Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

To be specific- it's 133 years old.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

wellll.............yes & no.

I had looked at some around that age, and I always found low ceilings, smaller rooms, weird layouts, etc. Not in all cases, but most.

I find them to be quite charming, though. I looked at many in port jeff and patchogue.

The only issue would be my fear of things being up to par, like electric, plumbing, heat, insulation, termites, etc. There is a lot to take into consideration.....for example, if you ever wanted to upgrade appliances, could the house handle it?


People DO obviously buy them, but some are not without their issues.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

If things like electric and plumbing were up to date, I totally would. I love old houses.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Hi, Jen!!!! I was interested in finding some info as well, so here's a link, about what to look for when buying an old house. Mary




http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/buying-an-old-house.shtml

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

LOVE LOVE LOVE old houses, the older and creepier the better. So, YES, In a heartbeat.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

NO, not my thing at all. My last house was 90+ years old and I wasn't a fan.

Message edited 1/15/2011 10:01:17 PM.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

With a heavy heart.... no. I absolutely love old houses. Love them to pieces. My parents had an old english tudor that was just amazing, with original stained glass, and secret built in compartments for valuables, and all sorts of fun stuff. But man, the plumbing... what a freckin nightmare. And the funny thing is that it was a well-known plumbing company's owner's house at one time!

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Yes for the charm and no for electrical and plumbing.

I've upgraded both in my 80 year old home. I have 11ft ceilings and it's not cramped but I made sure my inspector looked at the important stuff.

I have archways and mouldings that no other home on my block has. Charm is what it has.

If you don't mind some projects than it's a great house.

Having said that, we are not handy and some projects are still not done.

So think carefully and make a list of the things you would have to fix in the short term, mid term and long term.

As much as I love my house I would buy something newer (a lot newer) next time.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

I wouldn't but only because I'm afraid it might be haunted! I'm a big baby like that.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

I would in a heartbeat.....if I had enough money to spend to make it work.

DH and I saw a house that I still think about sometimes, but I would have been living in a constuction site for years, so unless you have the patience and the cash, or the house already seems under control I wouldn't.

When I win the lottery I want to live in the oldest, coolest, creepiest ,house money can buy!

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

LOVE old houses- the look, the feel, the charm. but the upkeep, the heating, the plumbing, the wiring, etc. something is constantly breaking and needing to be replaced.... so unfortunately no they are nice to visit, show off, and stay in temporarily, but as a permanent home, too much of a headache imo.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

My house is 170 years old and there are much older ones around here on Long Island as they were built so solidly. All my windows are original whereas my rental house's twenty five year old Andersons will soon need replacing because they are beginning to rot :(

Living in one is different than living in a new house, but I like it a lot. We have many unique features that modern houses do not. I have a beehive oven made of bricks and seven fireplaces in a 2400 sq ft house. Fireplaces were central heating back in the day.

We upgraded the electric and rebuilt the doorways as they tilted - which I thought charming but DH did not. Over the years we have upgraded the plumbing and the heating. Most recently we put in geothermal which was the best move we ever made. Soooo comfortable, no more oil bills and a 30% tax credit. Yum!

Definitely get a house inspection first so you know what you are dealing with. We didn't before we bought which meant everything was a surprise.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

No, probably not,unles the plumbing, electric and insulation was done.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Yes. I would prefer an old house, keep the details and upgrade the kitchen, baths, electric & plumbing.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

not unless electric and plumbng were basically comletely redone in recent years. i grew up in an awesome 100+ year old home but what a headache for my parents.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

I want to also say that we bought it and the kitchen was brand new. We blew in insulation, replaced old galvanized pipes with Pex and added a 220 line for a big wall AC.

We also upgraded lighting and fixed walls.

We would like to replace the outside brick work and some other large $$ projects but we have to save up.

I find that people I know who have newer homes have their own issues.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Posted by mlny

I wouldn't but only because I'm afraid it might be haunted! I'm a big baby like that.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Dh and I are looking at houses now and we love old houses. As long as its updated, absolutely!

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

I love old houses so much, but no I wouldn't buy one unless I had a ton of money to totally restore it.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

yep! Without a doubt! I think the materials used to build were better and the construction of them were much more solid. Of course, upgrades on electrical and plumbing come with the territory, but I would!

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Probably not, even though I love the charm, character and details of much older homes.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

The electrical definitely needs upgrading but it would be free, as my family owns an electric company. Kitchen is way outdated and just plain ugly so that would need updating. I *think* most everything else can be done over time.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Yes, if it was well kept up. A lot of the older houses are better made than the new ones - BUT - they have to have been maintained. So that really makes a difference. Have they maintained it nicely? Does it need a lot of work - or only upkeep? Our home is from 1928 and the one before 1938. I like the older homes - but again as I said - they have to have been maintained.

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

I love older homes, so I would buy if it was something I could handle. Things are going to start to need complete replacing...

Re: Would you buy a house over 100 years old?

Our house is circa 1890 and I We gutted it and modernized it completely. There is so much original detail and we tried to restore as much as we could. We even have a dumb waiter between floors! I really love it so much. 10ft ceilings throughout, gigantic windows and ample sunlight. Our only project left is our basement...and it is as old as the house. Once my vision comes through, we'll get it done. In the meantime, we have to replace the concrete which has buckled and cracked all over. First things first. So my answer is YES. If we ever sell, I'd only want an older house. I am very envious of houses older than ours!