Tell me about living in a historic (old) home

[Anonymous]

My family and I are looking at a (gorgeous!) historic home built at the turn of the 20th century. It’s very updated but my husband’s afraid it will be a money pit, and that we won’t be able to make necessary changes due to its designation as a historic home. For those who’ve BTDT, what say you?

[Anonymous]

you should find out if the plumbing or electric is original and if so factor that into the cost

you need a good inspector

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a Victorian built in 1890. It was not completely modernized and the heating system was inadequate. It also did not have central air conditioning. It was very charming and had a gorgeous porch, but I would not live in a house like that again.

[Anonymous]

Exactly what’s been updated?

[Anonymous]

Do lead check swabs in the windowsills to see if it has lead paint remnants. Unless the windows are all new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family and I are looking at a (gorgeous!) historic home built at the turn of the 20th century. It’s very updated but my husband’s afraid it will be a money pit, and that we won’t be able to make necessary changes due to its designation as a historic home. For those who’ve BTDT, what say you?[/quote

This is a separate issue and one you should investigate thoroughly. Your realtor should advise on this. We live in a DC home built in 1904; it's no more of a money pit than most other houses, but has been renovated thoroughly and well maintained. However, the historic designation is another issue that affects remodeling

[Anonymous]

Where is this and what are the necessary changes?

We live in an 1890s rowhome in a historic district and it’s not a problem except if we’d want to completely change the front or something. But we knew that before buying and like the charm of our home/the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Central air?
Lead in paint?
Asbestos in ceiling?
Double-pane windows?
Have walls been opened and insulation put in? Same for ceiling?

All questions you need to ask.
We bought an already updated 1929 house in Bethesda, which had A/C, but we needed to change out windows and open some walls to put in insulation. Some window surrounds had lead.

[Anonymous]

What does updated mean to you? New kitchens and bathrooms? Those are mainly cosmetic and relatively inexpensive when thinking about old house. Concerns are foundation (please consult a structural engineer) roof, chimneys, electric/wiring, plumbing. Unless someone has already removed lathe and plaster to update systems, it's really difficult to know what's behind the walls. Check septic and well if applicable. Beware of possibility of buried and abandoned ancient oil tanks. I love old houses. Have lived in three: 1770 - 1880. It's a life style choice, and usually an expensive one. It's worth it to us. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

We recently bought a 1920s bungalow in Arlington and I wouldn’t do it again.

Basement isn’t structurally sound (confirmed by 2 independent structural engineers, but conveniently the engineer we used for the home inspection before buying didn’t see any issues)… Basement issues involve the actual foundation walls and the framing / joists / columns so it’s a major project to fix.

It’s also a given any old house has asbestos and lead, so it’s a matter of making sure you don’t disturb / circulate it. Eg the people w the Bethesda house above my post definitely have it everywhere else in the house too unless it’s been fully gutted to the studs. Same w the person saying to check for lead in the windows - it’s everywhere. Google this to learn more. The good asbestos remediation companies will tell you to not disturb it unless you’re ready for a full gut reno.

Love the character, but it’s been an absolute money pit.

[Anonymous]

Assume lead paint. Read about encapsulation of lead paint. If you are parents decide your comfort level with regard to your children. I'm the prior 3 old houses poster.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it'll be a money pit / labor of love. That said I enjoy my old house and making improvements, most of the time. But my kids are older and we have the time to devote to it as our hobby. You have to want to take it on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do lead check swabs in the windowsills to see if it has lead paint remnants. Unless the windows are all new.

We live in a historic home, and it’s our fourth one. If you are worried about lead paint and the like, this isn’t for you. If you perform proper maintenance and use skilled people, it’s really no different than a new home. Yes there would have been lead paint at some point, and it’s unlikely it was removed, but it’s also likely encapsulated under many layers of paint and zero issue. You don’t want peeling paint on an old or new home.
As far as maintenance, the historic homes we’ve lived in have all been better built than anything new. I’d just figure out when the electrical and plumbing were updated or redone and if the attic is insulated. I’d also ask the same questions you would on any purchase, eg age of roof, hot water, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family and I are looking at a (gorgeous!) historic home built at the turn of the 20th century. It’s very updated but my husband’s afraid it will be a money pit, and that we won’t be able to make necessary changes due to its designation as a historic home. For those who’ve BTDT, what say you?

Really depends on
How handy you are to DIY with things
How much you like the place.
And most of all the condition and location of the home and whether it will greatly appreciate in value or just regular appreciate.
Have family that lives in some older houses, several over 100 years old, and one over 200 years old.

It's work to get them "into shape" but once you do, if the house has good bones, it's all easy peasy after that, same as any house, but better since older houses were built stronger and better on average. Talking real houses, not shotgun houses from the 1920s-1950s.

[Anonymous]

Laughing at all the lead paint hysteria. It's not an issue AT ALL unless you eat all the paint off the wood.