Inspectors’ Guide to Buying an Older House

There are many advantages of buying older homes in Brisbane. The legendary Queensland has retained its charm and sensibleness throughout the years. Older homes also tend to come with lower prices. It is also common for older homes to be in the nicest neighborhoods or built on the biggest lots. Older homes are available as you need them, no extra expenses and inconveniences while waiting for your home to be finished. Just few renovations and upgrades and you’re good to move in.

There are also material disadvantages in buying older homes. You might not like its layout, house details and features will be dated, and the building might no longer be compliant to present laws. More importantly, the house itself might not be completely habitable.

Here is an inspector’s guide to knowing and buying an older home.

Have the electrical system thoroughly checked. It’s not enough that the bulbs are lighting up or that the fridge is running. Have a licensed building electrician to look into the wiring system, fuse boxes, and insulation. Expect older homes to have older electrical systems. Many older homes were wired for lighting only, not for modern appliances like refrigerators, ACs, washers, and computers, with systems designed to handle low electrical usage. Calculate the cost of the needed upgrades and add that to the cost of home purchase.

Check into the plumbing system. Do not rely on what you see, and on the dry sink and flushing toilet. Have a plumber go down and dirty and take a look into the plumbing system of the home you are interested in buying. Pipes could already be brittle or rusty. Plumbing repairs and upgrades on Brisbane homes are both expensive and nerve-wracking. If you really like the house and intends to buy it despite its outdated plumbing system, make sure that you allot enough time and money to renovate before you can move in.

Do not buy older homes without checking the roof. The overall condition of the home ultimately depends on the condition of its roof. Leaky roof means damages ceiling, beams, and attic moldy space. Mold and mildew are health hazards. Check for the overall appearance of the roof, note missing tiles or shingles or rusty iron sheets. Are the downspouts missing? Does the house have prominent rain stains on its sides? If you notice any of these signs of roof neglect, make sure to check the building integrity. Have a structural expert check on the overall condition of the building.

Know what’s behind the new paint. The easiest way to make an older home look newer and more attractive is by coating it with a nice coat of paint. It hides imperfections, evens out walls and ceilings, and instantly makes the house look bright and neat. Before you even think of the best curtains to go with the paint, first try to know what’s behind it. What is the condition of the wall? Is the house properly insulated?

Know the previous owners, if possible, its three previous owners. Who have lived in the house? What did they do? What kind of pets did they lived with? Were they shop-owners, doctors, drug dealers? Did somebody died in the house? How? How many months or years the house been empty? Had there been a smoker in the house? Doing a little investigation could save you from dreadful surprises after you’ve signed in the contract.

Older homes in Brisbane are generally well-kept and well-cared for. They’ve been around for a long time and have served as gentle reminders of our carefree childhood. But when you are buying one, consider the investment you will be putting into creating a home from that house. Take all precaution to protect your family and your investment.

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