questions to ask seller/realtor of house built in 1880s

[Manahmanah]

We are going to look at a property that checks all my requirements boxes for our future farmette. A good amount of acreage already cleared and flat, price is right, house is a decent size and looks liveable from the pictures (IE: we would not immediately have to renovate but could do so later for cosmetic reasons)

My one concern is that it’s old. My other concern is that it is in a “wet” area, but we’ve had torrential rains every day for weeks now so it will be a good indicator of how wet the land is / if the basement turns into a swimming pool.

I am trying to come up with a list of questions for the realtor. FIL is a licensed electrician who will be coming with us so we have our bases covered there, he will know what to look for.

The list I’ve come up with so far:

How old is the roof/is under any sort of warranty
How old is heating system
“” water heater
“” septic / service schedule / last serviced
" windows / when replaced
Assuming a house built in 1880 didn’t have insulation up to current standards, what (if anything) has been added/blown in and when

What else should I be checking for / asking? I feel like I must be forgetting a lot of things. I know there have been a lot of threads like this before and i have read them (this is where i came up with the list). Thanks COTH!!!

[Draftygirl]

One thing in particular to consider in pre-1930 homes is that back then they used lead pipes to carry the water in from the source. So if the home has a lead pipe you should have the water tested to make sure it’s safe.

Good luck!

[Red_Barn]

My house was built in 1835. I adore old houses, and always have. I’ve never lived in a new house, and probably never will.

None of the stuff on your list would be original to the house anyway, so I’d treat those items just like those in any other house.

What I would do is study up on historic houses generally, and bring in somebody who knows about them to inspect it for you. They’d recognize termites and crappy sills and any of the other problems that a person looks for in old houses.

I, personally, wouldn’t trust the realtor to answer questions. S/he may be a perfectly splendid person, but what you really need is an old house expert with no vested interest in selling you something.

[DHCarrotfeeder]

I would bring in a trusted contractor to make these assessments. Unless a major renovation was completed in the last few years, I don’t expect any kind of warranty.

Another option is to pay a home inspector out-of-pocket before making an offer. I did that once and the $400 fee saved me from financial disaster.

David

[Red_Barn]

[QUOTE=DHCarrotfeeder;8202649]
Another option is to pay a home inspector out-of-pocket before making an offer. I did that once and the $400 fee saved me from financial disaster.[/QUOTE]
I agree.

Both my father and my partner are pretty smart about old houses, but I hired an inspector with special expertise in the historic houses of the area because I wanted to know as much about the house as I could. He told me lots of fascinating things that I would never have known otherwise. For example, he was able to date the house much more exactly than the realtor could, because he was able to tell which sawmill milled the boards in the attic.

Owning an old house can really be a wonderful and exciting thing. I hope your place works out for you.

[sascha]

If the windows haven’t been replaced, PLEASE look into having them properly repaired. Not only will it suit the house better, but properly repaired wooden windows are as efficient as brand new windows. You’ll never get the savings out of new windows that the window companies tell you you’re going to get.

Hope it “vets” out and you love living in an antique as much as I do Good luck!

[Janet]

[QUOTE=Red Barn;8202636]
None of the stuff on your list would be original to the house anyway, so I’d treat those items just like those in any other house.[/QUOTE]

I would not count on that.

When we sold (in 2010) my fathers house (built in 1902, he/we had lived there since 1965) the only things listed that had been replaced were the roof and the water heater. There was new wiring in the kitchen and the workshop, but not the rest of the house.

In addition to the things you listed, check on the plumbing - not just lead, but leaks.

Also the well- has it ever run dry?

[red_mares]

I would ask if there were any preservation boards that you had to keep happy. Not as likely with a farm house as an old house in a historic district, but not impossible.

[msj]

How about checking if there has been a home energy audit? That will tell you a lot about air flow (too much or too little). Also how ‘tight’ your house is.

Also, what are the last few yrs of utility bills?

The others are right though that a realtor probably can’t answer the initial questions on your list but a good contractor should or probably even a home inspector.

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=Manahmanah;8202543]
What else should I be checking for / asking? I feel like I must be forgetting a lot of things. I know there have been a lot of threads like this before and i have read them (this is where i came up with the list). Thanks COTH!!![/QUOTE]

The first thing that comes to my CoTH mind is:
“just how haunted is it?”
“do the spirits come with it or are they an extra charge?”

Speaking as the happy resident of a pre 1850 house…

[SomedaySoon]

All good questions to ask the realtor, but I wouldn’t actually rely on him/her for accurate answers. As others said, an home inspector hired by you is your best insurance. They will be able to tell if big ticket items are OK, like the sill and the foundation. And definitely spring for a well test–flow rate and capacity as well as quality. Past utility bills are a good indicator if they’ll share them and they were full-time occupants. I’d also look into flooding, drainage and runoff. Good luck!

[Icon_SH]

As already suggested…go with a knowledgeable inspector who knows historical houses…something no on you list…are there fireplaces? Make sure those are inspected well…I would recommend a chimney sweep! Do you have well water or city? And do check out the plumbing. The stories i could tell of the findings in my old house when I did start renovations. But that was also the best time i’ve ever had!

My house is dated 1860 and could not imagine living anywhere else. Just get the knowledge base needed with inspectors, etc to ensure you’re not falling into a money pit…then know that there will ALWAYS be something that needs to be fixed!

[ReSomething]

I have an opinion that I will keep to myself about buying a period home and putting in replacement vinyl windows.

Please get a contractor experienced in renovations of that age bracket home to go over the systems with you. Yes the foundations may sag, yes the cellar may be dirt, some of this may matter and some may be something that can be lived with for quite some time.
For modern living electric is the biggest change. We use a lot more water than our ancestors did. Lead pipes need to go, and if the house has been renovated or added onto before there may be some pretty strange things going on that you might not like.

But this will be a unique home with period pieces that are unreproduceable at this time, the lumber being from trees that are no longer growing the same size or character before being felled.

[jawa]

Check for asbestos and lead paint. As well as the mirad of other questions folks have suggested.

My dad and step mother bought a home and had it placed as a National Landmark. I helped with the renovationsmofmthat house from aged 10-14. The LAYERS of paint, wallpaper, paint, paint, wallpaper, wallpaper and paint that had to be removed from 10 rooms was a HUGE job. The goal was to get down to the original plaster.

I bought a house that was built in the early 1900’s years ago and was involved with all of the demo. And was a “helper” for the electrical, plumbing, insulation and sheet rock work.

Both homes needed major upgrading to: heating and air systems, electrical, plumbing, insulation, and the windows needed lots of TLC.

[amb]

A lot of houses of that vintage near me have spent time either vacant or as seasonal residences, which means the basement got hideously damp, which leads to rot problems. Poke around at the wood above you in the corners of the basement. (Though any decent house inspector will do this.) Make sure the water supply is actually adequately winterized for year-round use, too.

Do ask the seller’s agent about stuff, but don’t actually believe anything you’re told if it matters. “Oh, I had no idea!” is such a common refrain.

Not really a house issue per se, but if the property is that old, find out where the property lines really are and if there’s a modern survey. It’s often a surprise to everybody concerned, and reading the property descriptions on old rural deeds can be an art form to start with.

On the other hand, don’t get too worked up about all of the online house-buying advice aimed at suburban recent construction that’s obsessed with appliances and warranties and everything being just so. Have a little slack, and be willing to deal with some imperfections.

[Manahmanah]

This one is a vacation residence so I may not get accurate energy bills. A an airflow audit is a fantastic idea.

It’s really strange, the house doesn’t at all look like it was built in the 1880s. It has vinyl crank windows and ugly vinyl siding and more modern wood floors, not the wide plank I would expect to see in a house of this age. This is all from pictures I haven’t seen it yet… will see this weekend. Either the pictures shown are of an expansion that happened in the 60s/70s (ish?) Or the house had a major renovation at that time.

There is ugly vinyl flooring stuck over wood… I have fixed this before already when someone put tarpaper over a beautiful wood floor. A lot of quality time with a blow torch and and a tile scraper, some patching and sanding we were back in business.

There are so many great suggestions already and thank you to everyone who took the time to drop in with some advice!! More tips are certainly welcome, this is my first home purchase. I’m no stranger to renovations though, I lived in a house that was constantly under renovations growing up and helped my brother restore his early 1900s house as well, so I do have a good idea of what I might be getting into…

[tpup]

Airflow audits can be a huge waste of money and a scam. People spend hundreds for them to see where air might be seeping through and the audit shows small items that can and do add up, but energy is wasted TRIPLE when someone simply leaves the fridge door open or front door open bringing groceries in! The audit doesn’t show that! Instead of auditing just be smart about making sure things are caulked, sealed etc. Also, you can still try to find out utilities in the past from the owner even if it was a vacation rental.

Absolutely get a GOOD, thorough home inspection and be sure you have contingencies in place to protect you if you find ANY deal breakers.

In some states, hauntings, spirits and even prior crimes/murders do not have to be disclosed. Check your state laws.

[ReSomething]

I recall two painted ladies that were given a 1965 makeover and about the only thing left was the little mansard roofs. Ugh. Stucco and aluminum sliders. Well, only you can tell if you will be able to stand it, but late 60’s and on were one of the least architecturally redeeming periods for standard architecture IMO.

Mid Century modern would be one thing but lets hope the glue comes off and they just covered up instead of tearing out the period woodwork.

[Draftygirl]

[QUOTE=SmartAlex;8202846]
The first thing that comes to my CoTH mind is:
“just how haunted is it?”
“do the spirits come with it or are they an extra charge?”

Speaking as the happy resident of a pre 1850 house…[/QUOTE]

When I bought my 19th century farmhouse late last year I asked the wife/seller if there were any ghosts and she took offense!! I thought it was a perfectly reasonable and valid inquiry. This happened during the house inspection (which I want to chime in with the others and heartily recommend you do as well), and after the seller left the inspection man told me he totally agreed it was an excellent question.

Also, whether it’s this property or another one you look at, you’ll want to get a septic inspection and well inspection. Those are two different inspectors. I paid for the well inspection, which wasn’t very much at all, and the seller paid for the septic.

[GoForAGallop]

Gut instinct: 1880’s isn’t old, mine’s got 100 years on that! :lol:

That being said…don’t bother asking the realtor anything. (And your questions are questions you should be asking of ANY age house, btw, except from a basically new build.) They don’t know, they don’t really care to know. I 19th everyone who has said if you like it, get an inspector out.

For some reason, in my area, something about the hideous 60’s/70’s interior design really inspired everyone to redo their gorgeous older homes. Outsides are usually untouched, but lots of gross vinyl flooring and such on the inside…over lovely wide plank wood floors! This is a great thing for buyers on a budget who have the time to put in a little sweat equity…you can end up with a really gorgeous home just by peeling back gross wallpaper and flooring. Glad that doesn’t scare you.