Requesting advice about buying old houses

[Varsha Kgan]

I plan to buy a house in Bay Area - Sunnyvale/Fremont..I see good deals on houses built in 1958 or some in 1960s, 1970s.

I don't have past knowledge/experience with house repairs but am ok with spending some money (may be ~$50k ) on easy/inexpensive ones. 

But I am worried about any highly expensive/ not easily fixable foundational/structural issues in such old houses. 

Please advise what I should look for in the inspection report that would fall into don't buy vs buy and fix easily. 

For example: a) Is it ok to buy houses built in 1970s but not before that? b) Should I avoid houses with water leaks? 

I welcome your suggestions on any questions I should ask as well. Thank you!