How handy are you really? Many prospective home buyers start out looking for a bargain. There are a lot of homes in the market that are good values. There are also some that have had significant deferred maintenance over many years. These homes are usually priced below what they would sell for if they were in good condition.
If the location of the bargain priced home is good and all that is needed is cosmetic repairs such as new paint and carpet, prospective home buyers can get a head start on building equity in their home purchase.
The real key is knowing for sure what you are buying. Unless you are an expert in construction, it is a good idea to get an inspection of the proposed purchase. Inspectors are trained to look at homes in great detail. The inspection reports are designed to uncover any potential problems that may come up. If you suspect that the foundation may be moving or shirting, it would be wise to have an engineering report done on the structure. The greater Tomball area has a few active fault lines, and houses built along fault lines may do interesting and expensive things. An engineering report costs a couple of hundred dollars, but is cheap insurance against making a bad purchase decision.
Another possible major expense involves termites and other wood destroying insects. The fact that these little critters can work undetected for many years makes the damage they do vicious. In this climate it is very unwise not to have a termite inspection on any purchase.
Bad wiring is a potential for fires, so wiring should be checked carefully, Plumbing is another thing that is expensive to repair, so it should be checked by a qualified inspector. Roofing and insulation are major expenses, and the heat and duct work for the air conditioning are also areas to have carefully examined. Asbestos and lead based paint are things you will find in homes prior to 1978. You will need to determine if they present a hazard for your situation.
Please bear in mind that the inspectors will be examining the house according to the building standards of today. Building techniques have changed a lot over the years. What worked well in 1930 may still be working fine, but is not modern technology. You need to remember that you are not buying a new home. Ask the inspector questions about areas of concern on the report. The 1930s house has stood many tests of time, so you need to think out how important the codes of today are in each situation it does not meet.
Other questions you should be asking your inspector is what repairs might be necessary for your life style and what they may cost. You need to honestly evaluate the time and money you have to spend on a project. You also need to decide if you can stand to live with the house as it is now until you an make the desired changes.
There are charming bargains and lots of gems in the rough out there for buyers with vision, time, money and carpentry skills. Look at the entire picture before you buy the neglected or older home. The rewards can be great for restoring a home. For antique lovers, it is a guaranteed way to recapture the flavor of yesterday. Just be sure that is the flavor you are really desiring.
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