In most cities there are homes being sold that are over 50 years old. Because of there age there alot of homes that may still have dangerous materials and/or old mechanical systems in place. Some of these dangers are as follows.
Lead Paint: In most older homes built before 1978 there is a chance that lead based paint was used at one time. Chances are it will have been painted over and will no longer pose a threat. You will however want to have a lead based paint test done to be aware of its presence and also be aware of the potential danget to children or animals who may ingest paint chips.Outdated electrical systems is a very common problem in older homes. These outdated electrical systems have a lot of problems handling the electrical loads that are placed on them and because everything is so outdated, this is a very high cause of electrical home fires. If you purchase an older home, you should have the electrical inspected by a licensed electrician.
Many older homes still have asbestos siding. Asbestos siding is usually not a problem, because in many instances it can be sided over. Keep in mind that if you plan to have it replaced, most municipalities require it to be professionally removed.
When purchasing an older home, inspection by a competent home inspector and/or structural engineer is very important. Check the sills for termite or carpenter ant damage. Have the foundation checked for cracks. Have the sewage system checked for potential clogs or failures.
Mold is a huge problem in older homes as well. You probably wil not be able to see it, but there are companies that can come in and check the interior walls for mold. Mold can cause several severe health issues, so if you think that there may be a chance of mold you should have it looked at.
To ensure that your home is the most energy efficient that it can be, you should consider replacng the windows in an older home. This combined with a newer energy efficient heating and cooling system will ensure that your utility bills will be the lowest possible amount.
Older homes generally require more energy to keep warm this is due to inferior or lack of insulation in the walls. Although not a physical hazard it can definitely be a financial hazard.If you live in a colder climate you may want to invest in adding insulation or adding better insulation to your older homes walls.
Also, Insurance on older homes could be an issue. Make sure you have at least 2 quotes from reputable insurance companies to determine in advance what coverage is available.
