May need more than just heat! Old houses can be money pits, especially, if like me, you aren't talented to do the work yourself. Wells, septic, roof etc are big dollar projects and around here, you can't just "fix" problems, you have to bring them to current code. Living in a house built in 1860's, there was little built to what is considered modern "code" and over the years with different previous owners, all kinds of things happened without permits. I LOVE my home but unless you REALLY know what to look for, it can cost you in the future.
Examples:
- Our septic tank was UNDER the addition that was built in the 1980's, with access riser complete with a 3qt aluminum pot in concrete.
- Our "gray" water from the washer goes into a PVC pipe that seems to go no where, not a proper leach field with laterals.
- Our roof was supposedly "new" but was slate still in some places with 2-3 layers of asphalt on top.
- Never thought much of it but when your doors/windows are all different sizes (even windows in the same room) it makes it expensive to replace-non standard sizes- or reframe to be standard. Fans/AC units aren't an option if they crank out either.
We were given all sorts of "certifications" when we bought our home but found out they were all fake. Even the house inspector was paid off and did time for the crap he pulled on unsuspecting buyers. The previous owner did so much shady stuff he lives in Sweden now.
Oh, and insulation, unless someone else did it forget it. We found some old papers and rag when we just torn the house apart for the Sandy repairs.
I can't resist the character of old homes either, surrounded by them here, but I was just so happy to be buying a house when I bought this place 10 years ago, I never stopped to think what info I was being presented was fraudulent and would cost me tens of thousands of dollars to fix.
This place does look well cared for but you just don't know what lurks under the floor (dirt like Joful and I have) or behind those plaster walls. Seems inexpensive for a big house on 2 acres as that would be almost $450k here but I'm not at all familiar with that area.
It's free to go look though
