Here’s What To Expect When Buying An Older Broward County Home
Older Broward County homes offer potential home buyers aesthetically appealing facades and much sturdier construction than what you find in more modern structures.
However, a professional home inspection of that charming home might just reveal a number of issues that it’s hiding and will have you wishing that you’d rented instead. As a prospective home buyer, here are 5 structural and system issues that you may have to contend with:
Asbestos – from the early to middle years of the 20th century, asbestos was commonly used as a fire retardant. Unfortunately, it will burn as the fibers break down over time. Even more disconcerting is the fact that the microscopic fibers of asbestos are easily inhaled and can get lodged in a person’s lungs, eventually causing mesothelioma.
Electrical issues and outdated wiring – only the most basic electrical systems were required in mid-20th century homes. Homes predating that time were often constructed with no electrical outlets or wiring and when they were, it was a mere patchwork of outdated materials and systems. You might want to prepare yourself for this expense if you feel you can’t live without the home you and your spouse have fallen in love with.
Lead paint – the older your home is, the greater the likelihood that it was painted using lead-based materials. It wasn’t until 1978 that the Federal Government banned the use of lead-based paint in new home construction. So, if your home is older than that, you can be assured that lead-based paint was used when it was first built. It is important to get that removed at the earliest so that
Little or no insulation – energy was cheap prior to the 1970’s. Consequently, most homes that were built prior to this decade were done so with very little, if any insulation. In most cases, balled up newspapers and cloth strips were used. Suffice it to say, these won’t prevent cool or warm air from escaping your home.
Old drainage systems and plumbing – cast iron drains and pipes were commonly part of the home construction industry during the middle of the 20th century. Builders and contractors of that time considered these materials indestructible, ignoring the fact that certain things tend to age and decay. You may have rust damage to contend with as well.
Although there are a few factors to content with, but the charm of old homes is everlasting. If you’re a Broward County homeowner or in the market for an older home in that area, contact Florida Inspections Unlimited at 954-861-0666 and schedule a professional home inspection to learn more about these issues that are common in older structures.