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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,243,006 times
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Not if it's been maintained and updated for safety. Small 2 bedroom homes in Seattle built 1900-1920 are going like hotcakes for over $500,000.
The problems with homes that old are numerous, but they also have a real appeal to many people. Look for things like brick, stacked stone or even wood foundations that are weak; Knob and tube or aluminum wiring; wide cracks in the plaster; galvanized or even lead pipe; there are those who would be worried about haunting in such an old house.
My home was built in 1927 and the insurance is quite reasonable. Personally, there is no age limit on how old a home I would buy, if I could afford it. If I lived in Europe, I'd be delighted to have a Medieval home.
I don't know if one from the 1930s is too old. I wonder if insurance will be much higher because of it.
How old the house is isn't as important as how well it's been maintained and updated over the years. Many older houses have a quality of construction that surpasses anything you'll find today. (Of course, others are just money pits, which is why hiring a good inspector is so important!)
I lived for 3 years in a house that was 500 years old. Other than very low doorways and steep stairs it was wonderful and I would not hesitate to buy it.
I will admit that the construction was of a type which was much more solid than you will find in modern houses. All beams and the outer walls use 12x18 hand hewn solid oak beams filled between with horse hair and plaster. Roof was originally thatch and had been modernized with slate tiles.
Also, it had never in its entire existence ever been a cheap house.
I lived for 3 years in a house that was 500 years old. Other than very low doorways and steep stairs it was wonderful and I would not hesitate to buy it.
I lived for 3 years in a house that was 500 years old. Other than very low doorways and steep stairs it was wonderful and I would not hesitate to buy it.
I will admit that the construction was of a type which was much more solid than you will find in modern houses. All beams and the outer walls use 12x18 hand hewn solid oak beams filled between with horse hair and plaster. Roof was originally thatch and had been modernized with slate tiles.
Also, it had never in its entire existence ever been a cheap house.
Unless I had to, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't buy a home built after 1940.
I'm a little more generous, and will go up to 1960. Mayyyyyybe 1970.
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