4 Common Problems of a Vintage Home

Their charm is undeniable. Their beauty unmatched. But much like that gorgeous woman in the corner bar, the attractive qualities of a vintage home could be hiding more headaches and costly issues than you are prepared to deal with. Know what you’re getting into by taking your time and doing your due diligence before committing to any long-term relationship – with either the house or the girl.

Vintage homes in Denver are highly sought-after for their unique qualities and their enduring charm. But there are major things that all potential home buyers must be aware of before closing the deal. As your home inspection professionals in Aurora, we always look for these problems that are common to older and historical homes:

• Termites and other bugs. It is a widespread myth that termites don’t or can’t exist in the Denver area. They can and they do. Where our climate does keep them to a minimum, termites can be an issue in areas below 7500 feet in elevation. Termites are big fans of softer wood so if an older home has had recurring issues with water leakage over the years, look more than once for evidence of termites in those areas.
• Lead paint. A majority of homes built before 1978 were painted with lead paint. Testing and mitigating any existing and peeling lead paint is essential in protecting the health of both you and your family.
• Foundation and structural issues. Where foundation issues with any house should be fully and completely analyzed before investment, older homes in certain areas can present higher than average issues. Where these issues are sometimes normal, as with the “settling” of any house, it is important to know just what signs or cracks are a warning of a less-than-firm foundation.
• Outdated electrical wiring. If the vintage home you are considering has been renovated in recent years, it is likely, though not guaranteed that the home’s electrical has also been updated. If not, it is likely that the home will need to be re-wired. A qualified home inspector in Aurora will be able to tell you if the wiring in the home in question is safe and functional or needing to be replaced.