questions_to_ask_when_buying_an_older_home_3000Whether the Jacksonville home of your dreams is 10 or 50 years old, there are a variety of issues that you will need to deal with when purchasing a home that is not brand new.

Maintenance Costs

Have a qualified home inspector check out of the major areas of the house, including the plumbing, the heating and cooling, the windows, the roof and the major appliances.

Ask the sellers to provide a list of repairs and modifications that have previously been made to these areas of the home and the dates on which they were made. Also ask the owners to estimate the age of these things.

It is with this information that you can make a more informed decision regarding the sale price of the Jacksonville property. These major areas of the home are generally very costly to replace and being slammed with a $4,000 bill to replace your dying furnace is usually not a welcome sight right after you move in.

Heating and Cooling Bills

You will also likely want to ask the sellers for heating and cooling bills so you can get an idea of how efficient the home is and how much it will cost to heat and cool the house throughout the year. This information can also prove to be extremely useful when budgeting how much you can afford to pay for the home.

Hazardous Chemicals

If the home was built before 1978, it is also important to have a home inspection to find out if there are any hazardous chemicals, such as lead and asbestos, in the home. The cost of removing lead paint or asbestos insulation can be astronomical.

Finally, find out through a good home inspector if the home is up to modern building codes. This is also an area that could cost you a lot of money should you decide to remodel or renovate.

Posted by Carey Frankel on

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