Pros/Cons of buying older home? (sales, condo, houses)

[Miserable Midwest]

Not being much of a handyman myself, should I stay away from a lot of the homes I see listed that were built 80-100 years ago? I could see myself getting into a money pit since I don't have the skills to do much of anything without paying someone to do it. I've heard others say that construction standards were better back then. Anyone who could relate their own experiences on this would be of great help to me!

Thanks!

[scone]

Speaking as someone who has lived in 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st century houses, I'd say it depends on the individual house. The old homes you see today are the ones that have survived, not necessarily because they are better built, although that's sometimes the case, but because they have had better care and maintenance. A house, especially a wooden house, deteriorates very rapidly if it's not kept dry and free of vermin.

That said, the "mechanical" aspects of the house get worn out, or out of code, relatively quickly. Old wiring, plumbing, furnaces, etc. can be dangerous and inefficient. Especially overloaded wiring-- that's a big cause of fires. And energy efficiency is a big problem in an old home if it has drafty single-pane windows, no insulation, etc. I personally would not buy an unrenovated older home unless the price reflected my need to bring it more or less up to modern standards. I have a compulsion to work on my home and change it for the better, or so I think. Other people like their old houses as pure and untouched as possible.

No matter what you buy, new or old, you'll have to do maintenance, or pay someone to do it for you. No getting away from it, even in a condo.

[jthibodeau]

Well said, scone....

[GregW]

A man's home is his hassle. Older home are a biggger hassle than new himes until they get old.

[BadgerNut]

DON'T DO IT!!!! Just kidding. IMO if you can do the work and/or have the time and money to put into it yourself then it's not a big deal. However, I purchased an older home that needed MAJOR repairs 11 years ago and didn't/don't have the time to work on it myself thinking I did have the time. That made it very unenjoyable to live in. I finally have about 85-90% of the house done with mainly the flooring that needs to be finished. That's manageable but it has not been a fun experience to say the least. That's my opinion only though.

[Miserable Midwest]

Originally Posted by BadgerNut

DON'T DO IT!!!! Just kidding. IMO if you can do the work and/or have the time and money to put into it yourself then it's not a big deal. However, I purchased an older home that needed MAJOR repairs 11 years ago and didn't/don't have the time to work on it myself thinking I did have the time. That made it very unenjoyable to live in. I finally have about 85-90% of the house done with mainly the flooring that needs to be finished. That's manageable but it has not been a fun experience to say the least. That's my opinion only though.

Thanks for all the responses. The house I live in currently was built in 1982 and has been pretty low-maintenance for the 3 years that I've been here. I've been wondering whether or not I could handle a house built in the 20s. I'm starting to think maybe I should stick with something newer than 1970.

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by Miserable Midwest

Thanks for all the responses. The house I live in currently was built in 1982 and has been pretty low-maintenance for the 3 years that I've been here. I've been wondering whether or not I could handle a house built in the 20s. I'm starting to think maybe I should stick with something newer than 1970.

oh! I thought you mean an old house - something built in the 1800s or 1700s! heck, the house I live in was built in 1880s... ok, it doesn't have central a/c (which down here I really wish it did), but mostly the window units work. In general, it's been fine - although since we aren't handy there's a lot we don't do, but it certainly wouldn't deter me from buying another old house. Just have it inspected by someone reputable (like JThibedeau!?). From what I've seen, it's the newer homes where the builders were cutting corners that tend to have more problems.

[AngelaK]

I guess it would depend on the state of the house when you buy it, too.........I live in a house built in 1900, but the people who had it before had redone all the pertinent systems, put in vinyl windows and siding, etc. So we have only done mostly cosmetic things to the inside (redoing floors, etc)..... So....if it is a "fixer upper" or "handy man special" stay away...if it has been well cared for and updated, etc, you might want to go for it...these places have lots of character and can be very ruggedly built, etc........

[Colebrook]

I live in a house that was built in 1802. I have replaced the wiring and alot of the plumbing. I was a remodeling contractor for many years in the Boston/Metro west area. I also have an electrical license which also helps. It has taken awhile, but to me it is a labor of love. I've refinished the floors and removed walls. I have completely remodeled the kitchen to be an extra large country kitchen (18x36). My next project is to re-do the stairs. I plan on replacing the treads from painted pine to nice mahogany and replacing the plain balasters with some nice period turnings. Unless you have the knowledge, by all means pay a local contractor to interpret your dreams. No one says it all has to be done in one year . Save a little do a little.

[Boomerang]

I wouldn't base a purchase decision on the age of a house.
I would base my decision on the condition of the house.
My turn of the (this) century house was a money pit. My 200 year old house was rock solid. I've been in new stick-built construction that wasn't worth the paper that the sales brochure was printed on. I've seen darn good-looking modulars (not manufactured, folks, modular...) and some pretty bad ones too. Leave your options open, choose a house you like from the heart, and get it inspected by a highly reputable inspector. You'll do fine.