Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Tips From Historic Preservation Contractors For Assessing The Condition Of A Potential Purchase

By Peter Olson


If you are in the market for a really special place to call home, you might be interested in an older house with plenty of history and period details. Living in an historic home can be a real pleasure, but before you buy, historic preservation contractors suggest you carefully consider what you will be getting into. They have checklists for potential purchasers that will help them decide whether or not the house they have fallen in love with is a good investment for the money.

When touring these properties, it is a good idea to have a checklist with you. It's not hard to forget things when you are first going through a property. Old homes sometimes have looks that can be deceiving. You need to make sure you have thoroughly inspected everything on your checklist before you leave the property. Taking a contractor with you can speed the process.

Even as you approach the house, you can begin to assess its condition. You will be able to see if the roof is drooping and the chimneys are tilting dangerously. Upon closer inspection, you need to check on missing roof tiles and whether or not the eaves and gutters are functional. If you have some idea of actually using the fireplaces, you need to stick your head inside to check the flue liners.

Walking around the property will give you a general sense of the overall condition of floors. You should look for sagging, tilting, creaks, and cracks. If there is carpet, you can try to pull up a corner to inspect the flooring underneath. Houses with multiple floors may have structural issues with stairs and railings.

The ceilings and walls may indicate whether or not there are foundation issues with the home. Cracks and uneven tiles may mean the house has settled and will need to be leveled if you decide to proceed with the purchase. Homeowners sometimes wallpaper and paint over problems instead of fixing them. Running your hand over the walls will give you an idea of their condition.

Cellars and attics must be inspected carefully. Even with a flashlight, you may be able to tell if the cellar gets wet or has sustained some sort of water damage. The same is true in the attic. You should be able to get a sense of the condition of rafters and beams.

The previous owner may or may not have had the electrical and plumbing systems updated. If you aren't a professional electrician or plumber, you might need someone to look at the systems in the home and tell you whether they are up to code or outdated. You might not even be able to close on the house until some repairs have been made.

Historic homes that have been carefully renovated are beautiful. They are full of the kind of embellishments and ornamentation not seen in newer houses. These homes can be expensive to refurbish however. You have to decide if the effort is worth the cost.




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