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I'm a little more generous, and will go up to 1960. Mayyyyyybe 1970.
The construction quality is likely fine up to the 70s (depending on the region), but I personally don't very much like the mid-century or 70s style houses.
I wouldn't want a house that was built before indoor plumbing and electricity unless the remodeling upgrade was exceptional.
Another problem with the old houses is that the mortar used in the brick and stone becomes powdery when it aged causing structural problems. It would have to be taken out and tuckpointed with new mortar to bring it up to safety standards which could become expensive if you didn't know how to do this yourself.
My current (TH) home was built in the 70's. My staircases are 4 feet wide, as are my hallways. The party walls are double cinderblock. I have to have pictures professionally hung due to brick on cinderblock on sheetrock - I know its just a different drillbit, but my one attempt was not pretty.. ..it's a pain only being able to hang your own pictures on interior walls. My hardwood floors are the old hardwood that's 4" thick with lots of resanding, if needed.
The only thing that had me losing sleep was the breaker box - which I replaced before I moved in......and the outlets. I had an electrician come out and (I want to say pigtail them?) replace every single one. There are the occasional pains, like there were no electric outlets in the bathrooms and had those put in while the electrician was here, along with the motion detected floodlights on three sides of my home (end unit). I have never heard neighbor noise......worried if I had to call (as in scream) for help, no one would hear me.
I've purchased brand new before, this was a rehab with new appliances - kind of a mix of old/new. To go brand new in my area and get something comparable, it would be a condo townhouse, be priced at least 50 - 75K more and have an HOA fee to match (at least $200). I may have paid ~ 3K - 5K too much, but not much more payment-wise and remaining on the rental hamster wheel was not what I wanted to do.
As long as they have been modernized over time, I can see no limit to how far back I would go. I have shown a few 19th century farm houses that were VERY cool.
The 1920s was the golden age of construction in America. And don't forget we were a very rich country then. Much richer overall (inflation-adjusted) than any time since. That is reflected in 1920s construction.
I do not think age is especially important. Where I live, in Massachusetts, the housing stock is mostly made up of houses which would be considered quite old when compared to the US as a whole.
I would ask myself, what is the oldest house I would buy that is well maintained, updated and in decent condition?
For example, my house was built in 1892, which is really only slightly older than average for my neighborhood. My friend's brother bought a house recently, built in 1941, which is about the average age for his neighborhood (we live fairly near each other--about 8 miles apart). His house, which is fifty years younger than mine has all sorts of problems: roof structure and roof surface, heating, electrical, outdated layout, which he spent some $50,000 revamping inside downstairs.
My house, fifty years older is in much better shape and already has a decent layout, which would suit a modern taste well enough.
In my area, there are plenty of houses which date to even the 1700s, which for me that might be the limit. Those houses often are quite drafty unless if someone has recently taken the money to have it insulated, etc.
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