Many home buyers love the prospect of remodeling an older home and with good reason. Many older homes have a lot more character than a newer house and, when fixed up right, can combine this character with modern convenience. But, there is a lot to consider with an old fixer upper, for example, are you prepared, and do you have the budget to deal with the many issues that often accompany this type of property? Let’s take a look at some of the issues you might encounter:
We are now much more aware of the dangers associated with certain materials commonly used in construction years ago. If you buy an old home, however, particularly one that has had the same owner for many years, you will likely encounter at least some of these materials. One such material is asbestos which was commonly used between the 1930s and 50s. If the home is this old, you could find asbestos insulation.
Aluminum wiring is another issue with houses built during the 1960s and 70s. This was often used instead of copper wiring but, over time, experienced problems and was found defective. If you find this in the home, you will want to replace it.
Lead paint is another issue you will likely find, this becomes a real problem when it deteriorates and starts to chip and turn to dust.
Radon can also be an issue in an older home. This is problematic because it cannot be detected by sight or smell so a test must be carried out to determine whether radon levels are too high.
This is just some of the problems that frequently accompany older homes. These are also issues that must be dealt with by a professional, skilled at their removal which can eat into your budget. So, before you take on a project like this, make sure you are prepared for what might come along.