If you’re a homebuyer, you may be working within a certain budget in search of your next home. Some buyers look for a fixer-upper to put their workmanship to the test and make their house their own. However, buying an older house can come with some concerns, even if the price is right. Here are a few items to keep in mind as you get ready to purchase an older home and brace your construction team for an entire project.
Check on the state of the roof.
Your inspector should be able to give you the best assessment of the top of your new house, regardless of the type of roof. This is the best way to know if you need a new roof, or if you could get away with having an expert come in and do repairs based on a free consultation. Googling something as simple as “Marietta roof repair” will alert you to whether your new home needs a major upgrade or could just need a few shingles.
Weather events can have a significant impact on a roof, and after several decades of storm damage, it may not be in top-notch condition anymore. You also need to be cognizant of the material that the old roof is made of. In the past, slabs of roofing were painted, so the damage may look worse visually than it actually is. In addition to roof repair, the gutters will also be overdue for a check and cleanout.
Spot any plumbing issues.
A long-time concern for buying older homes was the amount of lead paint that may have been present, which we now know is incredibly dangerous. However, lead in pipes should still be a concern when assessing your potential new home’s plumbing. Professionals will need to be called in to replace the piping, which is also recommended if there are noticeable signs of rust and deterioration over time.
Think of this as an opportune time to get the fixtures you want in your new home and the bathroom remodels of your dreams. Start by searching something like “bath remodel in Tampa” to find options that could handle everything from installation of new sinks or a shower stall to the tile floor and overhead lighting you desire.
Be wary of the house’s foundation.
While we’ve mentioned the importance of having a roofing team take care of the top of an older house, the foundation is just as important to assess in the whole process. Cracks in the foundation could create a tremendous hassle for you to get repaid. It’s extremely costly to have to prepare. Some issues may be cosmetic, which affords a greater peace of mind than large, omnipresent cracks. A minor repair can be quick, and you may be able to lock yourself into a warranty with a great company to address any further problems in a timely manner.
Assess electricity and energy issues.
When evaluating a new house, you’ll want to assess the longevity of your electric wiring. Hiring licensed contractors is the way to go to ensure that your wires don’t fizzle out, proving to be a significantly costly replacement. Even if the wiring works, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not sucking up a ton of energy, running up your electric bill at the end of the day. An insurance provider may be able to help you, in the long run, to assure quality workmanship with the help of a submitted home insurance claim. However, it’ll be in your best interest to try and install green energy in this house, reducing the carbon footprint with the aid of some great professional work.
