Questions To Ask When Buying An Older Home

Whether you are buying a century home for the first time, or you have experience living in older homes, it is important to ask a multitude of questions to ensure that you won’t have havoc in the future.

Here are the top questions you should ask when buying an older home!

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The Structure

Has the foundation ever been updated or repaired?

Be sure to have an inspector or an experienced Real Estate Professional look for any visible signs of damage, cracking, moisture issues or slants in the foundation

Have there been/ are there signs of any past structural issues?

Structural issues can quickly become costly! Be on the lookout for signs of major repairs, sagging floors, sloped walls or a lack of structural support.

Once you get into these kinds of repairs, you will often find that one problem will lead to many smaller issues with the home.

What materials were used in the original construction of the home?

Some materials will be outdated. Look for signs of poor insulation, dated piping, and a dated furnace. Explore the signs of wear and tear on the windows and doors as well as issues with brick or flagstone on the exterior.

Buying a home soon? Check out these blogs for more advice!

Electrical, Heat, Plumbing and HVAC

When was the electrical last updated?

It is important to consider the bones of a home the same way you consider a home’s aesthetic and cosmetic appeal. Knob and Tube plumbing is common in century homes that have not been majorly renovated. This can often become a serious fire hazard and needs to be removed.

What kind of plumbing is in the house?

The majority of the old homes built in Ontario, particularly those that have not been updated, will have plumbing issues. These often pertain to the use of lead pipes and galvanized steel, this can be alarming as it can corrode.

How old is the heating system?

Many old homes still have radiator heating. This can be a costly heating system because it takes a longer time to disperse the heat throughout the home.

When installing new HVAC systems, the most costly expense is the labour. Large radiator heating units require significant maintenance and can be quite tedious to move.

Is there installation and if so what type?

Ensuring that your home is properly insulated will keep you warm during the winter months. If your old home has never been renovated it will likely have lath and plaster walls as well as poorly dispersed insulation.

Are the walls drywall or lath and plaster?

Lath and plaster walls are not convenient if you have any plans of hanging heavy artwork or mounting a TV. The walls do not have a strong threshold and tend to break apart if you try to hang heavy art or hammer in a nail.

Ensuring you ask the homeowner or their real estate agent about the type of walls will save you from potentially damaging them.

Roof & Windows

What kind of roof is on the house and when was the last time it was repaired/replaced?

Having the history of the roof is a key step in understanding when it will need to be replaced or fixed in the future.

If the homeowner has not kept up on the maintenance of their roof it is likely that it could be damaged from natural wear and tear.

TIP: Ask the homeowner to disclose any repairs or replacements done to the roof- particularly if it is a shingled roof

When was the last time the windows were replaced?

Changing windows can cost as much as $50,000! This is a hidden expense that homeowners will need to look out for.

It is also a non-negotiable expense because having string windows is essential for the colder months in Canada.

Make sure you or your Realtor know when the windows were last replaced or if they are original to the home and require storm window installations in the winter.

Searching for more home buying advice? Check out these related blogs next!

Environmental Concerns

Is the area that the home is built on prone to poor drainage or flooding?

Many older homes have poor weeping tiles. Not only that, they tend to have dated window wells, sometimes small in size, which create poor drainage. Ensuring that you are aware of the potential risks associated with poor drainage in the community and on the property will help you budget potential future costs.

Have the unfinished spaces of the home been prone to any pests or unwanted visitors?

It is common in many older homes to have issues with bats in the attic, mice and sometimes even rats. They tend to have many nooks and crannies where these small rodents can sneak in.

Ensuring you or your Realtor ask about previous issues with these not so furry friends is important so that you don’t have to deal with costly extermination after the fact!

Renovations & Maintenance

Have there been any major renovations done to the home and when?

Ensuring that quality renovations were done to the home previous to your purchase will help you avoid future costs. This is particularly important for structural reasons, as most major renovations to century homes require permits and quality craftsmanship to retain the character of the home.

Knowing what has been replaced and works vs what still needs to be repaired is key when undertaking an old home!

Are the floors original/ have they been refinished or redone?

Original floors in old homes certainly sweeten the deal, between their visual appeal to the hidden stories in the floorboards, they add so much character! However, they can pose a challenge when they are not properly maintained.

You may want to consider refinishing the floors and this can get costly… quickly. Ask the sellers and their Realtor if the floors are original, if they have ever been stained, and when or if they have been refinished.

Do you have any professional and experienced contractors?

If the previous homeowner has done quality work to the home, through replacements and renovations, their contractor contacts will serve a great purpose for you! If you are buying the home, ask the owner about their preferred contractors.

They have already worked in the home, understand its quirks and flaws, and will be great resources for any future work.

Looking to Buy an Old Home?

This post has focused on the questions you should be asking if you are looking to buy an old home in hopes that doing so will help you save the stress that could come later without this information.

Not only have these questions saved some of our clients, but they have also helped provide them with a sense of security in the purchase process.

If you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned mover, these tips are versatile for all older homeowners and will only make your purchasing decisions easier!

Our team has a multitude of experience with old-century homes, from living in them to selling them, Scott Robinson, David Coccia and Michael Christie are happy to provide you with a specialized service based on experience and expertise in our area’s older homes.

Ready to buy? We can help! Reach us by email at info@capstonereps.com or call 519.824.9050.

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