Hi MrsD,

Visit the local Historical Society or the local Preservation Association. If that's of no help, hire an ASHI-Approved Home Inspector. For $3-500, that's money well spent. Just be SURE you ask your Inspector what his 'background' is. In addition to his Trade Skills (no former Taxi Drivers, or the like, for your Inspector), find out w/references what homes he's inspected that are of that type, age, and year. (You don't want just ANYONE to do this for you especially when you're paying that kind of $$$.) Visit ASHI for How To Pick A Home Inspector. (It's the best guide I've come across.)

My best to ya and hope this helps.

Jay J -Moderator

PS: Now, you're probably saying to yourself, "Geesh, I don't want to spend $3-500 for advice that will tell me the house isn't any good (so to speak.)" Well, to that I have to say, "If the info you get helps you make an INFORMED decision, then that's $$$ well spent!" That $3-500 is a LOT cheaper to pay now then to have to pay $5-10,000 later on to have all your bathrooms remodeled when you were 'informed' that all was well. In short, pay now or pay later.

Jay...thank you. I will have the home inspected by a qualified person if we were to make an offer on it. I was just hoping that maybe by asking the right questions of the seller, I may get an idea if all the pipes will need replacing...i.e. lead pipes...and what types of renovation needs there are in a home of this age. Take lead pipes for example, was it common in homes built at this time to have lead pipes installed or cast iron? Anyway, thanks again for your help! Anyone else with any suggestions or remarks?

Jay-I just read your post to me under the electrical forum. Let me be a little more specific...We are currently homeowners of a home built in the 60's. Our knowledge is fairly basic. This farmhouse I mentioned has about 60K + of marketable timber with it. We are trying to get an appointment to see the house, but have not seen the inside at this time. We just really wanted an idea as to what types of things would probably need to be done to a home of this age. The only information I was able to get out of the listing realtor, was that the owners had not done much updating. I imagine he could find more specific answers for me, if I knew the right questions to ask. This is why I put up both posts. Thanks for your replies and let me know your thoughts if you have anything to add.

Hi MrsD,

No, I really don't have anything else to add. I would just emphasize that you find an ASHI-Approved Home Inspector that's EXPERIENCED w/the age and, preferably, type of home you're viewing. W/the types of concerns you have, that's $$$ well spent.

Contact the Historical Society or local Preservation Society for 'leads' of that type of Inspector. If you like what you CAN see, then I think you're ready for 'the next level', i.e., a Home Inspection to get someone to investigate the things you can't see or identify on your own.

Good luck! And I hope it works out for you.

Jay J -Moderator

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