The First Things To Check When Moving Into An Old House
Moving into an old home is something that’s attractive to a lot of people, whether it’s due to the fact that some older homes are likely to be a little less expensive, or are likely to have certain aesthetic qualities that they might find attractive. However, older homes also come with their fair share of demands, as well. Age affects homes in a variety of ways, and keeping an eye out for these factors can help you get a better idea of how much it might cost to really make it a home.
Getting it winter-ready
Old homes can get really chilly in the winter if they haven’t been properly prepped. This might be because they lack insulation, be it in the walls, ceiling, or floors, so you might want to see about getting it installed, if necessary. Older doors and windows are fixtures that can linger for a long time, and they might come with low energy efficiency, as well. Replacing these fixtures with more modern versions is likely to greatly improve your home’s ability to retain its heat.
Take a look above
Aside from letting the cold in, a roof that is not up to standard can also see leaks infiltrating from above. Old roofs can be missing tiles or can have cracked or damaged tiles that allow water to start working its way into your home. However, some roofs simply age past usefulness, and water can start seeping between tiles even if they’re not visibly damaged, so researching your local roof replacement cost is always worth it. If it’s just a few damaged tiles, you might be able to replace just those few, but a whole roof replacement is still very much worth it to prevent higher future costs.
Ensure it’s safe and secure
With the older doors and windows that can often come with older homes also comes the fact that they might not be very secure. As mentioned, replacing these doors and windows offers a lot of benefits, chief amongst them being that they’re a lot sturdier. There are plenty of security upgrades you can make to your home beyond that, of course, such as by investing in a home alarm system, CCTV, or even just additional exterior lighting to improve visibility around the home to deter would-be criminals.
Don’t forget the utilities
Of course, aside from the construction and sturdiness of the home, there’s always a need to check the utilities of any home you move into. This is even truer of older homes, which could be more prone to issues with your plumbing, electricals, and HVAC. Make sure that you make time for a technician of each kind to give your home a general audit and point out any issues that might need fixing now or in the future.
If any of the above issues catch your notice, it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. Most homes need a little work, and if it can fit your budget, addressing the above issues could result in a very comfortable home life, indeed.
