As a home inspector I found this video very informative. The items mentioned are on the top of the list of the things I find in older homes. These homes were built when building codes were less stringent. Eventually all homeowners will have to upgrade their older home to keep them safe and functional. I liked how Shirley communicated in a very matter of fact manner with no obvious emotional tone. Very encouraging without a negative attitude. A pleasure to listen to.
My house is a Victorian style built in 1924. The character, beauty, and elegance of a house like this is just unmatched. From the original door knobs, to the original wood floors and wrap around porch. And the beautiful, old wood smell inside. I would not have it any other way.
This really helped me know what questions to ask our inspection agent. We're in the process of purchasing a home built in 1972 so this was SO helpful. Thank you so much for your insight!
Great video. If you have windows that don’t need to be opened for ventilation regularly you can put in either an exterior or interior storm window to basically make a double pane window. It’s just as energy efficient and maintains the character of the original windows. Also heavy thick curtains are great for keeping in heat or blocking out the sun. Sometimes you can also install a fan system that draws cold air from your basement or crawl space up through the house for a cooler home.
My home was built in 1940 with the original windows. I added storm/screen windows & by doing that they are just as efficient as newer replacement windows. Plus newer windows will never last as long as the originals. The old windows can be easily repaired.
My 1912 home had root intrusion into both sewer pipes (I have 2). One cost $2500 and the other $3200 to replace a section of each. not to mention the costs of all the plumbing visits we had having the pipes snaked out. Get it done right the first time. It saves you money in the long run.
I researched century old homes before watching this video as I was considering purchasing one. Wow, all the issues I read about, sounds like you experienced ALL of them. - knob and tube electrical and insurance refusing to cover it - the costly switchover to upgraded wiring - old plumbing vs pvc or copper plumbing - drafty single-pane windows without screens - age of water heater Sorry you had to go through that but I do appreciate you sharing. I’m wondering why a home inspection didn’t reveal all of this prior to purchasing? I’ve read you’d have to use a building inspector who specializes in century old homes so they know exactly what to look for. The list you mentioned seems to be common concerns with century old homes. That said I don’t know how easy it is to find a building inspector who specializes in century old homes.
I feel like I'm half way to a home inspector after dealing with all this. They covered knob and tube, but in terms of water pipes, the bath tub pipe couldn't even turn on during the home inspection and they wrote it off...only after did I realize it's probably from those old plumbing that's become narrow from years of use.
Great video. Also of note any home before 1968 will likely have lead paint (became illegal). When small children are sleeping close to the wall (most cribs and toddler beds) children in close contact and health issues can surface.
This is fearmongering. Lead based paint needs to be sanded, peeled or scratched off to pose a hazard. It doesn’t simply vaporize or offgas after decades, especially if it’s encapsulated under newer, non-lead paint
Not a big comment dude, but just wanted to thank you for the info. It was well laid out, to the point, and gave me numerous things to think about while house hunting around our old town
@@badeng4787Yes! A good inspector can even put a camera down the sewer line. Their Realtor should have been able to educate them on most of these items also! I would warn my client on any home with knob and tube wiring.
Plumbing 10-20k Sewer 10k-20k Electrical 10-20k water heater replacement-4k Earthquake proofing-no idea Double pane windows 20k She is lucky I would Add 25k -40k for water proofing and draining water around foundation and repair of foundation cracks.. especially if ure in water table…
I’m a Realtor right outside Memphis, Tn and I am shocked your Realtor didn’t educate you on these items. Plus, ALL BUYERS should have a home inspection. Especially on a 100 + year home but in reality every home. This is the reason Realtors are getting a bad name. A good agent is worth their fees, just make sure you hire a good one!
With a home this old I would get 2 general inspections and also get an electrician and plumbing specialist as well as general inspectors do not have the same scope of expertise. General inspectors can only see what the naked eye can see superficially plumbers and electricians can see further in those areas at least. Also foundations foundation foundation! Get those checked!!!
I am 14 years old. I’m no where near buying a house. Why do I find these videos so interesting 😂 I’ve watched like 4 videos about the costs of living in a old house over the past hour 😂
That’s is great! I am in the process of purchasing my first home, it is 83yrs old. Monday I was informed a have a portion of clay pipe that needs to be repaired & I also have knob n tube wiring that should be replaced. Idk what to do, I wanna buy this house but not if I have to repair everything the same year is purchased. I need to figure out how long it could last before these things need to be replaced. No way to know I guess. Do you have any updates on your home repairs? Thanks for the video
I want a Victorian house for my first house, they're so beautiful but houses that old are often a huge gamble and potential money pit, thank you for this and God bless my friend.
Your house is so cute and I love it's vibe. I can feel the positive ambience. I have been getting tired of all these completely gutted and renovated old home videos... When I was house hunting last summer It was my goal to get a Craftsman that wasn't all renovated but now, I am not sure if I like my old and musty and mildewy house. For a taste of what a virtually un-renovated Craftsman looks like inside (with the exception of the kitchen which was a very low budget remodel), I just posted an intro to my new-old house on my channel. I'm hoping to make a series about this house I just bought, but come prepared for low production values with a lot of authenticity. Hopefully, my video/editing skills will improve with more experience. I welcome any feedback about what to do with my house!. It was suppose to be my retirement dream house, but it's feeling a little bit like a nightmare.
I guess it is not right to say that a person should replace a water heater that is more than 12 years old. The one in my home was a 1984 unit with a pilot that must be lighted by actual flame. I was thinking about replacing it in 2019 when I bought the home.However, after I replaced the sacrificing node and checked the structure by using a small hammer to slightly tap the bottom of the tank, that thing was solid. It still functions perfectly today, then I asked one of my neibhor about the age of his water heater. Guess what, it is almost the same age. It is prudent to check the water heater every year if it is an old unit though.
I think it's pretty easy to become a licensed home inspector, and we just used Flyhome's in-house ones, who are both real estate agents and home inspectors. Definitely learned the lesson there.
@@shirleylane1057 I feel for ya, but thank you so much for helping me. I think karma will pay you back with positivity for sharing this information. It’s really helping me right now as I just started the process of buying an older home that I kinda just jumped into. I started escrow Monday and I didn’t even think about the topics you presented in your video. Thanks again!!!
What U wish you knew, BUT your REALTOR did not tell you! Because REALTORs are basically just out to make commission, and basically NOT worth 3% of the transaction. Real estate is Such a SCAM.
thank you for sharing. do you know if you are able to add screens to your windows to prevent the bugs from flying in? also, is it possible to replace the windows themselves with double panes? i have heard the windows are not standard sizes these days typically
I’m going to guess that you have not previously owned a house. I’ve owned four homes and have had most of the problems you have outlined. No sewer surprise! You have a cesspool. Knob and tube is okay but if you have it you should plan to replace it. Old circuit breaker’s such as pacific electric they don’t pop right away instead they buzz.
This was really helpful. My partner and I are looking at a 1952 home (also 2Bed 1 bath) to buy and we are in escrow. My partner and I are on the fence bc the house still needs some work like you mentioned. It might be too expensive of a house for us but we really want it. Thank you for mentioning price too.
As a home inspector I found this video very informative. The items mentioned are on the top of the list of the things I find in older homes. These homes were built when building codes were less stringent. Eventually all homeowners will have to upgrade their older home to keep them safe and functional. I liked how Shirley communicated in a very matter of fact manner with no obvious emotional tone. Very encouraging without a negative attitude. A pleasure to listen to.
I'm currently going through a home inspector course!
Not even halfway through the video and I had to hit the like button. Finally a detailed video on this topic.
My house is a Victorian style built in 1924. The character, beauty, and elegance of a house like this is just unmatched. From the original door knobs, to the original wood floors and wrap around porch. And the beautiful, old wood smell inside. I would not have it any other way.
Found this channel from keyboard reviews/comparisons and found great life advice. Thanks!
This really helped me know what questions to ask our inspection agent. We're in the process of purchasing a home built in 1972 so this was SO helpful. Thank you so much for your insight!
Great video. If you have windows that don’t need to be opened for ventilation regularly you can put in either an exterior or interior storm window to basically make a double pane window. It’s just as energy efficient and maintains the character of the original windows. Also heavy thick curtains are great for keeping in heat or blocking out the sun. Sometimes you can also install a fan system that draws cold air from your basement or crawl space up through the house for a cooler home.
Omg! I am looking at a 90 year old home. This is really informative 😅😅😅😅
My home was built in 1940 with the original windows. I added storm/screen windows & by doing that they are just as efficient as newer replacement windows. Plus newer windows will never last as long as the originals. The old windows can be easily repaired.
My 1912 home had root intrusion into both sewer pipes (I have 2). One cost $2500 and the other $3200 to replace a section of each. not to mention the costs of all the plumbing visits we had having the pipes snaked out. Get it done right the first time. It saves you money in the long run.
That’s a big expense. Ours did too- the sellers fixed it before we bought the house.
This was so helpful! We are looking at historic homes in our city. Thank you so much for sharing your lessons learned with us 🙏🏼😊💜
Honestly, you are so organized and did a perfect, succinct job at presenting each item in a simple way that was easy to understand, thank you!
Thank you! Hope you are enjoying your home after all those challenges!
Thank you for your tips! We’re looking into an older home in NYC and your lessons were very valuable!
Glad it was helpful!
I researched century old homes before watching this video as I was considering purchasing one. Wow, all the issues I read about, sounds like you experienced ALL of them.
- knob and tube electrical and insurance refusing to cover it
- the costly switchover to upgraded wiring
- old plumbing vs pvc or copper plumbing
- drafty single-pane windows without screens
- age of water heater
Sorry you had to go through that but I do appreciate you sharing. I’m wondering why a home inspection didn’t reveal all of this prior to purchasing? I’ve read you’d have to use a building inspector who specializes in century old homes so they know exactly what to look for.
The list you mentioned seems to be common concerns with century old homes. That said I don’t know how easy it is to find a building inspector who specializes in century old homes.
I feel like I'm half way to a home inspector after dealing with all this. They covered knob and tube, but in terms of water pipes, the bath tub pipe couldn't even turn on during the home inspection and they wrote it off...only after did I realize it's probably from those old plumbing that's become narrow from years of use.
Great video. Also of note any home before 1968 will likely have lead paint (became illegal). When small children are sleeping close to the wall (most cribs and toddler beds) children in close contact and health issues can surface.
Thank you Matt! Added to my list of things to check!!
Can this be painted over?
This is fearmongering. Lead based paint needs to be sanded, peeled or scratched off to pose a hazard. It doesn’t simply vaporize or offgas after decades, especially if it’s encapsulated under newer, non-lead paint
Not a big comment dude, but just wanted to thank you for the info. It was well laid out, to the point, and gave me numerous things to think about while house hunting around our old town
Thank you Matthew, that means alot! I hope you find the home of your dreams!
@@shirleylane1057 As it happens, we found a wonderful 1887 victorian, were closing on Monday!
Wow, this was amazing. I’m thinking about buying a home next year and this helped a lot. Incredible amount of information. Thank you‼️
ALWAYS have a home inspection done before purchasing ANY house
Do home inspection tell you all the issue from pipes to electrical?
@@badeng4787Yes! A good inspector can even put a camera down the sewer line. Their Realtor should have been able to educate them on most of these items also! I would warn my client on any home with knob and tube wiring.
Thank you! We’re looking at a 145 year old home.
There are beautiful views from the windows
Really helpful information! As a prospective first time homebuyer of an older home, this is a good reminder that I need to do some more research.
You are so welcome! Good luck in your house hunt!!
Great video! I used to live in a century old building that had many of the problems you covered
Very informative! Thanks for sharing your insights on how to buy an old house. 👍
Amazing Job Shirley ! Great Content
Glad I kept searching the topic and came across your video!
Nice rundown, thanks for sharing… very helpful!
Plumbing 10-20k
Sewer 10k-20k
Electrical 10-20k
water heater replacement-4k
Earthquake proofing-no idea
Double pane windows 20k
She is lucky I would Add 25k -40k for water proofing and draining water around foundation and repair of foundation cracks.. especially if ure in water table…
Love this video and your channel! We are looking to buy an home but the older ones just have too much risk for us, Your home is gorgeous though!
Thank you! I've become a handy-woman, from repairing steps to cleaning gutters and fixing dryers!
I’m a Realtor right outside Memphis, Tn and I am shocked your Realtor didn’t educate you on these items. Plus, ALL BUYERS should have a home inspection. Especially on a 100 + year home but in reality every home. This is the reason Realtors are getting a bad name. A good agent is worth their fees, just make sure you hire a good one!
I would dare say having 2 inspectors take a look if it’s a very old house!
You’ve taught me so much!
Super informative thank you! Especially since most of the homes here in Seattle are 100+ 😂
Thanks Shirley, I'm looking into buying a house 110 years old. LOL Thanks for the headsup!!
Best of luck!
Great video, but a $500 home inspection would have had ALL that info and put in the report! DONT SKIP THE HOME INSPECTION!!!!!!
With a home this old I would get 2 general inspections and also get an electrician and plumbing specialist as well as general inspectors do not have the same scope of expertise. General inspectors can only see what the naked eye can see superficially plumbers and electricians can see further in those areas at least. Also foundations foundation foundation! Get those checked!!!
I am 14 years old. I’m no where near buying a house. Why do I find these videos so interesting 😂 I’ve watched like 4 videos about the costs of living in a old house over the past hour 😂
You'll be prepared for when you are close!
thanks for sharing this very important video. life saving video. I made same mistake. Now we will follow.
This is great. Thank you so much !!!
That’s is great! I am in the process of purchasing my first home, it is 83yrs old. Monday I was informed a have a portion of clay pipe that needs to be repaired & I also have knob n tube wiring that should be replaced.
Idk what to do, I wanna buy this house but not if I have to repair everything the same year is purchased.
I need to figure out how long it could last before these things need to be replaced. No way to know I guess.
Do you have any updates on your home repairs?
Thanks for the video
But hey the walls are painted nice so it looks good?
I want a Victorian house for my first house, they're so beautiful but houses that old are often a huge gamble and potential money pit, thank you for this and God bless my friend.
I totally agree, they're gorgeous. Good luck with your search!
Very informative, thank you so much!
Your house is so cute and I love it's vibe. I can feel the positive ambience. I have been getting tired of all these completely gutted and renovated old home videos... When I was house hunting last summer It was my goal to get a Craftsman that wasn't all renovated but now, I am not sure if I like my old and musty and mildewy house. For a taste of what a virtually un-renovated Craftsman looks like inside (with the exception of the kitchen which was a very low budget remodel), I just posted an intro to my new-old house on my channel. I'm hoping to make a series about this house I just bought, but come prepared for low production values with a lot of authenticity. Hopefully, my video/editing skills will improve with more experience. I welcome any feedback about what to do with my house!. It was suppose to be my retirement dream house, but it's feeling a little bit like a nightmare.
Thank you
I guess it is not right to say that a person should replace a water heater that is more than 12 years old. The one in my home was a 1984 unit with a pilot that must be lighted by actual flame. I was thinking about replacing it in 2019 when I bought the home.However, after I replaced the sacrificing node and checked the structure by using a small hammer to slightly tap the bottom of the tank, that thing was solid. It still functions perfectly today, then I asked one of my neibhor about the age of his water heater. Guess what, it is almost the same age. It is prudent to check the water heater every year if it is an old unit though.
What a great job
this helped me. Liked
Great video, helped a lot!
Thank u❤
You can double those prices only 3 years later
How do you mean double! Appreciation? Or more cost down the road?
Thank you!!
weird. does inspection reports in washington state not show you how old the appliances are?
Wow, thanks for telling us!
Did your home inspector check anything? hahaha
I think it's pretty easy to become a licensed home inspector, and we just used Flyhome's in-house ones, who are both real estate agents and home inspectors. Definitely learned the lesson there.
@@shirleylane1057 I feel for ya, but thank you so much for helping me. I think karma will pay you back with positivity for sharing this information. It’s really helping me right now as I just started the process of buying an older home that I kinda just jumped into. I started escrow Monday and I didn’t even think about the topics you presented in your video. Thanks again!!!
What U wish you knew, BUT your REALTOR did not tell you! Because REALTORs are basically just out to make commission, and basically NOT worth 3% of the transaction. Real estate is Such a SCAM.
thank you for this video.
thank you for sharing. do you know if you are able to add screens to your windows to prevent the bugs from flying in? also, is it possible to replace the windows themselves with double panes? i have heard the windows are not standard sizes these days typically
lol cost to replumb a 2br was only 8k, I imagine that would be far far more now.
Hold on. So your real estate agent and house inspector did not tell you this? I wander if they were working as a tag team to just sell you the home.
This was very helpful
ty, i am going to see a (almost ) 100 year old home today
I’m going to guess that you have not previously owned a house.
I’ve owned four homes and have had most of the problems you have outlined. No sewer surprise! You have a cesspool.
Knob and tube is okay but if you have it you should plan to replace it.
Old circuit breaker’s such as pacific electric they don’t pop right away instead they buzz.
This was really helpful. My partner and I are looking at a 1952 home (also 2Bed 1 bath) to buy and we are in escrow. My partner and I are on the fence bc the house still needs some work like you mentioned. It might be too expensive of a house for us but we really want it. Thank you for mentioning price too.
Never knew a bad worn out water heater would cause a flood
what about ghosts?
keep the old windows! Biggest part of the charm and they'll last forever if maintained
Pex plumbing is terrible. It leaches out petroleum chemicals. Not something you want. Copper is best.
You have unsafe, choke hazard window shade cord that should be updated.
Need a mic