’s also important to know if the fuse box in the home can manage the amount of usage in the home. Many home buyers add multiple newer appliances, without ever checking if their homes electrical system is up for the task.

Similarly, time may have left your plumbing in disrepair with cracked or damaged pipes, poor water flow, or an overflowing septic system.

Will the walls fall down?

Older homes were typically build on a strong foundation, but your Chatham-Kent realtor will advise you to pay special attention to cracks and other visible defects in the foundation. Over time, some older homes will show some cracks in the foundation from natural settling. A professional builder, engineer, or home inspector should be able to tell you whether these cracks are superficial or pose a structural danger to your home and family, or if they're purely skin deep. Any patch jobs you see to a foundation should also be examined. It’s possible the former owners made a cosmetic fix that did not effectively improve the structural stability, or potentially worsened it.

Does it feel cold in here?

As you walk through a home with your Chatham-Kent real estate agent, pay special attention to cold spots, drafts, and ventilation. Check if the windows have been updated, look to see if there is proper insulation in the attic, crawl spaces, and walls, and consider what these improvements may cost if they haven’t been done. Many people choose to keep as many original fixtures as possible for historical gain, but if your heating bill has a few extra digits, don’t act too surprised. Just as important as checking windows, doors, and insulation, be sure you examine what kind of heating has been installed. Is it floorboard heating, or have the owners upgraded to a furnace? Maybe the home is heated by oil or propane. Did they include central air? Knowing these answers will help you budget your heating and cooling expenses, as well as calculating any immediate repairs you might need to make after purchasing the home.

If you're looking for a reliable Chatham-Kent realtor to guide you through this process, I can help. Just visit my Contact Me Page or give me a call at 519-350-0141. Who knows, maybe my current Chatham-Kent real estate listings already include your dream heritage home.