Checklist for buying an old home

JIM OSCAR

we are going to buy our first house in Dublin . Just viewing houses around . so what questions do we have to ask or Checklist for buying an old home ?

riclad

You,ll probably need to get a full survey done.
Look for cracks in walls ,ceilings,
ONE cracked roof tile can cause a bad leak into the walls,attic ,
which may not be visible ,unless you go up into the attic .
Water tank may need replacing,
how old is the electric wiring,
it may need a complete rewiring.
DO not assume the heating ,boiler is working .
Some old houses have very little insulation.
some old houses have lead pipe ,water pipe going in ,this will need to be replaced .
dont pay for survey unless your offer is accepted.
is there a cover over the water tank.
most old houses need 4-6 tiles that need replacing .
how is the roof acessed ,
is there acess by an attic window .
ARE the roof gutters clean ,or full of leaves .
Are the boundarys at all sides clearly documented on all sides of the house,garden.

The_Conductor

I'd agree with Riclad- you will *need* a full survey.
Don't get hung up on cracks etc though- every building has them- it doesn't necessarily mean its shifting or the foundations are poor (etc etc).

If/when you find someplace you like- get a complete survey done at that stage. Its quite usual to get a report back which may run to several pages, of 'issues' that need to be resolved. You either accept the list- purchase the property- and use it as a shopping list in order of priorities for repairs/rehabilitation work over the next few years (focusing on the minimum to make the building habitable in the first instance).

If the house is a reasonable price- but has a list of works associated with it- it will still sell. If you try to play hardball over the survey- it may cost you the property. Be realistic.

riclad

A full structural survey will give a list of all faults and repairs needed ,
eg dry rot,rising damp etc,
and will give an estimate of the full cost of repairs ,
eg when i say cracks i mean cracks in stone or brick walls ,
which will need to be filled in.
Check windows ,can they be opened ,closed .if the windows are old wood type frames .victorian type single pane windows ,
eg not double glazed windows .
Those windows often need new ropes fitted inside the frames ,
as the ropes break after say 20 years use.