Thoughts on 100 year old properties
Investor · FL · Member since 2022 · 26 posts · 9 votes
Thoughts on 100 year old properties
Most Popular Reply
Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
11moOlder properties can be OK but your maintenance, repairs will be higher if you are comparing them to 50/60s or newer builds. You want to make sure you do inspections and check the sewer line. See if there is still plaster, old wiring(knob & tube or aluminum), old galvanized pipes, termites, etc. I will say structurally they are solid. You do want to tuckpoint and keep the foundation sealed. Don't ever finish the basement if it is stone/rock foundation.
34 Replies
- Investor · IN (indiana) · Member since 2020 · 109 posts · 53 votes11mo
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
I think the local market matters a lot here. Can you share what city/state in the midwest?
- Investor · FL · Member since 2022 · 26 posts · 9 votes11mo
Quote from @Shawn Long:
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
I think the local market matters a lot here. Can you share what city/state in the midwest?
I am mainly looking in Indianapolis and another in Cincinnati. Those are the two cities.
- Investor · IN (indiana) · Member since 2020 · 109 posts · 53 votes11mo
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Quote from @Shawn Long:
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
I think the local market matters a lot here. Can you share what city/state in the midwest?
I am mainly looking in Indianapolis and another in Cincinnati. Those are the two cities.
I'll 2nd Caleb, he nailed the main property concerns. Indy markets differ, not sure about Cincinnati. The most important question to ask yourself is are these home ages typical in the area. Put yourself in a buyers shoes, if 100 yr old homes aren't the norm you made have a hard time flipping it. On the other side of the coin, if you plan on a long term buy and hold you should fix 100% of the problems immediately and that should be factored into your budget. Otherwise the property will nickel and dime you over the years. Knob & tube is always a deal breaker for me. Any excessive water damage I avoid as well. If you can get the property into perfect condition and it pencils, then go for it
- Investor · FL · Member since 2022 · 26 posts · 9 votes11mo
Quote from @Shawn Long:
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Quote from @Shawn Long:
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
I think the local market matters a lot here. Can you share what city/state in the midwest?
I am mainly looking in Indianapolis and another in Cincinnati. Those are the two cities.
I'll 2nd Caleb, he nailed the main property concerns. Indy markets differ, not sure about Cincinnati. The most important question to ask yourself is are these home ages typical in the area. Put yourself in a buyers shoes, if 100 yr old homes aren't the norm you made have a hard time flipping it. On the other side of the coin, if you plan on a long term buy and hold you should fix 100% of the problems immediately and that should be factored into your budget. Otherwise the property will nickel and dime you over the years. Knob & tube is always a deal breaker for me. Any excessive water damage I avoid as well. If you can get the property into perfect condition and it pencils, then go for it
Appreciate the feedback. Thanks everyone!
- Member since 2019 · 81 posts · 25 votes11mo
I will agree with Scott local market and the laws and code is said markets are very important. Some markets might have more strict regulations and cost more to own older homes while others will be more flexible.
- Investor · FL · Member since 2022 · 26 posts · 9 votes11mo
Quote from @Andrew Einsmann:
I will agree with Scott local market and the laws and code is said markets are very important. Some markets might have more strict regulations and cost more to own older homes while others will be more flexible.
Thank you for the feedback!
- Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes11mo
Older properties can be OK but your maintenance, repairs will be higher if you are comparing them to 50/60s or newer builds. You want to make sure you do inspections and check the sewer line. See if there is still plaster, old wiring(knob & tube or aluminum), old galvanized pipes, termites, etc. I will say structurally they are solid. You do want to tuckpoint and keep the foundation sealed. Don't ever finish the basement if it is stone/rock foundation.
- Investor · FL · Member since 2022 · 26 posts · 9 votes11mo
Quote from @Caleb Brown:
Older properties can be OK but your maintenance, repairs will be higher if you are comparing them to 50/60s or newer builds. You want to make sure you do inspections and check the sewer line. See if there is still plaster, old wiring(knob & tube or aluminum), old galvanized pipes, termites, etc. I will say structurally they are solid. You do want to tuckpoint and keep the foundation sealed. Don't ever finish the basement if it is stone/rock foundation.
Thank you, I appreciate your insights!
- 11moMin ZhangBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Great question, Vincent! Older homes can definitely be solid investments, but they come with their own set of quirks. You’ll want to keep an eye out for things like outdated electrical (knob and tube, fuses), plumbing materials, foundation settling, and insulation issues. Roof lines and basements in century old properties can sometimes hide costly surprises, so strong inspections are key. On the flip side, these homes often have solid construction and charm that newer builds lack, and if the numbers already make sense, factoring in a healthy reserve for repairs can make them worthwhile long-term holds. Are you leaning toward buy and hold or more of a value add approach with these? Happy to keep the conversation going!
- Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes11mo
All depends on how it has been maintained. As long as it hasn't been torn down, a full gut remodel still has the 100 year old build tag.
For example, I would buy a 100 year old fully renovated/systems upgraded home over an original 50 year home where all the systems need to be replaced.
- 11moJason MalabuteBusiness MemberAccountant · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 897 votes
You’re right — in the Midwest there’s actually a huge stock of properties that are well over 100 years old. I’ve bought some myself. One of the main advantages is that you can usually pick them up at a really solid cost basis. The downside is that many of them come with deferred rehab needs. Definitely be cautious about things like knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos, and older plumbing/electrical systems — those can add up fast if they need to be replaced.
Malabute & Company CPAs525 Reviews - 11moDan H.Pro MemberInvestor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
Spring 2024 I did a rehab of a little unit that the records indicated was built in 1901 but we believe was built circa 1920.
I have done a lot of unit rehabs. I am typically fairly accurate on cost and very accurate on timeline. I went significantly over my budget estimate; more than I thought I would ever go over budget. We did manage to nearly meet our timeline (one week over which was exactly the overage margin I had reserved as guest moved in same day that we finished). Some of it was scope creep, but a lot of it was encountering unexpected things. For example, the mortar holding up the fireplace was closer to sand than cement. The crawl space over the years had filled with sand which had to be extracted from the crawl space. It is not unusual to encounter something unexpected in a large rehab, but on real old units you can expect more unexpected items.
Good luck
- Investor · Fort Washington, MD · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes11mo
I have one from the 1800s. No major issues outside of them still looking like the 1800s. I do small renovations and upgrades every time a tenant leaves. Other than that, it works for me. Luckily, in this area everything is old. I can imagine, somewhere else those drop ceilings I have would not fly in areas more modern. Still hoping I find some rebel gold buried somewhere in there.
- Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes11mo
In Chicago pretty much all the 2-4 unit buildings are 90-130 years old. As long as the place has been updated to modern hvac etc and building feels solid it really doesn’t matter, maintenance will be same as newer buildings going forward. Check for big structural issues though like entire floors leaning over or water damaged basements and pass on those buildings as can’t easily (cheaply) fix that.
- Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2025 · 92 posts · 71 votes11mo
@Vincent DeLucia Buying 100+ year-old buildings is super common in the Northeast. I've done it a few times. The bones are usually stronger than mid-century stuff; what eats you alive are the layers. Aluminum wiring instead of copper, or a buried oil tank you didn’t catch, those are the money pits. The trick is to treat every old building like it’s had five different owners cutting corners.
- Real Estate Agent · Cleveland OH · Member since 2015 · 213 posts · 275 votes11mo
I am a realtor and investor in Cleveland area. I have just sold off the last of my 100 year old Cleveland properties, even though I owned them all free and clear and they were purchased during the last crash. Why local laws. In Cleveland they have enacted Residents First, which translates into a narrative that out of town landlord are "evil" They also enforce a Lead Safe Certification Law which requires that all rentals built before 1978, must pass a Lead Risk Inspection every 2 years. This means you better have new windows, doors, vinyl siding, LVP flooring, composite porches and no bare dirt anywhere. This month a client was required the paint backboard of the garage mounted basketball hoop because there was flaking paint. I personally live in a 100 year old home and after spending a week each painting the basements of my rentals bi-annually, they now look better than my own home. The trend to enact such laws is spreading. Cleveland Hts, Toledo; all the rust belt cities are considering this kind of legislation. 100 year old homes can be charming, desirable and more affordable than a new build but look to local laws. Cleveland's lead safe certification makes it a constant maintenance issue. They claim to have funds to assist landlords in making required improvements, but in 5 years have failed to figure out how to administer disbursements. HUD has now given Cleveland two extensions to spend the funds or return millions to the federal government.
- 11moAndrew FidlerBusiness MemberReal Estate Broker · Toledo, OH · Member since 2011 · 384 posts · 434 votes
@Michelle Fenn - I am 100% Toledo, don't have any experience in Cleveland. I followed the same pattern exiting 40 C-grade properties for half as many B-grade plus cash left over to buy and renovate our real estate office and build a dream home on the footprint of our 100+ yr old farmhouse (on LaPlante Rd of course).
So yeah, where I live full time...tear down and build something amazing. Dig a hole and put the ~$50k house value in and cover it over.
Investments? Buy for quality and be comfortable picking up properties with old peeling paint wooden siding and pricing the purchase to include installing vinyl siding and new windows.
I keep a portfolio and am actively buying, deals are back now that home owners are out while interest rates are high.
I've been in this business 16 yrs and it's always with the fear of city ordinances putting new regulations on us with and the sky falling. The sky hasn't fallen yet, and I imagine similar conversations 100yrs ago when landlords back in the day were panicking over city code for electrical, fire, sewer and banning dirt floors.
If we get a challenging ordinance, then the market will adapt. If investors flee that market, anyone who can thrive will make a killing.
All depends on your cash position, the team you align yourself with, and your personal tolerance for seeing through panic from the general public and news media.
It's the reason I'm licensed through out Ohio but only invest and property manage in a 20 mile circle...I'm the best in my niche and am happy to facilitate others to grow along side me and mine.
You liquidated out of Cleveland...if you want to hear a bit about my town - Toledo - reach out! :)
- Real Estate Agent · Cleveland OH · Member since 2015 · 213 posts · 275 votes11mo
Quote from @Andrew Fidler:
@Michelle Fenn - I am 100% Toledo, don't have any experience in Cleveland. I followed the same pattern exiting 40 C-grade properties for half as many B-grade plus cash left over to buy and renovate our real estate office and build a dream home on the footprint of our 100+ yr old farmhouse (on LaPlante Rd of course).
So yeah, where I live full time...tear down and build something amazing. Dig a hole and put the ~$50k house value in and cover it over.
Investments? Buy for quality and be comfortable picking up properties with old peeling paint wooden siding and pricing the purchase to include installing vinyl siding and new windows.
I keep a portfolio and am actively buying, deals are back now that home owners are out while interest rates are high.
I've been in this business 16 yrs and it's always with the fear of city ordinances putting new regulations on us with and the sky falling. The sky hasn't fallen yet, and I imagine similar conversations 100yrs ago when landlords back in the day were panicking over city code for electrical, fire, sewer and banning dirt floors.
If we get a challenging ordinance, then the market will adapt. If investors flee that market, anyone who can thrive will make a killing.
All depends on your cash position, the team you align yourself with, and your personal tolerance for seeing through panic from the general public and news media.
It's the reason I'm licensed through out Ohio but only invest and property manage in a 20 mile circle...I'm the best in my niche and am happy to facilitate others to grow along side me and mine.
You liquidated out of Cleveland...if you want to hear a bit about my town - Toledo - reach out! :)
I am following your example. 15 years in the Cleveland market and I have used 1031 exchanges to purchase Class B properties in the burbs. I was a licensed lead inspector and often attend the city's lead policy committee meeting, usually the only landlord in the building. I have been promoting targeted selection for lead testing. The city evaluated the condition of all the houses in the city 2-3 years ago. Select all houses in poor condition with children under 6. That common sense approach would really reduce the number of lead poisoned children in Cleveland. It would also include owner occupied homes, which the politicians work hard to exclude. The result is the good landlords comply with registration laws and testing and the city has no idea whom the bad landlords even are. The current percentage of lead safe properties is between 25-30% and decreasing.
- 11moNathan FisherBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 305 posts · 261 votesSome insight into this:
Quote from @Michelle Fenn:
I am a realtor and investor in Cleveland area. I have just sold off the last of my 100 year old Cleveland properties, even though I owned them all free and clear and they were purchased during the last crash. Why local laws. In Cleveland they have enacted Residents First, which translates into a narrative that out of town landlord are "evil" They also enforce a Lead Safe Certification Law which requires that all rentals built before 1978, must pass a Lead Risk Inspection every 2 years. This means you better have new windows, doors, vinyl siding, LVP flooring, composite porches and no bare dirt anywhere. This month a client was required the paint backboard of the garage mounted basketball hoop because there was flaking paint. I personally live in a 100 year old home and after spending a week each painting the basements of my rentals bi-annually, they now look better than my own home. The trend to enact such laws is spreading. Cleveland Hts, Toledo; all the rust belt cities are considering this kind of legislation. 100 year old homes can be charming, desirable and more affordable than a new build but look to local laws. Cleveland's lead safe certification makes it a constant maintenance issue. They claim to have funds to assist landlords in making required improvements, but in 5 years have failed to figure out how to administer disbursements. HUD has now given Cleveland two extensions to spend the funds or return millions to the federal government.
Cleveland council member Kris Harsh wants to end regular assessments after a certain percentage get their assessments at least 1 time. It's mostly being used to clear out shady OOS landlords who use HW.
The biggest threat to Cleveland Landlords/investors is the housing court judge. If we can remove Monae Scott, things will get so much easier.
Aligned Properties Group4.292 Reviews - Member since 2023 · 92 posts · 60 votes11mo
Quote from @Michelle Fenn:
I am a realtor and investor in Cleveland area. I have just sold off the last of my 100 year old Cleveland properties, even though I owned them all free and clear and they were purchased during the last crash. Why local laws. In Cleveland they have enacted Residents First, which translates into a narrative that out of town landlord are "evil" They also enforce a Lead Safe Certification Law which requires that all rentals built before 1978, must pass a Lead Risk Inspection every 2 years. This means you better have new windows, doors, vinyl siding, LVP flooring, composite porches and no bare dirt anywhere. This month a client was required the paint backboard of the garage mounted basketball hoop because there was flaking paint. I personally live in a 100 year old home and after spending a week each painting the basements of my rentals bi-annually, they now look better than my own home. The trend to enact such laws is spreading. Cleveland Hts, Toledo; all the rust belt cities are considering this kind of legislation. 100 year old homes can be charming, desirable and more affordable than a new build but look to local laws. Cleveland's lead safe certification makes it a constant maintenance issue. They claim to have funds to assist landlords in making required improvements, but in 5 years have failed to figure out how to administer disbursements. HUD has now given Cleveland two extensions to spend the funds or return millions to the federal government.
A lot of people will be watching how Cleveland's "Resident's First" experiment goes.
Essentially, Cleveland city council determined that absentee landlords (non-local) are responsible for neglected rentals. The solution they came up with is a local agent requirement. If you own a rental but don't live there you must find a local agent to represent you, and this agent will accept all civil and criminal culpability.
That's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. For a fee. Which the renters will ultimately pay.
Same for making a house occupied by a sixty-year old couple "lead free" to save them when they chew on the window sills. Thank goodness for that. I know the renters will be pleased to pay for that also, and I am grateful to Cleveland for protecting our seniors.
All these taxes, and that's what they are essentially are, makes the entire market unattractive. There's no way I want to invest in Cuyahoga, and that's a shame. That hurts everyone's values.
- Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes11mo
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
In my market- In my opinion- Much depends on whether or not the property if Brick or Frame. If Brick, then we are looking for whether or not the property has "good bones"; i.e., no structural problems. If it has good bones and the room sizes are large enough, or we can expand room sizes, then it's just a matter of updating the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC to modern standards and dealing with cosmetics. This is where it becomes a numbers came regarding if it's worthwhile to invest. I emphasize room sizes because there are some old buildings in my market where the bedroom sizes are so small that certain villages won't allow those rooms to be used as bedrooms unless expanded or fully gutting the property.
- 11moJimmy LieuBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
Hey Vincent, welcome to BP! Older homes can definitely be solid investments, but they do come with some extra things to watch out for like outdated plumbing, knob-and-tube wiring, foundation issues, or old roofs and windows, so the key is making sure you get a really thorough inspection and budget for some extra CapEx. That being said, in a lot of Midwest markets, including Columbus, Ohio, 100-year-old houses are super common and investors buy them all the time because the numbers still work—many of them were built solidly and have already had major systems updated over the years. Here in Columbus you can still find homes from the early 1900s in that $120–180K range that hit the 1% rule and cash flow, and because of all the population and job growth with Intel, Amazon, Google, Honda, and others moving in, they're also appreciating well. As long as you do your due diligence and plan for some bigger ticket maintenance items, older properties can be great long-term rentals. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9120 Reviews - 11moRemington LymanBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
A lot of my properties are older homes. You need to know how to maintain them. A knowledgeable inspector and contractor will be able to help you with that
- 11moKerlous TadresBusiness MemberRealtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votesHey Vincent,
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
That's a great question! I truly believe that if you get a solid inspector to check out the place and look at the foundation and other key parts of the property, you should be in good shape. I have a couple of properties that were built in 1900, and they're doing fine. It's all about how they were maintained and how you'll maintain them when you own them.
Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate539 Reviews - 11moSam McCormackBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Cincinnati, OH/NKY · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 833 votes
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
I love older properties. I think they maintain a lot better than a lot of new builds. Especially stone foundations. You will likely have higher maintenance costs, and insurance, but for what it's worth, I would rather by a brick, stone foundation house with THICK floor joists, rather than a new build made of paper and straw. Properties in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, you probably got me beat there because those are still quality and newer with better plumbing and electric, but I still love old houses. Please have an inspection and a sewer scope done though. Let me know if you have questions about Cincinnati and the houses here, and NKY
Sam McCormack Realtor - Real Estate Consultant · Ann Arbor, MI · Member since 2022 · 460 posts · 250 votes11mo
Hi Vincent from south Florida-
Great Question! You asked about investing in properties that are older than 100 years old.
You see a few opportunities where the numbers work in the Midwest and wonder if it is a good idea to invest in properties that old.
Obviously, you would want to have them thoroughly inspected and see if there are environmental or electrical/mechanical issues. However, many of these houses were built well and if you budget in your offer for things like upgrading the electrical, it could be a very productive and profitable house for you as an investor.
One other consideration is insurance costs which may be higher due to the age of the house so get an estimate on that and factor that into your offer.
To Your Success!
- 11moZeke ListonBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votesHi Vincent, I own a couple of properties from the early 1900s, and I can say that they have their own quirks. In my experience, most of them were built solid and have turned out to be great buys. The key with houses that old is knowing what you’re walking into. Before buying, I’d recommend you have a good inspector go through it and bring in a contractor you trust as they’ll point out anything that needs attention right away and flag potential bigger projects. If the numbers still work after factoring in those repairs, older homes can be great buys.
Quote from @Vincent DeLucia:
Hi BP family,
Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger.
Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
Forge Real Estate Advisors535 Reviews - Real Estate Agent · Cleveland OH · Member since 2015 · 213 posts · 275 votes11mo
Reply to Nathan Do not get to excited about what Kris Harsh is promoting. The lead policy committee is considering an alternative test schedule, 5 years after passing 3, bi-annual lead risk assessments.
- 11moShuff MauldinPro MemberInvestor · MS AL TN, GA · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 45 votes
i agree with @Caleb Brown - really get someone you trust to eval the crawlspace. It can eat your lunch on its own. If it has knob & tube make sure none of it is active. Pay to have the sewer lines camera'ed. If the windows are original prepare for a crazy power bill & budget for double the normal insurance cost.
If you do end up purchasing, ADT has a feature which will monitor the elect in the home and alert you to any potential hazards/hot spots. I recommend getting it.
- 11moRemington LymanBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
Quote from @Shuff Mauldin:
i agree with @Caleb Brown - really get someone you trust to eval the crawlspace. It can eat your lunch on its own. If it has knob & tube make sure none of it is active. Pay to have the sewer lines camera'ed. If the windows are original prepare for a crazy power bill & budget for double the normal insurance cost.
If you do end up purchasing, ADT has a feature which will monitor the elect in the home and alert you to any potential hazards/hot spots. I recommend getting it.
A lot of the rental properties I see in my market have knob & tube. Most of the time the investor needs to get comfortable with if they want 1-4 unit properties that cash flow.
- Member since 2023 · 92 posts · 60 votes11mo
Quote from @Remington Lyman:
Quote from @Shuff Mauldin:
i agree with @Caleb Brown - really get someone you trust to eval the crawlspace. It can eat your lunch on its own. If it has knob & tube make sure none of it is active. Pay to have the sewer lines camera'ed. If the windows are original prepare for a crazy power bill & budget for double the normal insurance cost.
If you do end up purchasing, ADT has a feature which will monitor the elect in the home and alert you to any potential hazards/hot spots. I recommend getting it.
A lot of the rental properties I see in my market have knob & tube. Most of the time the investor needs to get comfortable with if they want 1-4 unit properties that cash flow.
I agree. I see knob-and-tube on a very-regular basis. A lot of landlords may have it and not even know it.
Usually, parts of the house have been upgraded over the years. I will find ROMEX and Metal Clad at the service panel and in the walls. But when I get up to the attic there is frequently a mix of new wires tied to knob-and-tube using junction boxes.
It's kind of funny, actually. Upgrades start at the basement and go up through all the walls. But when they reach the attic they stop. Why? Because it's cheaper to tie into the existing than to spend a few hundred more putting in new.
- 11moRemington LymanBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
Quote from @Christopher Sandys:
Quote from @Remington Lyman:
Quote from @Shuff Mauldin:
i agree with @Caleb Brown - really get someone you trust to eval the crawlspace. It can eat your lunch on its own. If it has knob & tube make sure none of it is active. Pay to have the sewer lines camera'ed. If the windows are original prepare for a crazy power bill & budget for double the normal insurance cost.
If you do end up purchasing, ADT has a feature which will monitor the elect in the home and alert you to any potential hazards/hot spots. I recommend getting it.
A lot of the rental properties I see in my market have knob & tube. Most of the time the investor needs to get comfortable with if they want 1-4 unit properties that cash flow.
I agree. I see knob-and-tube on a very-regular basis. A lot of landlords may have it and not even know it.
Usually, parts of the house have been upgraded over the years. I will find ROMEX and Metal Clad at the service panel and in the walls. But when I get up to the attic there is frequently a mix of new wires tied to knob-and-tube using junction boxes.
It's kind of funny, actually. Upgrades start at the basement and go up through all the walls. But when they reach the attic they stop. Why? Because it's cheaper to tie into the existing than to spend a few hundred more putting in new.
plus, inspectors never check in the attic so it gets called out less
- Investor · Toledo-MetroDetroit-Dallas · Member since 2022 · 122 posts · 71 votes11mo
This is a common phenomenon in many older cities, particularly on the East Coast and the Midwest. As long as it's inspected and updated, I wouldn't let that deter me from making a purchase. I have several myself that are over 100 years old! The way I look at it is that it must be built exceptionally well to last 100 years. I often trust them more than brand-new builds nowadays, given that they are usually constructed so poorly.
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