8 Things to Know Before Buying an Old House, According to Experts
My mother laughs as she describes the day she and my father—newly married—first laid eyes on the Greek Revival fixer-upper that would become my childhood home: “Our agent told us we were the only people who would even get out of the car to look.” But they were starry-eyed, and the house needed them as much as they needed it.
Over time, things were fixed—mostly by my parents with their own hands. They remember navigating around all the quirks; I remember navigating secret nooks and crannies.
Today, my husband Ethan and I don’t dream of relaxing days spent on the beach. We dream of rolling up our sleeves and bringing an old house back to its former glory. We’ve been known to interrupt a lazy Sunday drive by slamming on the brakes anytime we spot a crumbling farmhouse off in the distance. He wants a rustic cabin at the end of a long dirt road. I want an old saltbox—the kind with wide floorboards and a fireplace large enough to walk inside. Things like original kitchens and bathrooms (mint-green tile and fixtures, please!) are known to give me heart palpitations. I have a weakness for vintage, peeling wallpaper.
Looking back, I realize that while my childhood home itself was unique, the way our house captivated my imagination was anything but. My HGTV show, Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House, and social media feed, @cheapoldhouses, are both a celebration of those undiscovered fixer-uppers waiting to be loved.
Let’s band together to preserve these old houses for future generations so that our children—and our children’s children—get to share in their magic.
But, before you take the plunge, here are eight things you need to consider:
SET YOUR BUDGET
You’ll probably look at the house and think, “How hard could it be?” (Insert nervous laughter here.) But many of its quirks won’t be revealed until you start peeling away the layers. A general rule of thumb: Estimate what you think it’ll take to fix the house, and then double it. This may sound extreme, but it’ll leave lots of padding in the case of unwelcome surprises.
GATHER YOUR TEAM
You don’t have to be an expert to fix up an old house, but you do need to surround yourself with them. Help mitigate your risk before buying by hiring two inspectors, not just one. Depending on the state of the house, you might also consult a structural engineer. Seek out people in your area who have experience working with old homes—you’ll need more than your average Joe to tell you how to tackle that knob-and-tube wiring. And last but not least, engage with others who are documenting their restoration journeys online. (You can follow us on our own old house renovation journey@fearnofixer.)
UNDERSTAND THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS
You’ll want to first make sure the house is safe and sound. Moisture is the greatest threat to old houses, so you’ll need to take care of any water issues right off the bat. Also, ask your inspector if the house has dangerous mold and make sure the roof and foundation are in good shape (both can be $$$, so tread lightly).
SEEK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Contract your local historic society to see if the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If so, tax credits will be available for certain types of restoration work. And while some local historic designations can restrict your ability to alter the home, they can make you eligible for special grants. Ask your lender about applying for a renovation loan such as a 203(k) or a HomeStyle loan.
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES
When you buy a fixer-upper, you’re not just buying a house you’re buying a project, so it’s important that you look forward to the process, not the product. There will always be work to do, and that’s entirely the point. Thankfully, a slew of online DIY tutorials are just a click away.
PLEDGE TO RESTORE, NOT REPLACE
When dealing with original features, it’s always best to first try to restore. Windows, cabinetry, and doors were custom-built to fit, and nothing out-of-the-box will work quite as well. When the originals are beyond repair, nothing beats a dig through a good salvage shop. Or, try online sources historichouseparts.com for lighting and hardware and hannahstreasures.com for vintage wallpaper.
EMBRACE THE QUIRKS
You should know up-front that you will not find a single right angle in your entire house. Past owners will have made changes that you won’t understand and piecing together the story will be both terribly perplexing and incredibly fascinating. But before you go trying to correct all the home’s quirks, we suggest living with them for a while. You can help understand your house’s history by researching its style and asking your local historic society for tips on digging up any documentation.
FALL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE
Nothing will motivate you to keep plowing ahead quite like a profound love for your house. Keep a pair of rose-colored glasses by your bedside, and don’t be afraid to wax poetic when you tell people about the way your vintage chandelier sparkles over your favorite original mantelpiece.
You Might Also Like
