Are you looking to buy a new home? Are the homes you are looking for characterful? Are they new, or old builds? Well, if you are looking for an older property, on top of many being very easy on the eye, what is inside the walls may not be so easy. So, this article is here to help you think about what to look out for when looking to buy a new, old home.
Buying a New Home
The process of buying itself can be a headache! But, buying a new home and resting in a house that has many faults and many things needing to be fixed, can be even more worry and stress in a situation that in itself is already stressful. When looking at older houses, make sure you research their history. When was it built? What work has it done? Has it been fixed recently, if so what was fixed?
All of the things come together in showing you, an MOT of sorts, of the house. Houses that are older are wonderful and have the potential to be wonderful houses for many more years, but just like anything that has aged, it needs more care and looking after in order for you to live in it.
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Allocate Extra Money in Your Budget for Fixings and Fixes
When it comes to budgeting, if you are looking for an older house, then make sure a portion of the budget you are willing to spend is for the fixing and upkeep of the house. Some houses, will not need much upkeep, however, some may look perfect on the surface, but as time passes, things spill through the cracks and some truly big fixes may need to occur in order to live there! So always be careful when it comes to the budget!
Asbestos
This is one of the biggest headaches for houses built before 1980, and mostly in the 50s. Asbestos is a fibrous chemical that was used heavily in buildings and houses between the 30s, then banned in the 80s. It can be toxic as the chemicals in the air can cause cancers in the long term.
There are many mesothelioma attorneys with years of legal experience who take cases of asbestos today. As the results of breathing in asbestos over a long period of time do not show themselves until later, in the form of cancer and other illnesses. So, be sure to have the older home checked if it still has asbestos as this will be a costly and legal fix to rectify before you move in.
Outdoor Fixing
Besides setting aside money to fix the interior, such as faucets, leaking pipes, walls in the hall, and others, you should also spare some cash for outdoor fixing. There are so many exterior areas of an old home that may require getting fixed.
For instance, you can update the fence to a more modern look. You should have money to work on your lawn if you want to look like a golf house by updating the look of your lawn using Artificial Grass. Ensure that you also set aside money for exterior decors, such as installing a fountain to improve curb appeal. Additionally, don’t forget your windows, roof, and walls. You can repaint the wall with a new inviting color: gray, beige, blue, or cream. Old roofs and windows are prone to leaking, so don’t hesitate to fire a window installation contractor to fix your windows and a roof installation company to your roof. Ensure you select one up to date with the latest designs and tools for an outstanding result.
Buying and Restoring is not easy, but the reward is worth it!
Although this article makes it sound a little scary to buy an older house, the reward after the effort put into restoring an old house to its former glory is so worth it. You can feel the history and the warmth of the house, as it probably has been multiple families’ houses over the many years of it standing there. So, make sure you do your research, and once you move in, enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Friends, what’s your favorite find from this list you’ll be sure to take a second look at when purchasing your next older home? Share your thoughts below.
