Did you know the number one cause of damage in an older home is water? It's true. And, gutters and downspouts are the leading cause of water damage. So, if you're thinking of purchasing an older home in the Glenview area, check the gutters and downspouts. If they're plugged-up or coming loose from the house, be aware that this can cause water to overflow and wind up rotting trim boards and gaining entrance to the home.
Water damage can also happen on the lower parts of a house. As a home ages, the earth around it naturally settles allowing rain or irrigation water to run towards the home's foundation. The porous stone foundations that many older homes have can't repel ground water sufficiently and problems can arise.
Outdated electrical systems in homes over 40-years-old are also something you'll want to watch out for. Back in the day, when homes didn't use all the electrical appliances and gadgets that they do today, lower amperages were sufficient. Today's homes, however, need AT LEAST a 100-amp system. If you see a 60-amp fuse box in a home you're thinking of buying, you should probably be prepared to lay out some money for upgraded home wiring if you purchase that house.
Other clues that the electrical system is insufficient and probably downright dangerous are lots of extension cords and plug adapters in use, burn marks around switches and outlets, and rooms with no outlets in them at all. Also, check to see if there is aluminum wiring in place which is a fire hazard and no longer used for home wiring. A home with these problems could very likely need a whole new electrical system to bring it up to modern standards, and this can be very expensive.
While it's good to look for these things yourself as you shop for a new home, it also emphasizes the fact that when you decide on the home you want to purchase, getting a home inspection from a certified home inspector is the best way to protect yourself against problems that could turn your dream home into a money pit.
If you're planning on buying a home in the Glenview, Wilmette, Northbrook, or North Shore area, give the Marla Schneider Team a call today at 847-657-3790 or contact us online. We are area real estate experts and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it meets all of today's high-quality building standards and codes.
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