How do you feel about 100 year old houses? Would you purchase one?

1. 73

   Moms-Secretposted 13 years ago

   How do you feel about 100 year old houses? Would you purchase one?

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2. 0

   RTalloniposted 13 years ago

   What a treasure one could be! But the resources to buy, restore/upgrade, maintain would have be a serious consideration.

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3. 81

   Becky Katzposted 13 years ago

   100 year old houses are generally better made but have no insulation. If I were to consider it, I would have to get an inspection by someone who would also be able to tell me what upgrades have been done and what would still need to be done. Lead pipes were used in older houses and that can lead to lead poisoning. Very serious problem, especially for developing children. It can lead to mental disabilities if the pipes are not replaced with PVC or other safe pipes. Insulation should be upgraded, preferably with the foam type. It gives better R value for the thickness of it. If you replace it with the other type, it would probably require the walls to be redone. Siding also helps raise the R-value. The best way to find out is to get it inspected by a contractor who renovates. They would explain all the things you would need to do and how much it would cost. They would also be able to explain why they would need to be done. They are so much prettier than the newer houses.

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4. 70

   ShootersCenterposted 13 years ago

   Older homes aren't made of the quality that most people believe they were, they don't have proper bracing, aren't build level or square, full of lead paint, poor plumbing and electric. You can purchase replica homes, giving the older look but built by a much higher standard. These homes are kits with the materials included and resemble antiques with modern technologies and would save you the trouble of owning the out dated money pit.

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5. 59

   fdoleacposted 13 years ago

   Yes - if they are structurally sound, have updated plumbing and wiring.  Antique homes aren't for everyone, but if you want the charm and unique lifestyle of an older home it is difficult to obtain in a reproduction.

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   FIL-AM VIEWposted 13 years ago

   It will all depend on the character of the house, location, lot size, and its historical value. Most houses this old are what you call "teardown" properties. If the location of the property is in prime area and you want to build a brand new home - go for it. I've sold properties over a century old and my buyers just tore them down and built new homes. One property I sold was over 8 acres so the buyer went for the lot size. Additionally, I agree with most comments that an inspection is a must prior to purchasing the property if you fell in love with the character of the house.

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7. 60

   nightwork4posted 13 years ago

   i love them. i renovate homes for a living and old homes are my passion. i enjoy preserving the old woodwork and trying to match new with old.

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   Beverly Stevensposted 13 years ago

   Yes, I would buy a structurally sound 100 year old house.  If it is mostly in its original state, the air quality should be better since we now use plastics and synthetics and wood soaked formaldehydes in homes.  I would first make sure I could afford the costs of any necessary upgrades or repairs (wiring, plumbing, roof, insulation, furnace, air conditioning), keeping in mind that improvements need to be according to today's building codes for your area.  New ductwork, for instance, to meet codes can be very expensive.  Still, if I could, I would buy it.

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9. 60

   Vapid Mavenposted 13 years ago

   Depending on the type of home I would buy one. A lot of older homes have more character to them then say newer track homes but some of them are also pretty dang ugly. Most also come with larger lots than newer homes at least the ones form where I am from. Like most have mentioned you should make sure either the important things have been updated or that you can affrod to have them updated. I once rented a home that I believe was built in the 20's. I loved the house, the lot and the neighborhood but was not at all updated and the lights did some pretty freaky things from time to time.

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    maxraviposted 13 years ago

    I would love to purchase it , I will have then 2 option either make it as an antique or build a new house again.

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11. 61

    Prettyemofarieposted 13 years ago

    No. I would not buy one. Too scary
    They are old, and I'd feel like someone is watching me all the time.
    But, I do like to visit them, and I love the way they are built.

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12. 86

    pstraubie48posted 13 years ago

    they have stories to tell..i did buy one for a song and a prayer about 14 years ago. it was sorely in need of repair so my daughter and i went right to work. it was large...the rooms were very spacious...there were 2 fireplaces....the ceilings went up into the clouds...
    it needed so much work ...it was a never ending job. we painted and painted and painted. we rented a sander and sanded the hard wood floors...that was very interesting...the sander was not the easiest gadget to handle i had ever not been taught how to use...
    there were soooooooooo many windows it was amazing.....the light came in and every angle..and the windows went from just about three feet from the floor up, up, and up to the ceiling.
    our pride and joy was the awesome hard wood door we purchased as our entry door.
    the electricity was in real need of repair. i was shocked a few times washing dishes so we had an electrician come out.
    the bathrooms also needed much work. it was quite an undertaking but we felt so much accomplishment at the end of each day.
    my grandboy was very ill so we had to move away from our 'dream' house. sadly we heard about six months later it had burned to the ground. maybe our leaving was a blessing....

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13. 79

    cloverleaffarmposted 13 years ago

    I own an old home. One part  is 222 years old, and the "newer" part is 190 years old. It is very well insulated, and even with no heat never goes below 55. We can go away and don't have to leave heat on.
    I totally disagree with ShootersCenter . Older homes were and are made to last. Obviously, mine has been around almost 225 years. No home today will be standing 225 years from now. They will have fallen down from the poor quality materials they are made from. I saw brand new $600k houses when I use to clean. Not even one year old, and the walls were shifting, and cracking. HA. You won't find me buying a new house.
    Not all all homes have lead paint. That can be stripped out.  Yeah, they may be a little out of square, but who wants a square/plumb house. Square homes have no character and looks like every other home on the block. They aren't made with the same quality, because people don't have the same workmanship quality, They are made of dry wall, cinder blocks and pressed board lumber. Oh, and plumbing and electric can be updated to.
    Old houses have much more character than any new "replica" house that can be built. They have a history and as pstraubie48 states, "stories to tell".
    I have lived in my old house for 6 years, and have spent hardly anything on "the money pit", because the house was kept up.
    Hats off to old houses!

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14. 81

    Amanda Severnposted 8 years ago

    My house was built in 1900. It is roomy, with high ceilings, large windows, and several fireplaces still in situ. A great character home, and no more expensive to maintain than many more modern properties. I would definitely buy another period property in preference to a modern box.

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15. 60

    Kevin Vitaliposted 7 years ago

    I have owned both new construction and a pre 1900 home. 
    
    I was very happy with both!  The older home certainly had way more character than the new construction, as well as plenty of period details in the fixtures, materials and finish.
    
    An older home can certainly suit a home buyer well.  But if you are buying an older home don't skimp on the home inspection, so you may get a full scope of what you are up against.
    
    First you want to make sure the structure and systems are safe and sound to avoid any costly repairs.  Also don't forget to check for insulation, an older home can certainly be a drain on heating and cooling costs. 
    
    Understand owning an older home is going to provide some quirks and possibly more long term maintenance, but I certainly would not pass a good one by just because it is over a 100 years old.

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