Buying a Home

If you are thinking of buying an Old Home, seek out people who already live in old homes. Visit the neighborhood often, at various times of the day and week. If possible, live in a nearby apartment first.

Whatever you do....find an inspector to look at every inch of that Old Home before you sign the final papers! What appears to be just a typical slanted floor to you may indicate big time problems to the inspector. Look below for a link where you can locate an inspector in your area.

Look at Oldhouses.net for information on where to buy old homes. They also have a section where old homes are "rescued," information on historic districts, and even how to move an old home.

Inspection Kit:

-OHNE flashlight
Check out those dark, hopefully not dank corners in basement, attic and anywhere there is plumbing.

-notepad
Write down everything that you want to ask about later.

-measuring tape
Will grandma's old buffet really fit through that door?/ how many square feet was that room again?

-Check list:
Water pressure / type & amount of electrical service / type & condition of windows, floors, carpets / plumbing, heating, AC concerns / roof type & condition, fireplace conditions, etc. Find out if the house is located in a historic district! You get the idea.

...and then there is the neighborhood. Visit often and at various times. If at all possible, live nearby in an apartment first.

We were very lucky to find our 1895 Modified Victorian at just the right price and in good condition. Even with that, we had to replace the roof, upgrade the electrical, replace or repair all chimneys, and replace the boiler.

Almost none of this was a surprise, because we had a great house inspector. He walked all over the place, stopping in front of a potential problem area to ask me, "Mike, are you a handy man?" Each time I said "Uhhhhh, no." he would remind us to add that repair to the overall cost of the house.

Click on this guy for tips on what to look for when buying.

This is great site.

Click to find an inspector
Also has consumer alerts!

Asbestos
Many old homes have asbestos used as insulation for the heating system. Unless your old home's system has been replaced fairly recently, you can expect it to have at least some asbestos insulation.

Do not attempt to remove asbestos yourself. Call a professional and get ready for a big financial hit. Your money is going to pay for people who really know what they are doing, can get the proper permits, and have approval for disposal. Asbestos is nothing to fool about with.

Most national real estate agencies have information about how to locate a property, find a local agent, and tips on selling and buying.

I Sold My House
Serving New England since 1997
Claims to help you sell your house without a broker.
Free on line listing.

Retirement is a big step in a person's life. Better to get prepared financially as soon as possible. It is also a good idea to begin thinking about where to retire. What you want nearby in retirement is going to be very different than when the kids were still living at home. Visit the sites below to begin your plan.