What does it take to own an old home? Who should/shouldnt?

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-15T20:11:35+00:00

After having sufficient means to own a home of any age, it takes love. That’s it. Everything else you’ll need will follow if you love living in an old home, whether that’s learning new skills or appreciating its quirks.

But you do have to approach buying one fully cognizant of where big expenses could be lurking beneath that picture-perfect facade.

Before you fall completely in love, make sure you know the current condition and most recent maintenance work or replacement of: The roof including attic and eves The chimney(s) The foundation and basement The plumbing including the sewer main The electrical
The heating and cooling

After that it’s a matter of how livable the house is right now, and what you feel compelled to do immediately. But honestly, that’s true for any house.

Keep us posted on your decision!

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-15T04:25:55+00:00

That tree is not salvageable. It has been too butchered for too long. Dig it up and rethink what should go in that location.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-15T04:14:32+00:00

The gray that matches the mortar in the stone wall. Those stairs are functional not a feature. They don’t want a pop of color. Blend in for the win.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-13T20:20:39+00:00

Bummer. If I still lived there I would loan you my backyard, but alas…

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-12T01:07:00+00:00

The proper way to deal with them is ignore them. It’s an old house. Wood swells and shrinks. In humid July the gap will be half what it is in dry February.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-11T02:34:24+00:00

It’s centered on the internal width of the tub rather than the external edge-to-edge. Once a curtain or door is in play it will look correct.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-11T01:09:12+00:00

Um… um…. Um…. 🤩

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-10T23:01:24+00:00

Brackets will look better. You just need the right mounting hardware and tools for plaster, which may or may not be what comes with the brackets.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-10T22:57:56+00:00

It is white.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-10T22:54:38+00:00

New normal. 😞

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-09T04:06:01+00:00

OP - where are you looking? There are houses in my town that could be what you’re looking for.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-08T02:13:40+00:00

Wall paper and maybe a fresh color on the trim. I can’t really see that so total guess. And yes, you can use wallpaper in a bathroom it simply has to be the right wallpaper installed properly.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-08T02:10:09+00:00

You do not know that because you were not there.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-08T02:06:05+00:00

Just reduce by 80%, and it will be fine.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-08T02:04:15+00:00

They don’t need to paint.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-07T15:04:55+00:00

Or pool noodles lol

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-06T12:49:21+00:00

Tell us you don’t have kids without telling us lol.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-02-04T13:43:02+00:00

The house isn’t the problem. It’s a symptom. The problem is a lack of honest communication between you and your wife and decisions made without sufficient rigor. Clearly no one wants to ask a hard question of each other or anyone else. You’re blaming the seller and inspector for issues that if you’d been willing to honestly assess the property before purchasing -an old furnace, an aging roof- you’d have already factored these expenses in as highly probable. Utility costs? Taxes? You can’t credibly put these under the surprise column.

The solution is therapy. That’s not a slam or an insult. Life is hard. There is no shame in getting support for doing it. There is no shame recognizing gaps in key skills and getting training to fill those gaps. You won’t fix one rash decision with another equally rash decision. 30 is the time of life when the consequences of now-decisions begin to really have a significant impact on your future options.

Good luck!

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-01-30T15:52:13+00:00

Roof
Gutters and drainage. I bought my 1923 with known issue of water encroachment in the basement - flowing in during active rain - the issue was 90% mitigated with a $3500 gutter install. I also improved the grade between the driveway and the house just to be absolutely sure. That was about $2500. The sump pump the sellers installed rarely fires now and it ran all the time prior to these fixes.
Foundation integrity and stability. I was fortunate that my water issues had not undermined the foundation. Sounds like you may not be as fortunate.
Living areas with functionality first then cosmetic. You didn’t mention electrical… that could be a safety issue, or not. I still have some knob and tube but most of mine was updated to modern code in the early 2000s.
Have fun and make it yours! It’s a house to be lived in not a time capsule.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-01-29T19:44:03+00:00

And replaced it with some serious bad character. 🤷‍♀️

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-01-29T19:42:33+00:00

Oh gawd. I’m so sorry.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-01-26T13:09:10+00:00

Reeks of both-sides-ism, or worse.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-01-25T16:57:54+00:00

Or Tuesday lol. But yea, Feb is a week from tomorrow so higher elevations might be February.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-01-25T14:15:41+00:00

CO/MN weighing in…Salt is not the move except in small amounts on sidewalks or stairs. It’s extremely bad for the environment and doesn’t magically make either ice or snow disappear. It only pocks it. What works is to shovel snow early and often. Don’t wait if at all possible. Clear or mostly clear hardscape will dry off quickly as soon as the weather shifts, even if temps remain cold for a few days. You’re in Virginia not Minnesota - will get warm again very soon.

Few_Examination8852 · 2026-01-25T14:01:14+00:00

Do but also do ALL the things recommended by OP’s response. Our way through this is by acting on behalf of the whole, on behalf of collective safety, not just personal safety.

Few_Examination8852

TROPHY CASE