Trying to find a great deal on the housing market has some challenges. You may find a better deal on older houses or ones in more remote areas. However, there are certain signs of danger to look for when buying an old house that you should know about. Catching these things early on can give you a good idea of what repairs or modifications you may need to make after signing the papers.
Radon in the Basement
Radon is a harmful gas that occurs when uranium in rock and soil starts to erode. In nature, it dissipates harmlessly into the air, but it can be deadly if trapped in your house. If you’re looking at a home with a basement, radon risks are higher, and you should look for a radon detector. You can also conduct a radon test for a minimal fee that you can likely write off on your taxes.
Potential Electrical Issues
It’s always a good idea to check the wiring system and electrical panel before buying a home. If the house was built between 1950 and 1990, you should absolutely examine the electrical panel. Take heed if you see the Federal Pacific name or logo or anything involving Stab-Lok. There are well-documented dangers of having a Federal Pacific panel in older homes, and they’re responsible for thousands of electrical fires every year.
Maintenance Logs
One sign of danger when buying an old house is more about what information you can’t find. Don’t hesitate to ask the real estate agent for maintenance logs or other valuable information. Knowing when and how people most recently fixed the pipes, installed new features, or performed routine upkeep work can save you a lot of hassle with your potential new home.
There are many potential warning signs when shopping for older houses, especially ones that have fallen into disrepair. Knowing how to identify these signs shouldn’t automatically discourage you from buying but instead helps prepare you for what you can do to fix them. In many situations, you may be able to include repairs of documented problems as a condition for buying the home.
