What are the big ticket systems you look at first?

[Anonymous]

If you’re looking at a house’s systems, what are the big-ticket things you look at first to decide whether it’s go/no go on buying? What do you look to tune up or replace first if you buy a fixed upper? First time buyer here.

[Anonymous]

ROOF

electrical
HVAC
appliances

condition of exterior/windows/drainage

[Anonymous]

I’m more concerned with things behind the walls like electrical and plumbing. Items like roof, HVAC and windows are easy to replace. The one thing I learned from a recent experience was to redo floors before moving in.

[Anonymous]

Plumbing esp if house is very old - if in DC, galvanized steel pipes, whether it's the old lead line supplying water to the house - have an inspector check this as the records are sometimes inaccurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m more concerned with things behind the walls like electrical and plumbing. Items like roof, HVAC and windows are easy to replace. The one thing I learned from a recent experience was to redo floors before moving in.

+1 on redoing floors, we've been through a renovation and are looking for a new house. The one thing we want to be sure we have done if needed is replace floors before we move in. Other things like updating a bathroom or even a kitchen can be done while living in the house, but replacing floors (esp if you do new wood floors done the right way) while living in a house is awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m more concerned with things behind the walls like electrical and plumbing. Items like roof, HVAC and windows are easy to replace. The one thing I learned from a recent experience was to redo floors before moving in.

How are you evaluating electrical and plumbing? I don't even think inspectors look into that in great detail.

[Anonymous]

I'd never make a go/no go on a house based on the roof or HVAC. Those things are relatively cheap. I'm much more concerned about if I can see myself living in the house, I like the general layout and appearance, the lot, the location, etc.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the age of the house, but if I know I’m buying a fixer upper, really the only deterrents would be foundation issues. And as long as I know what I’m getting into with the rest, I can estimate the cost and whether it makes sense to purchase at that price.

[Anonymous]

+1 to roof and hvac being no big deal and pretty accessible, unless it’s a really big slate roof. Big price tag but unlikely to spiral out of control.

Plumbing and wiring. Basement drains. Windows. Deck.

But all this stuff is just about adjusting $$, not make or break at any price.

[Anonymous]

Foundation, Roof, Heating and Cooling, Chimney, tree health and how close to the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m more concerned with things behind the walls like electrical and plumbing. Items like roof, HVAC and windows are easy to replace. The one thing I learned from a recent experience was to redo floors before moving in.

How are you evaluating electrical and plumbing? I don't even think inspectors look into that in great detail.

Find out when it was installed and what it’s made of. The inspector can help you understand what issues come up with whatever the material and age are, what to look for, and if you’re likely to need to replace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ROOF

electrical
HVAC
appliances

condition of exterior/windows/drainage

On your list, the windows are the most expensive part to replace, especially custom sized (old houses and new modern houses will all be custom sized windows). I wish we had paid more attention to the condition of the windows.

[Anonymous]

Yard drainage situation. Having a yard drain into a basement is a no go for me.

Roof (a few years ago mortgage company initially balked because roof was older, even though we were replacing it immediately.)
HVAC
Electrical
Plumbing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m more concerned with things behind the walls like electrical and plumbing. Items like roof, HVAC and windows are easy to replace. The one thing I learned from a recent experience was to redo floors before moving in.

How are you evaluating electrical and plumbing? I don't even think inspectors look into that in great detail.

You can get some idea from the age of the house and the type of wiring and the condition of any exposed pipes.

[Anonymous]

Roof, kitchen, bathrooms, drainage, water pressure, heating/cooling, mold, closet space, flooring.