Are oldies really goodies?
Buy an historical home and you may inherit issues
They say they don’t build them like they used to. But were older homes built better than the ones today? Well, it depends.
Older cities like Toronto, Montreal and St. John’s have homes over 100 years old. Some of these homes are still standing — others, barely. But if you’re interested in old real estate, it’s important you know what the neighbourhood was like when the house was built. This can give you a rough idea of the state of the property.
Not all of the original owners of century homes had money. Some couldn’t afford skilled builders and labourers. A lot of them even had to build it themselves, regardless if they had the skills to do it right. Can you imagine if your neighbour had built his own house? What shape would it be in 100 years from now?
Remember, there were no building codes then.
But homes get inherited, bought and sold. And so do their problems.
That’s not to say there wasn’t craftsmanship back in the day. I’ve seen quality homes over 100 years old. But some homes are just old. Homeowners must be wary of the potential problems that come with such homes.
Was the house built in a wealthier part of town 100 years ago? Or was it the home of a labourer? How do you find out?
Most municipalities have archives and historical maps that can tell you what different neighbourhoods were like, 50 or even 200 years ago.
They can also tell you the typical demographics of the people who lived there. This can provide insight into the home’s original structure.
Let’s say you’re interested in a 60year-old house. You find out it was built and owned by an engineer or architect. Are you in the clear? Again, it depends. Renovations over the years may have compromised it.
For example, older century homes didn’t have many bathroom fixtures. Most bathrooms today are much heavier. If a century home’s bathrooms have been updated, make sure the floors have been reinforced. Has it been properly waterproofed?
What about insulation? Most homes built before 1960 don’t have enough, especially in the attic.
Is there knob-and-tube wiring? If a house was built before 1940, it mostly likely did at some point. If it still has knob-and-tube wiring, many insurance companies won’t insure it.
Older homes also have their health hazards in things like lead paint and asbestos. If a home was built before 1940, there’s an 87% chance it has lead paint. Before the 1980s, asbestos was used in all kinds building products.
Other common problems in older homes include: rusting pipes, rotting beams, mould and termites, water damage, hazardous framing, uninsulated walls and ductwork, undermined foundations and damaged exteriors, such as cracks in plaster.
Always hire an inspector to check out any home you’re thinking of buying, especially if it’s older. You might also want to bring in a contractor with experience renovating older homes. They’ll be able to tell you what it costs to bring the house up to code.
At the end of the day, old or new, any home will have some issues.