For some, there is a great appeal in owning an older home-the pride that comes from preserving an historic part of a neighborhood, being able to restore a decaying house to its former glory, the enjoyment that comes from living in a home that was built with care and craftsmanship. But there can be major pitfalls when buying an older home, condition issues that can quickly turn pride of ownership into regret and major expense. If you are considering an older house, make sure to spend extra time with your home inspector before the closing in order to assure that your ideas for the home can actually be fulfilled.
Older homes can have a myriad of issues, requiring much more thought than the usual, "can I easily fix or replace this?" questions. Outdated or obsolete systems and materials are a major issue. Your inspector is there to make sure everything is in working order, and will usually point out any outdated systems, but it is up to you to dig deeper on any questionable items. For instance; many homes built before 1960 used galvanized plumbing, which has a life expectancy of 30-50 years. The pipe may look fine in the home and work fairly well, but you need to keep in mind that it will have to be replaced eventually. In some areas, insurance companies will not cover homes with galvanized plumbing built before 1940. Lead piping can be equally a problem, with added health considerations if the lead pipe brings water into the home.
Heating and cooling systems should also be taken into consideration-an original system may work now, but it will eventually fail, so what type of system will work best for the home? Were the systems installed properly to begin with, or were they rigged to fit a home that was not built with such systems in mind? Electrical systems like knob and tube or aluminum wiring are often partially replaced in an older home, you'll need to know how much is left and what would be required to complete the replacement. Again, in some areas the amount of outdated wiring in a home can affect insurance rates or make the home uninsurable.
Some of your considerations may be aesthetic. A home that has had asbestos shingle or linoleum added can be perfectly livable, but it may not be what you want, especially if you would like to restore the home to original condition. Removal of asbestos materials can be costly, requiring special professionals to do the job. In some cases, it is easier and more cost efficient to cover over the shingle or flooring-but not always possible. Ask your inspector if he or she can tell what type of materials has been used to help determine the costs of removal and replacement. Slate or clay tile roofing may be historically accurate, but can you afford the maintenance if the home you choose has damage? (Depending on the area it was quarried, slate can last a very long time with good maintenance, but it requires more than a visual inspection from the ground-make sure your inspector gets up close. Clay tile generally lasts 50-70 years.)
Fireplaces and chimneys are an area that should have special consideration with an older home. Many owners do not think of having their chimneys inspected and cleaned regularly, choosing to either forgo use of the fireplace ฝากขายทาวน์เฮ้าส์ or taking the risk of causing a house fire. You may dream of a roaring fire, but lining replacement or a complete rebuild of the chimney may prove cost prohibitive for you or require careful budgeting over time. If you want to convert a wood or coal fireplace to gas logs, size of the fireplace opening and location of gas lines may come into play. Sometimes, a well-meaning owner will install new heating and cooling systems, hooking the ventilation into an old unlined chimney and opening up the possibility for deadly CO2 leaks.
Owning an older home can be a joy and a source of pride. When considering whether or not to buy an "antique" home, make sure you have a reliable, licensed inspector go through the house thoroughly, keeping in mind any possible restoration or renovation you may have in mind. With careful planning and full knowledge of the possible pitfalls, you can budget your money and time to make your older home a sound investment and a pleasure to live in.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น