Shelly Ragan - NextHome Signature Real Estate

The Ragan Team • Call (402) 672-5522

  • Home
  • About
    • About The Ragan Team
    • Privacy Policy
  • Home Search
  • Resources
    • Buyers
    • Sellers
    • What’s Your Home Worth?
  • Visit Main Website
  • Blog
  • Contact

Buying an Older Home? Watch Out for These 3 Key Flaws That Could Spell Trouble

October 12, 2017 by Shelly Ragan

Buying an Older Home? Watch Out for These 3 Key Flaws That Could Spell TroubleAre you a fan of homes with a bit more character than newer, modern designs? Whether in pristine condition or more of a “fixer upper,” older homes are incredibly popular in cities across the country. However, there are some key factors to consider if you’re thinking about buying a home built decades ago before modern standards were enforced.

Let’s take a look at three key design issues that you will need to be aware of if you’re thinking about buying an older house.

Old Electrical Designs Can Be A Significant Fire Hazard

No matter when a home was built, it’s almost guaranteed to have electrical wiring running through walls to supply rooms with lighting and power outlets. However, if the wiring was run in decades past it may be with older cords that are less able to withstand a modern workload. A quick check of the circuit-breaker panel or fuse box and the wires leading from it can give an idea just how old the wiring is. As older designs can be a fire hazard, you will want to ensure the wiring is up to date.

Poor Plumbing Design Can Lead To Rot Or Worse

Plumbing can also be an issue in older houses – especially those in states that experience a cold winter. Water pipes tend to expand and contract due to temperature, which can lead to stress and leaks over time. Moreover, even though older pipes are typically made of metal, they can still wear out. The last thing you need is to wake up to a flooded basement, so be sure to have the plumbing professionally inspected.

Is The Roof And Insulation Strong Enough?

While the roof might look solid from the outside, it may not be as well put together on the inside. Even the smallest of holes or leaks in roof membrane can wreak havoc on the structural integrity of the roof. It’s worth spending some time in the attic to inspect the inside of the roof, the condition of the insulation and how well the entire structure is holding up.

While the above list might sound a bit scary, it isn’t meant to turn you away from buying an older character home. If you’re diligent in checking out the home’s history and invest in a professional inspection, you’ll stay safe. When you’re ready to explore character home options in the local area, contact our local real estate professional.

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Buying A Home, Home Buyer Tips, Real Estate Tips

Shelly Ragan

Contact Shelly


REALTOR ®
CALL (402) 672-5522

RE LIC#: 20010706
NextHome Signature Real Estate
Ragan Team

Connect with Us

Archives

How can we help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Recent Articles

  • Six Key Reasons You’ll Want to Work With a Real Estate Agent When Pricing Your Home
  • White Lies That Could Make It Harder To Buy A Home
  • Expecting a Newborn? Baby-proof Your Home With This Quick and Easy Checklist
  • An Overview Of A Wrap-Around Mortgage: What To Know
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 20, 2023

Looking For Something?

Categories

Our Location


NextHome Signature Real Estate
13340 California St, Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68154

Copyright © 2023 · Powered by MySMARTblog