Moving into an Old House? Look Out for These 6 Things
October 17, 2023
Old houses are incredibly versatile; they can be the perfect backdrop for a scary horror film or a timeless beauty for tours and events, a safety hazard or a historic landmark, a slight to the street or a drive-by destination. But old houses can also be the perfect home for many people who enjoy the classical nuances of past decades!
If you’re in the market to move and have your heart set on an old house, there are a few factors to be considered that might not be as important with newer houses, but that shouldn’t be a deterrent. Inspections make it easy to catch most of the items on this list, but if you know what you need to look for, the more eyes that are on your potential home, the better. You should schedule more than one inspection from multiple specialists, such as bug inspectors, structural engineers, and traditional inspectors, but doubling up on any one of them never hurts and you can always call in another specialist.
After your inspection specialists are booked, you can head over to our website to get your moving specialists boked too! Go Mini’s Portable Storage Containers is here to help with every part of the moving process as Kentucky’s portable storage experts. We offer on-site storage, unit moving from one location to another, or at our secure storage location!
For now, read below about 6 things that you should be on the lookout for when moving into an old house.
1. Price
If the price seems too good to be true, then your intuition is likely kicking in and you should start asking a lot of questions and doubling up on your inspections. However, if the low price comes with open information about what needs to be fixed and why the house is such a good deal, then DIYers and fixer-uppers might look specifically for this!
2. Hazardous Materials
Old houses were built in times that did not have the technological and medical knowledge that we hold today; therefore, you should be well-aware of the materials that were used in the construction of the house. Lead paint was very prevalent up until 1978, asbestos was a popular insulation material from the 40s-70s, and depending on where the home was built, radon might be also be a concern as rocks around and under the property deteriorate.
3. Electrical and Plumbing
As two of the most important utilities in the house, you should always be checking for the stability and function of the electrical wiring and water systems of the house. This includes any outdated equipment and exposed, broken, or frayed wires, as well as an inspection of the pipes to look for leaks, rusted or corroded spots, and a good water filtration system.
4. How Long the House Had Been Vacant
Old homes are much more livable and easier to fix if they’ve been maintained. If the old house was vacant for a long while before you expressed interest, be sure to check for signs like mold, bat, bug, and rodent infestations, and sulfuric or other strange smells.
5. Foundation and Structural Integrity
Perhaps the most important factor of them all, the structural integrity of the walls, floors, and roof are integral to a safe home and much less expensive repairs later in your ownership. The foundation of the house is also a concern in old houses and shouldn’t be overlooked as corrosion, dry rot, moisture damage, and large cracks can be subtle, but very important to catch early.
6. Ghosts
In the spirit of Spooky Season, there’s nothing that brings a house’s resale value down like haunted spirits of the past. If you get the heebie jeebies walking into a room, see cabinet doors slamming open and shut when no one is nearby, or hear whispers from behind a welded door leading to the attic or the basement, you might want to reconsider your offer before moving – or at least read up on the history of the house!
Happy Halloween from Go Mini’s Portable Storage Containers, your go-to moving units!!
If you need portable storage containers or a moving storage solution, Go Minis of Louisville is here for you. We’re the locally-owned portable storage pros, ready to help make your next move as easy as possible. To get a free instant quote, visit our website at gominisky.com or drop us a line at 502-772-2821 to speak with one of our Louisville experts! We’ve got the knowledge, and we’ve got the drive – contact us today!
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