I read some where that a lot of those old houses used asbestos insulation.
I love old houses but there are some things to consider when you look it over.
Are there a lot of electrical outlets? Many old homes have like one outlet per room. If your ok with that then fine.
Walk the floors, especially on multiple stories and have someone else (hubby) on the floor beneath when you do. Many old house squeak like crazy. You might not notice it when you looking it over, but you will notice it when you move in.
Most of the time it isn't a problem, even a little squeaking, but you might not care for it if it is loud enough to wake you up for example.
Keep a keen eye out for previous leaking. An old house is bound to have had a leak at one point or another, just make sure it looks like it was temporary.
If it has a well, make sure you have it tested. Nothing worse than a shallow well that goes dry if you wash too many dishes.
Check for dampness in the basement/cellar. Check for musty smells, etc..
Flush the toilet a couple times and see how fast it drains. A slow draining toilet may indicate a problem with the septic.
If it is furnished, look behind furniture, under throw rugs, etc.. Homeowners will hide many things this way.
Old houses have a tendency to have small doorways, and low ceilings. Make sure that your ok with it if that is the case with this house.
That is all I can think of off the top of my head. I have lived in many an old house.
Are there a lot of electrical outlets? Many old homes have like one outlet per room. If your ok with that then fine.
Walk the floors, especially on multiple stories and have someone else (hubby) on the floor beneath when you do. Many old house squeak like crazy. You might not notice it when you looking it over, but you will notice it when you move in.
Most of the time it isn't a problem, even a little squeaking, but you might not care for it if it is loud enough to wake you up for example.Keep a keen eye out for previous leaking. An old house is bound to have had a leak at one point or another, just make sure it looks like it was temporary.
If it has a well, make sure you have it tested. Nothing worse than a shallow well that goes dry if you wash too many dishes.
Check for dampness in the basement/cellar. Check for musty smells, etc..
Flush the toilet a couple times and see how fast it drains. A slow draining toilet may indicate a problem with the septic.
If it is furnished, look behind furniture, under throw rugs, etc.. Homeowners will hide many things this way.
Old houses have a tendency to have small doorways, and low ceilings. Make sure that your ok with it if that is the case with this house.
That is all I can think of off the top of my head. I have lived in many an old house.
Speaking of older homes...
I was raised in an old, rickety, cold Queen Anne farmhouse. As we all know, 100+++ years ago they had different customs than we do today. Can anyone figure this one out?
Our large L-shaped front porch was on the front of the house. Not 5 ft. from the main front door (which faced South) was another front door (faced west). We never could determine WHY there were two apparent "front doors"- so near one another. Both opened into the same entry-way, just from different angles.
Has anyone else ever encountered this- and would you know the reason for it?
Some other long-forgotten features of this house that I found appealing (or at least odd/quirky)- that one seldom sees today: push-button light-switches, shiny black porcelein door knobs, leaded pains of glass, stained glass, built-in "armoire" storage in most rooms and a built-in "china closet", a hexagon-shaped "tower" on the rear of the house (impossible to place a long couch or bed!) round dinner-plate-sized holes on the wall up near the celing in each room covered w/ a decorative plate (used for flu's for stove pipes back in the day), crazy patterned wallpapers and linoleums, a hand-pump & rain-water cistern out back, and a loft in the seperate carriage-house/garage.
BTW- this house had the WORST bathroom and kitchen ever! The large walk-in pantry was awesome- but the lay-out of the counters and appliance spaces were wildly haphazard & troublesome! The bathroom was tiny and cramped- squeezed tightly under a stairway... Old houses are SO NEAT!
I was raised in an old, rickety, cold Queen Anne farmhouse. As we all know, 100+++ years ago they had different customs than we do today. Can anyone figure this one out?
Our large L-shaped front porch was on the front of the house. Not 5 ft. from the main front door (which faced South) was another front door (faced west). We never could determine WHY there were two apparent "front doors"- so near one another. Both opened into the same entry-way, just from different angles.
Has anyone else ever encountered this- and would you know the reason for it?
Some other long-forgotten features of this house that I found appealing (or at least odd/quirky)- that one seldom sees today: push-button light-switches, shiny black porcelein door knobs, leaded pains of glass, stained glass, built-in "armoire" storage in most rooms and a built-in "china closet", a hexagon-shaped "tower" on the rear of the house (impossible to place a long couch or bed!) round dinner-plate-sized holes on the wall up near the celing in each room covered w/ a decorative plate (used for flu's for stove pipes back in the day), crazy patterned wallpapers and linoleums, a hand-pump & rain-water cistern out back, and a loft in the seperate carriage-house/garage.
BTW- this house had the WORST bathroom and kitchen ever! The large walk-in pantry was awesome- but the lay-out of the counters and appliance spaces were wildly haphazard & troublesome! The bathroom was tiny and cramped- squeezed tightly under a stairway... Old houses are SO NEAT!