If you like vintage, than you’ll love the appeal of a restored heritage home. A place that upholds the personality and character of the past, but is renovated to keep up with a lifestyle of today. There are a lot of people who are drawn towards the historical magic that makes these homes charming. Whether it’s the construction, or the detailed finishing, what’s not to love about the piece of the past that has been so perfectly preserved? But before you slice of a piece of history for yourself, there is a lot to consider when buying a heritage or character property. The idea isn’t to deter you from the decision, but just to help you understand what you’re taking on. If you know what to look out for, you’ll be better equipped to make the best decision.
 
Electrical Issues – If the home has been renovated, it’s likely that is originally had knob and tube wiring. ‘Knob and tube’ wiring was commonly used several years ago, but is considered unsafe by modern standards.  You’ll typically find abandoned ‘knob and tube’ wiring in the attic, above suspended tile ceilings, crawl spaces and basements. Check to see if all renovations were done with permits and inspected properly. You’ll be able to find out if there are still hidden junction boxes and possibly live wires that may have been left there, which can be potential fire hazards.  A good home inspector can locate all accessible outlets and test the wires to see if they are safe and grounded or not. It’s necessary to know that older homes have antique electrical systems that need to be upgraded for safety to obtain home insurance and provide adequate service to meet the needs of a modern home.
 
Health & Environmental Issues – Homes built in many years ago, used a durable, inexpensive and versatile building material known as asbestos. It was used in areas including plaster walls and ceilings, floors, insulation around pipes, duct-work, attic/wall insulation and exterior siding materials. If the heritage home has not been renovated, and you plan to do so, expect to call in an environmental company at some point to test these materials.  Exposure to disturbed asbestos has proven to cause cancer in some people. If left undisturbed, it is much less of an issue. Be sure to do some research on what has and has not been done to the home. Be prepared to invest in making the home safe from hazardous materials. Many of the older homes were heated by oil as the fuel source. Some of these homes have tanks buried in the yard, or in some cases below the home for several years. If not removed in time, they will eventually leak, causing environmental problems. Removing these oil tanks can be expensive, so you need to find out about this. Ask the current homeowners about this. See if you can get them to produce a report stating that it has been removed… or that the property was tested and cleared.
 
Energy Loss/ Heating Costs – Character homes will always have several small openings, which allow more air movement throughout the house, resulting in higher heating costs today. The upside however, is that the wood in the structure was better able to dry after it became wet. You can have this checked out by getting an energy audit. Follow their recommendations for improvements, which will help you save on energy costs. See if the previous owners have added insulation in areas like exterior walls, and the attic.
 
Drainage & Waterproofing Problems – Many older homes do not have effective drain systems suited for our modern living requirements. Older pipes eventually corrode from the inside, tree roots can damage or block the pipes and the clay tiles often come apart. Older basement floors were designed to slope to one corner because they expected seepage. This is why many of the basement floors are not level. Without question, you absolutely must have a functional drainage system. For your peace of mind, it’s important to call in a drainage company to conduct a proper check. You will also want to ensure that a waterproof membrane is in place. Drainage and waterproofing upgrades can be expensive, but these systems are critical, especially if you live in areas where there is a lot of rain. Avoid crumbling foundations caused by water erosion and leaking basements resulting from lack of waterproofing. It’s also necessary to check all foundation walls for vertical cracks. When left unchecked, they can allow water to seep into the basement. You’ll want have them repaired or check by a structural engineer, especially if they are wider than 1/2 an inch.
 
Exterior Maintenance/Upgrades – Character homes, especially the ones with wood siding will require regular maintenance to keep them in good shape. Expect to have the siding maintained, possibly every year with water proof, mildew resistant paint. Keep all vegetation at least one foot away from the home to reduce moisture from accumulating against the exterior. Have all areas around doors and windows upgraded with flashings. (Flashing is a weatherproofing protective material designed to redirect water away for the interior structure)
 
Unsafe Chimneys – Many older homes do not have safe chimneys. Over the years, neglected chimneys may develop cracks in the mortar between the bricks. When this happens, the chimney becomes a safety hazard. Have the chimney inspected from every angle, look for cracks or broken bricks. Check the areas where the chimney is attached to the side of the home. You’ll be looking for large gaps, which will need to be examined for moisture seepage in order to have them repaired. You’ll also need to take a look at the base to the top to see if it is leaning away from the home. A leaning chimney is a clue to possible structural issues.
 
Taking on a heritage home can come with a lot of novelty. Aged property has a lot more character, and the unique home offers its owners a remarkable place to live. Knowing what you are getting into is more important than the home itself. Once inspected, renovated and upgraded to facilitate a modern lifestyle, a heritage home is a wonderful investment, not just for its property value, but its value to history. If you’ve ever visited a heritage home, you’ll fall in love instantly. It offers a distinctive appeal which is hard to resist, to anyone who appreciates classical living.
 
If you’re thinking of buying an older home, and are pulled in with its vintage appeal, I would be to help you look into it before you make the investment. Give me a call, and we can help find you a home that you’ll love to live in – without having the headache of running into problems with its upgrades and upkeep.
 
Bill