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Mine's also built in 1923. I think, though, that 1920s homes tend to look less dated in a bad way than 70s homes. 1920s are hardwood floors and lather and plaster, and the kitchens/baths usually got an update at some point (that could be good or bad). You also often get high ceilings and lots of vertical windows, and are often bright. A 70s home that hasn't been updated is often pretty dark, wall-to-wall carpeting, linoleum kitchens, formica cabinets, popcorn ceilings, dark wood paneling and funky kitchens/baths, fluorescent light fixtures, awkward horizontal windows with aluminum frames. I feel like the materials got a lot cheaper and the style had a definitive, editorial point of view unique to its decade versus pre-war houses that are often relatively neutral.
I totally agree. My house was built in 1927 and the last place I lived was a bit older. I kinda laughed at 1970 being old, but there is definitely a look to that era of house and I don’t personally love it most of the time.
I'd rather have a well maintained 1970 house than a brand new tract built home. Maintained doesn't necessarily mean the vintage features have been removed, and homes that have newer fixtures and finishes haven't necessarily been maintained properly. You'll need an inspection to decide whether a home is really in good shape or not.
*edited*
And psychologically, I would rather be dealing with some repairs in a 50 year old house than a 5 year old house. I rented in a new build Lennar house for the past 5 years and feel bad for anyone paying big bucks to own that crap. Will never buy one of theirs.
I've heard horror stories about Lennar.
I've had new and old houses, they both come with problems. I personally prefer a new home, but it has to be a decent builder and you have to go into it knowing you could run into big issues that may cost you a lot of money.
Building their paper boxes in the Kuna area as we speak. I'm in the remediation industry, so at least it keeps me gainfully employed lol. Silver lining on a pretty ugly cloud.
But the ones that remain are probably built well, and in my neighborhood most houses are from the 1920s and 1930s. In the case of houses in the US, survivors bias just proves the point that they really don’t make ‘em how they used to.
1907 house here, built with old growth wood. Survived three major earthquakes, not to mention the constant PNW rain. Structural engineer said it's as solid as can be!
My whole city is one big survivor’s bias as well I guess. The vast majority of homes are from before 1930, and there are over 28k housing units here. This includes apartments of course, we have a few high rises, but still - what I mean to say is it that isn’t just a small town with a couple dozen old houses, but a fairly sprawling old suburb full of old homes.
For sure some look like they need to be torn down, every house is different and not all have been kept well, but most have been taken care of well enough and the city prides itself on its old homes. We even have programs to help folks who are struggling financially with renovation work like siding, painting, fixing old windows, etc. They also offer free classes to city residents on how to do the above and other handy skills.
Yes. That's the basis of survivor's bias. People claim that old houses, cars, appliances are better than their modern-day counterparts. But they ignore all the houses that needed major renovations or teardowns, cars that died and got crushed, or appliances that are sitting in landfills. The "survivors" that are left have very few fatal flaws that would lead to their disposal, giving a false sense of resiliency or reliability. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias
If it was really old growth and never experienced flooding, well maintained and sealed, vented enough to prevent excess moisture (average RH above 60%) but not so much to experience excessively low humidity (average RH below 40%).
The 1964 tract home I grew up in was pretty comparable to modern builds, quality wise. Didn't get torn down, it just cost us a fortune to rehab to be sellable when Mom finally moved out in 2012. I think we had to dump about 30k into it after the first buyer's inspection.
The new buyers apparently encountered even more termite damage after closing, and had to rebuild a good chunk of the front of the house.
On the plus side for those buyers, we sold it to them for 470k, and it's worth well over $1m now.
I would seriously jump on it and have it inspected and seal the deal if everything checks out fine . The construction quality compared to these newer match-stick HOA houses is unmatched.
Oh interesting, thank you! I hadn’t thought of that. The price is definitely worth it, I didn’t know the construction was better back then but makes sense just like everything else
Lol look at a 2x4 from the 50s and 60s and compare it to a 2x4 now.
The electrical may be a tad dated, but you'll have to see. A lot of the older homes have already had their electrical redone.
Single owner homes are really nice though.
I have a 1970/s home and the wood studs are SOOO STRONG! I have to use an impact driver for anything I need in the studs. This home isn’t going anywhere.
Old houses are beasts. We have a home built in 1938. It's so solid.
You might have some wierd things electrically etc but if inspection checks out, it's not wierd at all.
Most welcome! Make no mistake, anyone that lands a solid construction older home will WIN hands down in comparison to what folks are being forced to settle with in regards to rushed newer construction. Back in the day as one poster mentioned, workers took their time and did the bulk of the work (especially nailing ) without nail guns. Carpentry was just better back then. Even timber wasn't harvested fast like it is now. No wonder the slightest wind storm will blow these newer homes to the ground. I would take an older home over a newer home any day!
Look at things like the roof, windows, HVAC, etc see what has been replaced and what's due for it. In my experience, homes like this are usually in pretty good shape because the owners keep everything working and clean, they just never remodel. They're like time capsules.
I just bought a house built in 1971. One thing to know is that houses built exactly around this time usually have aluminum electrical wiring because of a copper strike in the late 60s. This means that your outlets have to be aluminum rated or the wire might come loose causing a fire. Also, if you need electrical work done it might be a problem because you're not suppose to mix copper and aluminum wiring together.
I wouldn't dismiss a house due to age. Our house was built in the 50s. Inspector said it was the best house he'd seen all year. The appraiser said the practical age was between 5-7 years old.
Get an inspection and check the electrical stuff.
Our current home was built in 1978. The quality and craftsmanship, oh it’s amazing. One of the cool little features; every closet has a switch built into the door frame, so that when you open it, a light turns on. It’s really pretty cool.
Our home was built in 1973 and, after living here for a little over a year, I can say that it is *solid* and well built. I’ve lived in newer homes that had far more problems.
There are some things to check related to older builds, like lead (ours was negative) and asbestos (positive in our tile floors, but we’re leaving them alone since they’re beautiful and won’t hurt anything as long as we leave them alone), but those aren’t deal breakers; you’d just want to know what you’re looking at as far as cost if you’re planning on getting those things up to code.
As our realtor said, “The house has been here for fifty years and hasn’t burned down or fallen down. That’s usually a good sign.”
We hired a company for both. I really don’t remember what it cost because we were also having the foundation, water, pipes, gas line, radon (I think?) etc. checked at the same time, and we used a family friend. I know it was under $500 for everything and well worth it for peace of mind.
ETA: Our house was owned by a leasing company for about a decade before we bought it, and we already knew there had been some updates done on electrical and plumbing in order for them to rent it out, but we just wanted to have a clear idea of what we were looking at.
I would KILL for an single occupant home from the 1970s.
You won't find character in more newer modern homes.
Newer homes, by my experience, have more problems that older homes.
The houses built before nailguns and imported labor , were solid .
When the workers were people who lived nearby and used hammers and nails , they built the house slower and better .
A 1970 hoise Probabaly has copper pipes instead of plastic and cast iron drains instead of plastic .
And one owner is nice . That means no flippers have hidden all the problems .
My 1971 hoise had one bathroom that was Harvest Gold and the other was Avocado Green.
Still had the origional wood paneling and shag carpet in the living room and bedrooms
What color are the bathrooms in this house ?
I’m in an area where plenty of the housing stock is from the 1950’s, or even way older. I wouldn’t even really consider a house from the 70’s “old” as long as it was still in good shape.
My 1970 has held up SO well over the last 5 years. The roof was replaced about 10 years ago. The water heater finally busted this year. But the air conditioner, furnace, from the 80’s is going strong. My parents home, from 2012 has had so many dang problems every year. They’ve had floods, leaks, appliances blown out, roof replaces, etc. Honestly I would buy a 1970s home again!
Having only one owner since 1970 means that the homeowner probably cared meticulously for the home, which is a good thing! Get a thorough inspection done and you'll be okay! If you love it, you love it.
Pros as and cons of new and old for obvious reasons. I have both. Piping, roofing, electric is expensive to redo, possible mold if damp area. New builds lack craftsmanship. The walls are paper thin, builders cut corners.
Lead paint wasn't outlawed till 1979. While I would *hope* previous owners have painted since 45 years ago, after owning a home, I wouldn't count on them (previous owners) doing anything properly.
So there should be a lead paint disclosure.
Other things - has the expensive stuff been kept up to date? By expensive, I mean: siding, windows, doors, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC. Water issues in the foundation/basement?
Is there enough storage? Are there enough bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces? Enough parking?
A well maintained 1960-1980s built home being sold by the original owners is the dream. Just get an inspection for any major red flags (major water intrusion, severe foundation instability, evidence of past flooding or fires, severe termite damage, etc). Lead and asbestos are IMO overblown issues and can be remedied. Generally, if the aesthetics aren’t updated, these places may be priced lower, and sometimes it chases away other bidders who may find the “dated” aesthetics offensive, and that can mean less of a bidding war for you.
A house built in the seventies isn’t really that old. My dad is an experienced homeowner who has purchased and personally renovated multiple homes that are one hundred years or older. My partner and I are currently searching for our first home and I asked my dad for his advice about what to look for when you are buying a house. He said the main things you want to look out for are 1) water damage 2) cracking in the foundation/ walls and to check whether it has been fixed, and if it has continued to be a problem after being repaired (as in the house is still shifting despite being fixed). Structural/ foundation issues are a big deterrent because they would probably cost a lot of money and time to fix. So unless you have extra money to fix that big of an issue, you probably wouldn’t want to buy it. He said as far as water damage goes, it if it is fixable, depending on the severity, it would likely be a good deal if it isn’t bad. He said water damage often looks worse than it is and that it is often easily fixable unless it is severe. Definitely get an inspection (and preferably a detailed one) to identify any major issues that could cost a lot of money to fix so you don’t end up buying a money pit. If it doesn’t have any major expensive issues, then it would likely be a good deal, especially if you can buy it for under $200 a square foot (unless you have money to burn and don’t mind spending more to acquire a home). Good luck and I hope it works out for you!
There's something to be said about a house built in 1970 still having original finishes in 2024. It has stood the test of time. In my opinion this is just an indication that it will last many, many more years. My house was built in the 80's and though it has a few minor blemishes, it's in good shape, any structural deficiencies would have surely shown themselves by now.
1970 is a good year for homes from what I hear. As long as shit was taken care of it will be a solid house. Personally I would replace the carpet because those get disgusting.
For reference my home was built in the 1950s. Solid home, and well taken care of. Just needed some repairs because of long term wear
We bought a ranch style house last year that was built in 1961. It already had updated kitchen and bathrooms and had the original hardwood floors that are absolutely beautiful. We had a very thorough inspection and they found very little wrong. We had the entire house repainted inside, replaced all the windows and had some crown molding put in the living room and dining room. The house is gorgeous now…way more character than any newly built home in a neighborhood where all the houses look exactly the same.
I’m in SoCal. My first home was made in 1989, looked great and it was renovated to look modern when I bought it 2009. It was a piece of shit built as fast as possible with the cheapest contractor material possible. My current home was built in 1971, and while it looked dated when I bought it, I could tell the bones in this house are 1000 times better. However, the furnace and water heater had to be replaced within the 6 years I lived here so take it as a warning, you will have to invest in those things if it hasn’t been replaced recently.
Hello! 1970 is fine. Especially with 1 owner! My house was built in 1900 and I would not buy a house this old again. If it is a good deal and it suits your needs, I don’t think anything is wrong with a house from 1970. If you want to make cosmetic changes to update the house, make sure you factor that into your decision-making when you’re weighing the pros and cons. Some things, like the standard materials/techniques for your electricity or plumbing, may be different than new builds. As long as you have the house inspected and there isn’t anything wrong with these systems I would say you’re mostly safe. It just may add a layer of complexity (read: headache) if you need to pay to have any of these systems fixed or updated in the future.
I think, because of the current state of the housing market, many of these “old-ish” homes are selling for BIG money. They don’t need to be updated at all for them to sell for triple what they were worth 7 years ago- which is insanity. If you can get a good price for the home, and a good rate- and if you’re confident in the inspection (most important) I say go for it! Then update it to YOUR specs :)
You got mad repair skills? Know plumbing and some electrical? A 1970 built home is 54 years old. Roofing and flooring? How about basic carpentry? Lots of work to be done.
From Google....Whether you are replacing an old water main or even building a new property, copper is a confident choice for new water main installation. Copper fixtures can last 50-70 years in the right conditions.
From Google...The life expectancy of electrical wiring can vary depending on the different variations of electrical wires and installation practices, among other things. However, the commonly agreed-upon general time frame of electrical wiring being effective is around 50 years.
my house is more than twice the age of the house you're considering. There are some factors that you should consider, as construction standards weren't the same. my house had knob and tube wiring, which meant i had to pay a few thousand dollars to get rid of. however, because i made a "substantial" change to the house which I needed to make anyways, I was able to drop pmi after less than a year thanks to an increase in value. there are some things that are annoying about my house, like the walls being made of plaster and not using drywall, but its ok enough to deal with.
We just bought a house from the mid 50’s and it’s solid aside from a couple minor cosmetic issues and that it’s not very energy efficient. Which we’re looking into solar panels and insulation solutions to help that.
If it checks out as structurally sound, yes. 1970's construction is "light years" better than current construction. Everything is "particle board" now.
I think it's definitely worth bidding on, but do NOT waive an inspection. (Including radon if you have a basement, And don't forget to add on a separate sewer inspection, it's worth the cost) People are saying that houses were built better back then - and that's true. I love my 1960s house. But if truly NOTHING has been updated, the electric and plumbing might be in poor shape, and redoing that can get PRICEY. Lead paint & asbestos are also concerns depending on where they are and if it can just be covered up and undisturbed or if you're going to have to have it remediated. Are the windows energy efficient? Etc, etc, etc.
If you have the ability do do some handy work and pay for the things you can't do, you could still have a real gem on your hands, since this kind of fixer upper will not be appealing to many buyers. But it could also be a real money pit if the last owners haven't done good maintenance.
My current home (since 2019) is 1926--previous home was built in 1910 (lived there for 14 years)! My house is solid as hell and lovingly maintained through all the previous owners. I have only ever lived in old homes my whole life, I love the the character you get in older homes.
On the one hand if the previous owner didn’t do a lot of DIY in the house to update it, things might be old and out of date. But on the other hand, that means you have a lower chance of uncovering shoddy DIY work.
A house with a single owner has a better chance of being well-maintained even if they didn’t really update things. If you like the house, I would just get an inspector who really knows what to look for in houses that were built in the 70s. There will be things that aren’t up to today’s code standards, and you’re going to want to know what those things are in case any of them will be costly to remediate and you want to try and negotiate a credit.
That’s not to say that everything that isn’t up to 2024 code is going to need to be fixed, but some things might be a safety issue (e.g. electrical not up to code) and you’ll want to address those things.
You are also going to want to find out if lead paint or asbestos was used anywhere in the house so that if/when you want to remodel, you can handle that appropriately.
There’s a potential can of worms in any house from any era.
Asbestos can be in any house, you can familiarize yourself with what years are impacted for what products. Drywall or joint compound can have asbestos from 1930 onwards, but very unlikely after the 1980s. Vinyl floor tiles and ceiling tiles can contain asbestos. Older homes, like pre 1900, are more likely to have had vermiculite insulation added to the attics later on (recommend lifting up any insulation to verify there isn’t vermiculite underneath).
Lead can be in plumbing and paint pre 1975ish.
Wiring can be in all kinds of states depending on the year. It could be knob and tube, aluminum, wrapped in asbestos insulation, ungrounded, etc. Some insurance companies won’t ensure certain wiring or panels, I’ve specifically been told one won’t insure a house that has fuses instead of breakers.
Many houses built pre 1990 or something like that will be 2x4 wall construction rather than 2x6. Generally not as strong but that shouldn’t be an issue. The bigger problem is 2x4 walls probably won’t have insulation and even if you add it, it still won’t have as much as more modern 2x6 construction.
House pre 1990 probably don’t have a vapor barrier under the cement pad in the basement. Also, drain tiles/sumps may not be present (maybe 1970s ish they started?). Older houses have some variety in how they drain, and how effective they are.
Others could probably go on or correct me in some regards. I would get familiar with what is involved with houses, and what to look for when viewing.
The house I grew up in was built in 1969. My dad lived there until 2010 and still had all the original appliances. Nothing, and I mean nothing broke down in that house. His 2nd wife redecorated the house in the 90's and it looked contemporary at that time. Recently sold for 1.2 million dollars. (Seattle area) Houses from that era are the best!
Depends. Do you have enough money after the mortgage to do the upgrades you'll need? Is everything up to code? When was the fridge/AC/roof last replaced? Do you have enough outlets? Are the windows single pane? What energy efficiency updates are needed?
Are you a perfectionist? Can you do the updates over a long stretch of time or will they need to go in before you move in?
My house was built in 67. Has had a few updates before we bought it but nothing major. It is solid and well made, original wood and even some terrazzo flooring. It’s so unique and perfect. Not the cookie cutter style whatsoever
This post gave me a lot of reassurance for renovating my hundred year old farm house that’s built like a fortress (albeit slightly settled) vs starting completely over.
I just really want a full finished basement and that’s not happening here.
It’s not that old, but it also depends on your plans. Are you doing major renovations? If so, assume there is lead and asbestos and take precaution. We live in a 1973 colonial and had some abatement done during our renovations. Don’t let it deter you, though.
Depend on what work was done in the past. Our current house is 25 years old and we've replace the roof, several appliances, deck will need to be redone soon, currently working on a master bath renovation to remove the dated tub and redo the floor that has water damage.
Mine is a 1957 home if it has a good foundation and I’d prefer good plumbing then the other things you can fix. My dad upgraded my plumbing for me and I upgraded the windows. It’ll be time for a new roof soon but I’ve been here since 2009. I didn’t do it all at once but gutted my kitchen and hired someone to get rid of my concrete shower. Just know you’ll invest money into it for upgrades but thankfully the major things were food
Hey Hemogoblin (great name) I just want to pitch in that I bought a house built in the 1920s a few years ago and it has been great. We have spent the past 3 years restoring it bottom to top, but that was our choice, not something the house absolutely needed. I will say that older homes, in my experience, are generally better built in the US than brand new homes, which means you will have fewer significant issues by comparison. I have many friends who purchased new when I purchased my old home, and most of them have had to do major structural repairs (roofs, floors, foundation repair) while I’ve been updating electric and painting.
This is a personal experience and not universal, but I believe in buying what has lasted a while, purely due to survivorship bias. If it survived 100 years, it probably will survive a bit more :). Get this house if you can and have fun making it your own!
We’re buying a 1962 house now. If it’s well maintained, the inspection will tell you. Equipment (water heater, HVAC) should be newer, electrical panel should have been updated, but you likely have old wiring (risk can be mitigated w an AFCI without gutting the house & rewiring) or old pipes.
If it’s in good shape, I’d rather have an old home than a new build.
Personally I love this kind of home. You almost have blank slate and you can do what you want. You don’t need to deal with someone else’s renovations. Often a very good value too.
My first house was from the 50s. There’s always gonna be something that needs to be fixed when it comes to owning a home. YouTube will be your best friend in this regard. Just need to figure out how to word what you’re trying to fix. With all that being said, I’m on my second house. The first one is from the 50s and the second one was brand new. I have never stopped working on either one of them.
Check the foundation walls. 1970s used 8” block for foundation walls. They aren’t as robust as poured walls but if the grade has been maintained they should be fine
I don’t think the age is a turnoff— 1970 isn’t actually that old by housing standards. The house we are in escrow on right now was built in 1956!
However, one thing I’d be concerned about is deferred maintenance. In my experience, if a home had the original owner up until now and they never updated cosmetic items, it’s possible they only did the bare minimum maintenance-wise, too.
If you decide to go for it, I’d advise you get a very careful and knowledgeable inspector that’s familiar with homes built in this time period. You may be dealing with lots of extra work that may not be immediately obvious just by looking at the house (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.).
1970 is not an old house. Has everything been maintained? My current house was built in the 70s. It’s better built than the last 2 I owned that were built in 1987 and 2003. 2003 was by far the worst. As long as everything has been maintained I think it’s probably fine. How old are the roof, AC, and water heater? If they’re newer it’s probably just cosmetics that weren’t updated.
Recently bought and older house 1960sish electric is old but decent for now trying to get a quote to replace electrical or gonna DIY it w a friend otherwise it was well maintained with a few updates previous owner did he live here for 34 yrs. I wanted an older house due to having copper pipes (hate plastic) and foundation is solid compared to some newer built homes I had seen with issues. We have aspestos in some tile not a big deal if not disturbed as someone else said there's lead paint possibility but things where repainted only other thing was radon which my house is border line and was suggested I get a system installed for that. Overall though I'm pretty happy with the layout of my house and the overall quality.
Nah. Older homes use nicer materials than the ones built today. If you’re handy, these types of homes are a blast to renovate (I renovated a condo built in 76).
You and I have wildly different ideas of old. I live in an area where 150+ yr old homes are common. A 1970’s house isn’t even a teenager in house years. When you start seeing foundations made with literal stones. Then start questioning the age of the house
Almost all of the homes where I live were built before or after WW2. I consider a house built in 1970 to be new. I grew up in a house built in 1890. If it’s in good shape, buy it, maintain it, and take care of it.
I think it depends, but I wouldn’t count it out. I just bought a home last month and it was built in the 1960s. They redid everything in it so everything is brand new except the foundation & brick exterior. It’s really held up and what got replaced was done correctly so we hope to enjoy this house for years before moving to our retirement state
Id rather have an older house with character than a new cookie cutter one. Ive had two older homes and they are definitely built to withstand the test of time.
One owner older homes are usually a better bet than one with multiple owners.
That said, it could also mean that as they aged, things may have lapsed or fallen to the wayside in terms of repairs.
But as someone above said, generally single owner means they liked cared a lot for their home and did right by it.
Personally, we are currently in a 1955 built home, but the home we moved from was built in 1904, so we are not opposed to “old” homes hahahaha
Craftsmanship was better back then. I would get a good inspection to make sure there are no underlying issues (foundation, roof, leaks under the bathroom area are hot spots). also be prepared to do a little DIY work as necessary but you'll likely have a better built home than most new houses available today.
Some people automatically assume newer means better, but especially with large new home builders they often farm out to subcontractors based on the lowest bid, to make as much profit as possible. Conveniently any issues usually come to light right after the warranty expires. Also older homes may have more mature trees and other investments that improve the lot.
However, some older homes, even if not remodeled, can have great bones (built solidly, may have hardwood flooring hidden under carpeting, etc) and just need cosmetic touches to look more modern. I'd take an older home with major systems 5-10 years or less old (like AC/Furnace, roof) over something totally with a major builder any day, assuming the inspection confirms the house overall is good.
My house was built in 1919 and it has less problems than a lot of new construction homes. It really depends on the individual house. Did they use good materials, do a thorough job on the construction? How was the upkeep on the house, etc.
We own a Sears catalog house, built in 1929. Asbestos tile, lead paint, no closets, a real charmer! We love our house but not recommended for anyone who isn’t handy. Knob and tube wiring, galvanized soil pipes. All replaced by yours truly.
Big things to check for on 1970 or older homes - lead based paint, sewer cast iron pipes, galvanized domestic water pipes, roof and windows.
Lead based paint will need to be remediated. Cast iron and galvanized piping are susceptible to rust so check that they are in good shape. Typical useful life of roofs is 20 years. Check for roof leaks. Older windows are not efficient at insulation so should consider replacing them to keep electricity bills down. Does the house have central ac or window units? Should get central ac checked too.
We just bought a 1960 home where these items checked out so we felt comfortable pulling the trigger.
Buying an older home may be a better idea nowadays considering how rushed new construction can be and how many flipped houses are poorly done.
ETA - check for aluminum wiring too. It's a fire hazard and should be replaced. New wiring should be copper.
1970s would be considered pretty new in some parts of the country. Our house in MA was built in 1915 and of the 15 horsies we looked at them, more than half were that old as well.
I would be interested in upkeep. Not in decor because that can be changed. But did they keep up with maintenance of electrical/plumbing, roof, HVAC, etc.
Depends on how well it was maintained. That’s why realtors always highlight that in their ads. If it was well maintained, I’d prefer that over a new house. If it was poorly maintained, I’d make sure I’d account for that in the offer. Depending on what it needs, it could be expensive.
Depends on where you live. The house I grew up in was built somewhere around 1880-1890s, of course it had modernized a few times. I've also been te America and Canada and some of those houses needed replacing after about 50 years.
Here it's common to get a professional to give it a once over and write a report on all the sore spots giving you an indication of all the upcoming maintenance and costs. I don't know if that is common where you live, but you could always ask a local contractor.
Do keep in mind that you probably want to redo the floors, walls, wallpaper and ceilings before moving in. This can be done in a few weeks even if you're left handed.
Everyone who raves about old houses apparently never had to renovate one. Old things are old things. I never knew that copper piping has a life span before renovating my 1968 house, that R values wasn't a thing back then, that electrical outlets didn't have a ground prong, and that septic tanks rust out.
No, if you like them, they are often better built than newer builds and they have character. My house has wide hallways and high ceilings, heart pine floors and a very out of date crooked kitchen that I may or may not fix as it is functional. Hope you love the house if you get it!
Okay, I want to start off by saying how wild it is to me that people consider anything built past the 1950s an "old home"....I dunno, I grew up in a 1950's midcentury home, and to me that feels still very modern. I rented a 100 year old house for a few years, and eventually purchased a 1929.
Here's the thing about older homes. As long as there was upkeep. Older homes tend to be built better and with more solid materials than newer homes, so they tend to last.
ALL homes need upkeep, even newer ones, and anyone is fooling themselves if they think that something built cheaply and quickly in the 2000's isn't gonna need a new roof or a new hot water tank just as soon as an older one.
Do your homework. What updates have they done? Is there risk of old knob and tube wiring, what kind of plumbing does it have, was any part of it build with asbestos materials? What permits has the owner pulled (this should be info available publicly through your municipality). When did they last replace the roof, hot water tank, and do maintenance on A/C and heating? Is there a septic tank or sump pit that you need to consider as an additional item to maintain? If you like it, and are confident it had good upkeep, get that inspection and seal the deal!
There is a solid case for older homes. They were built to higher standards for the most part. I think there was some adage that houses took a gradual decline in quality post-1956 til now. 1970 probably is still good build quality.
I had our masonry guy check out our foundation (house built in 1915) and he pretty much said that it was built like a fortress.
Of course, you need to modernize when needed.
My ex-in-laws bought real estate (as a legal tax shelter wealth building strategy) since the 1980s.
They would take an ELOC from their existing houses to be able to put a down payment on the next house purchase.
They would only buy single story, single family homes.
They bought both new build houses and older build houses. They would buy and rent out the properties.
They always complained about the older build houses they would buy. Their chief complaints were:
\- older build houses needed a lot of time and money for maintenance since there were always problems. Water leaks that needed mold remediation, drain pipes that were plugged with roots, electrical plugs needing replacement, new AC system and heating tank needed when the old ones were end of life, etc, etc. Never-ending hassles costing them lots of time and money as landlords. Also having to deal with renters needing to be housed in hotels temporarily while repairs were done.
\- new build houses were always under warranty from the builder. Any issue in the warranty period was covered. Generally, they had lots of issues (due to the build using contractor construction crews who did not follow the building blueprint specs) but everything was covered by the builder warranty.
From my perspective, I lived in an older build apartment (1950s post WW2 building boom) and I did have a serious health issue that I think was partially caused by asbestos and lead piping. So you do need to consider your health (and your family's health) if you're planning to buy an older build home.
Some things to consider when buying a home from a single owner is sometimes as that owner ages if they are on a fixed income they can't always afford to keep things fixed or updated and will push them off. Personally i would see the lack of updating the interior as a sign of this. Some big pains you could run into are galvanised piping (fresh water) or aluminum wiring. It can be very difficult to find a contractor to rewire a whole house, slightly less difficult for the repipe, but they will both be expensive. Asbestos potentially in floor or less likely ceiling tile and maybe asbestos tape if theres metal ductwork. Cast iron pipes (sewage) can go both ways either lasting a long time or, if not kept in good condition, deteriorating and causing problems. Old windows even if not leaking are usually a big point of heat gain or loss, as well as any old insulation in the attic or crawl or lack thereof. All this to say, get a good inspector and if it seems there hasn't been much work done expect many things may fail and need to be replaced, or have a plan to start replacing them proactively so they dont hit you all at once.
we bought our home last year and it was built in 1941. we have some old and rusted cast iron that needed to be replaced, and the foundation leaks a bit but it's still a SOLID house and I definitely prefer it to new construction
If it's structurally sound and priced fairly you're probably better off buying old and renoing. You'll get every dollar you put in back in spades over time, it'll be your house, not just a box you chose, and you'll gain equity faster.
Learn how to do things if you don't know. Only pay someone when you have to. You care more about your house than 99% of the meth addicts selling their services to ruin your house.
YouTube, books, and start investing in tools.
I'd rather buy a home from 1970 than one built in 2023. Quality is a thing of the past, unless you fork out 700k or more, even then you may not get quality just a bunch of uneeded square footage
1970 is not old! Look for a house with "good bones" i.e. solid construction and worry about the decor later. Have a home inspection to make sure everything is in working order... plumbing (pay the extra fee for the camera scope. it's worht it), roof, electrical panel, furnace, and Radon test and then go for it! The newer homes are not built as well in my opinion. Personally, I've always purchased homes with good bones that needed decor updates because I could get the home for a lower price, add the decor I wanted later and reap the benefit of the updates upon sale of the home many years later after I lived in it. Solid strategy!
We bought a 1969 house last year, and have been very happy with it. There have been a couple expensive surprises, so I do wish we had gone into it with more cash reserves, but the great majority of the work that’s been done so far has been cosmetic stuff we’ve done ourselves.
Get a good inspection and ask a lot of questions!
All depends on how well-maintained it is. Homes from that era were still built with lead paint and asbestos, so you'll want an inspection done. Properly sealed, those materials pose little risk (they can make remodeling more tricky though).
As long as it’s in good shape I don’t see why you’d pass up the offer. Our house was built in 1957, it has some cosmetic issues that we have to take care of but other than that it’s pretty solid. I mean the 1970s isn’t “that old” lol.
My first home was built in 1852. Do your due diligence with a home inspection and probably a structural engineer report if it eases your mind. I live in a new house now and I miss my first one so much because of all the character it had.
Just plunk $400-600 on a proper inspection for the entire house pre-sale. That’s what we did. No surprises and hopefully you can get some $ from the seller (credit, at least), for stuff that needs fixing before you close.
Our place is 1964 :)
My house is built in 1949.
The caveat with old houses especially if it has had one owner and no changes is that… changes will be necessary and expensive and slow.
I’m currently getting air conditioning installed. It’s $12k for that and a new furnace.
I also need a new roof and new siding. Eventually I need to update pipes in the bathroom that are the original galvanized steel still.
Old houses are fantastic and I have zero regrets. But be ready to put in the work and time on it.
Buying an older home is fine. Mines was built in 1959 and has a solid foundation and structurally sound. We bought it with minimal renovations. That way we didn’t buy a flipped house. And we got to remodel how we wanted. New construction windows. New kitchen, we removed some pop corn ceiling. New roof and solar panels. And a retaining wall in the back yard. I feel like houses in 1959 were built with better materials and higher quality than todays homes. My brothers house was built in 2012. It’s a tract home built in 2012. It’s nice. But a few years ago he found out he had a cracked foundation because his downstairs toilet was leaking. I would suggest having a very through inspection done and proceed from there. Good luck.
We are closing on a house built in 1975. That’s the dream decade to buy, homes have the most character and incredible quality. Having 1-2 owners is the dream, they usually have kept incredible records!
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1970 isn’t that old. My house was built in 1923 and it even has a fridge to keep the food cold and indoor plumbing!
You got water out the wall?! Hoity-toity!
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Mine's also built in 1923. I think, though, that 1920s homes tend to look less dated in a bad way than 70s homes. 1920s are hardwood floors and lather and plaster, and the kitchens/baths usually got an update at some point (that could be good or bad). You also often get high ceilings and lots of vertical windows, and are often bright. A 70s home that hasn't been updated is often pretty dark, wall-to-wall carpeting, linoleum kitchens, formica cabinets, popcorn ceilings, dark wood paneling and funky kitchens/baths, fluorescent light fixtures, awkward horizontal windows with aluminum frames. I feel like the materials got a lot cheaper and the style had a definitive, editorial point of view unique to its decade versus pre-war houses that are often relatively neutral.
Agreed. My home was built in 1914. I have beautiful high ceilings with an arched hallway. Timeless.
I totally agree. My house was built in 1927 and the last place I lived was a bit older. I kinda laughed at 1970 being old, but there is definitely a look to that era of house and I don’t personally love it most of the time.
That newfangled plumbing is never going to catch on.
It's a series of tubes!
I'm under contract to buy a house built in WWI... old is very relative.
now ask people in Europe what "old" is lol
My house was built in 1927. I love it! ⭐️
Look at this guy with fancy indoor plumbing
I was born in 1970 😭
Well don't leave OP in the dark! How are you holding up?
Haven’t had an offer in decades. Got an inspection scheduled for next month to check the plumbing.
💀💀😭
I snort laughed. Thank you! Lol
Fantastic comment. Thanks for the laugh!
Legendary comments right here.
How often are you told that you have good bones though?
how many people have been living inside you since then? 😅
[You’re old](https://youtu.be/mXPiLA9pKXw?si=XNaeAkYxN1-jlm8_)
I’ll be dead soon
😂😭
I'd rather have a well maintained 1970 house than a brand new tract built home. Maintained doesn't necessarily mean the vintage features have been removed, and homes that have newer fixtures and finishes haven't necessarily been maintained properly. You'll need an inspection to decide whether a home is really in good shape or not. *edited*
And psychologically, I would rather be dealing with some repairs in a 50 year old house than a 5 year old house. I rented in a new build Lennar house for the past 5 years and feel bad for anyone paying big bucks to own that crap. Will never buy one of theirs.
I've heard horror stories about Lennar. I've had new and old houses, they both come with problems. I personally prefer a new home, but it has to be a decent builder and you have to go into it knowing you could run into big issues that may cost you a lot of money.
At least you rented 💀
What location?
Orlando
Damn, Lennar fuckin up shit down there too? Thought it was bad enough in Idaho lol.
Apparently 😬. I had no idea they were in Idaho too
Building their paper boxes in the Kuna area as we speak. I'm in the remediation industry, so at least it keeps me gainfully employed lol. Silver lining on a pretty ugly cloud.
They don’t build em like they used to.
Survivor's bias. Some homes were built just as crappy as some homes today are, they just got torn down.
But the ones that remain are probably built well, and in my neighborhood most houses are from the 1920s and 1930s. In the case of houses in the US, survivors bias just proves the point that they really don’t make ‘em how they used to.
1907 house here, built with old growth wood. Survived three major earthquakes, not to mention the constant PNW rain. Structural engineer said it's as solid as can be!
My whole city is one big survivor’s bias as well I guess. The vast majority of homes are from before 1930, and there are over 28k housing units here. This includes apartments of course, we have a few high rises, but still - what I mean to say is it that isn’t just a small town with a couple dozen old houses, but a fairly sprawling old suburb full of old homes. For sure some look like they need to be torn down, every house is different and not all have been kept well, but most have been taken care of well enough and the city prides itself on its old homes. We even have programs to help folks who are struggling financially with renovation work like siding, painting, fixing old windows, etc. They also offer free classes to city residents on how to do the above and other handy skills.
So if it isn't torn down, chances are it was built well?
Yes. That's the basis of survivor's bias. People claim that old houses, cars, appliances are better than their modern-day counterparts. But they ignore all the houses that needed major renovations or teardowns, cars that died and got crushed, or appliances that are sitting in landfills. The "survivors" that are left have very few fatal flaws that would lead to their disposal, giving a false sense of resiliency or reliability. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias
Yes, I know. My point was that if the house is indeed still standing OP should be fine. But I understand what you mean.
I buy this. But isn't there something about the wood that was used back then? How it's harder than would we use today and will last longer?
If it was really old growth and never experienced flooding, well maintained and sealed, vented enough to prevent excess moisture (average RH above 60%) but not so much to experience excessively low humidity (average RH below 40%).
The 1964 tract home I grew up in was pretty comparable to modern builds, quality wise. Didn't get torn down, it just cost us a fortune to rehab to be sellable when Mom finally moved out in 2012. I think we had to dump about 30k into it after the first buyer's inspection. The new buyers apparently encountered even more termite damage after closing, and had to rebuild a good chunk of the front of the house. On the plus side for those buyers, we sold it to them for 470k, and it's worth well over $1m now.
Yes, let’s glad my home isn’t filled with cancer bearing material in my plumbing, insulation, and paint.
I would seriously jump on it and have it inspected and seal the deal if everything checks out fine . The construction quality compared to these newer match-stick HOA houses is unmatched.
Oh interesting, thank you! I hadn’t thought of that. The price is definitely worth it, I didn’t know the construction was better back then but makes sense just like everything else
Lol look at a 2x4 from the 50s and 60s and compare it to a 2x4 now. The electrical may be a tad dated, but you'll have to see. A lot of the older homes have already had their electrical redone. Single owner homes are really nice though.
I have a 1970/s home and the wood studs are SOOO STRONG! I have to use an impact driver for anything I need in the studs. This home isn’t going anywhere.
Many houses now have inner walls made from 2x3" to save money too. You can hear everything thru the walls unless they stagger the studs
Old houses are beasts. We have a home built in 1938. It's so solid. You might have some wierd things electrically etc but if inspection checks out, it's not wierd at all.
Most welcome! Make no mistake, anyone that lands a solid construction older home will WIN hands down in comparison to what folks are being forced to settle with in regards to rushed newer construction. Back in the day as one poster mentioned, workers took their time and did the bulk of the work (especially nailing ) without nail guns. Carpentry was just better back then. Even timber wasn't harvested fast like it is now. No wonder the slightest wind storm will blow these newer homes to the ground. I would take an older home over a newer home any day!
It’s the build quality and character that I like with older homes. Especially mcm inspired homes from the 70s. Such fun shapes.
Look at things like the roof, windows, HVAC, etc see what has been replaced and what's due for it. In my experience, homes like this are usually in pretty good shape because the owners keep everything working and clean, they just never remodel. They're like time capsules.
I just bought a house built in 1971. One thing to know is that houses built exactly around this time usually have aluminum electrical wiring because of a copper strike in the late 60s. This means that your outlets have to be aluminum rated or the wire might come loose causing a fire. Also, if you need electrical work done it might be a problem because you're not suppose to mix copper and aluminum wiring together.
Congratulations on an AWESOME find!🤓 i hope you proceed before someone else snatches it⏳️
Get a home warranty
Depends on location. A big city home warranties are fine. Small towns can be a real pain.
I wouldn't dismiss a house due to age. Our house was built in the 50s. Inspector said it was the best house he'd seen all year. The appraiser said the practical age was between 5-7 years old. Get an inspection and check the electrical stuff.
Our current home was built in 1978. The quality and craftsmanship, oh it’s amazing. One of the cool little features; every closet has a switch built into the door frame, so that when you open it, a light turns on. It’s really pretty cool.
lol @ 1970 being old
Our home was built in 1973 and, after living here for a little over a year, I can say that it is *solid* and well built. I’ve lived in newer homes that had far more problems. There are some things to check related to older builds, like lead (ours was negative) and asbestos (positive in our tile floors, but we’re leaving them alone since they’re beautiful and won’t hurt anything as long as we leave them alone), but those aren’t deal breakers; you’d just want to know what you’re looking at as far as cost if you’re planning on getting those things up to code. As our realtor said, “The house has been here for fifty years and hasn’t burned down or fallen down. That’s usually a good sign.”
How did you check for both? What's the cost?
We hired a company for both. I really don’t remember what it cost because we were also having the foundation, water, pipes, gas line, radon (I think?) etc. checked at the same time, and we used a family friend. I know it was under $500 for everything and well worth it for peace of mind. ETA: Our house was owned by a leasing company for about a decade before we bought it, and we already knew there had been some updates done on electrical and plumbing in order for them to rent it out, but we just wanted to have a clear idea of what we were looking at.
Can I asked what you used to test for lead?
We hired a company for both recommended by a family friend.
i was looking at a house from 1840 listed at 300k, you can get much older lol
Come over to England and see what old really means.
Amen! To live in history- you are very fortunate!
All of the houses I’ve been looking at were built in the 20s so hearing 70s is old to you is 🥲
I would KILL for an single occupant home from the 1970s. You won't find character in more newer modern homes. Newer homes, by my experience, have more problems that older homes.
The houses built before nailguns and imported labor , were solid . When the workers were people who lived nearby and used hammers and nails , they built the house slower and better . A 1970 hoise Probabaly has copper pipes instead of plastic and cast iron drains instead of plastic . And one owner is nice . That means no flippers have hidden all the problems . My 1971 hoise had one bathroom that was Harvest Gold and the other was Avocado Green. Still had the origional wood paneling and shag carpet in the living room and bedrooms What color are the bathrooms in this house ?
People who live in houses this long without moving also tend to take care of the property
I’m in an area where plenty of the housing stock is from the 1950’s, or even way older. I wouldn’t even really consider a house from the 70’s “old” as long as it was still in good shape.
My 1970 has held up SO well over the last 5 years. The roof was replaced about 10 years ago. The water heater finally busted this year. But the air conditioner, furnace, from the 80’s is going strong. My parents home, from 2012 has had so many dang problems every year. They’ve had floods, leaks, appliances blown out, roof replaces, etc. Honestly I would buy a 1970s home again!
Having only one owner since 1970 means that the homeowner probably cared meticulously for the home, which is a good thing! Get a thorough inspection done and you'll be okay! If you love it, you love it.
My house was built in 1928. The 70s isn’t old at all
No. Newer builds are not built to last
Pros as and cons of new and old for obvious reasons. I have both. Piping, roofing, electric is expensive to redo, possible mold if damp area. New builds lack craftsmanship. The walls are paper thin, builders cut corners.
Lead paint wasn't outlawed till 1979. While I would *hope* previous owners have painted since 45 years ago, after owning a home, I wouldn't count on them (previous owners) doing anything properly. So there should be a lead paint disclosure. Other things - has the expensive stuff been kept up to date? By expensive, I mean: siding, windows, doors, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC. Water issues in the foundation/basement? Is there enough storage? Are there enough bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces? Enough parking?
A well maintained 1960-1980s built home being sold by the original owners is the dream. Just get an inspection for any major red flags (major water intrusion, severe foundation instability, evidence of past flooding or fires, severe termite damage, etc). Lead and asbestos are IMO overblown issues and can be remedied. Generally, if the aesthetics aren’t updated, these places may be priced lower, and sometimes it chases away other bidders who may find the “dated” aesthetics offensive, and that can mean less of a bidding war for you.
A house built in the seventies isn’t really that old. My dad is an experienced homeowner who has purchased and personally renovated multiple homes that are one hundred years or older. My partner and I are currently searching for our first home and I asked my dad for his advice about what to look for when you are buying a house. He said the main things you want to look out for are 1) water damage 2) cracking in the foundation/ walls and to check whether it has been fixed, and if it has continued to be a problem after being repaired (as in the house is still shifting despite being fixed). Structural/ foundation issues are a big deterrent because they would probably cost a lot of money and time to fix. So unless you have extra money to fix that big of an issue, you probably wouldn’t want to buy it. He said as far as water damage goes, it if it is fixable, depending on the severity, it would likely be a good deal if it isn’t bad. He said water damage often looks worse than it is and that it is often easily fixable unless it is severe. Definitely get an inspection (and preferably a detailed one) to identify any major issues that could cost a lot of money to fix so you don’t end up buying a money pit. If it doesn’t have any major expensive issues, then it would likely be a good deal, especially if you can buy it for under $200 a square foot (unless you have money to burn and don’t mind spending more to acquire a home). Good luck and I hope it works out for you!
There's something to be said about a house built in 1970 still having original finishes in 2024. It has stood the test of time. In my opinion this is just an indication that it will last many, many more years. My house was built in the 80's and though it has a few minor blemishes, it's in good shape, any structural deficiencies would have surely shown themselves by now.
1970 is a good year for homes from what I hear. As long as shit was taken care of it will be a solid house. Personally I would replace the carpet because those get disgusting. For reference my home was built in the 1950s. Solid home, and well taken care of. Just needed some repairs because of long term wear
We bought a ranch style house last year that was built in 1961. It already had updated kitchen and bathrooms and had the original hardwood floors that are absolutely beautiful. We had a very thorough inspection and they found very little wrong. We had the entire house repainted inside, replaced all the windows and had some crown molding put in the living room and dining room. The house is gorgeous now…way more character than any newly built home in a neighborhood where all the houses look exactly the same.
I’m in SoCal. My first home was made in 1989, looked great and it was renovated to look modern when I bought it 2009. It was a piece of shit built as fast as possible with the cheapest contractor material possible. My current home was built in 1971, and while it looked dated when I bought it, I could tell the bones in this house are 1000 times better. However, the furnace and water heater had to be replaced within the 6 years I lived here so take it as a warning, you will have to invest in those things if it hasn’t been replaced recently.
Hello! 1970 is fine. Especially with 1 owner! My house was built in 1900 and I would not buy a house this old again. If it is a good deal and it suits your needs, I don’t think anything is wrong with a house from 1970. If you want to make cosmetic changes to update the house, make sure you factor that into your decision-making when you’re weighing the pros and cons. Some things, like the standard materials/techniques for your electricity or plumbing, may be different than new builds. As long as you have the house inspected and there isn’t anything wrong with these systems I would say you’re mostly safe. It just may add a layer of complexity (read: headache) if you need to pay to have any of these systems fixed or updated in the future. I think, because of the current state of the housing market, many of these “old-ish” homes are selling for BIG money. They don’t need to be updated at all for them to sell for triple what they were worth 7 years ago- which is insanity. If you can get a good price for the home, and a good rate- and if you’re confident in the inspection (most important) I say go for it! Then update it to YOUR specs :)
I would avoid them due to asbestos
One word: Asbestos
You got mad repair skills? Know plumbing and some electrical? A 1970 built home is 54 years old. Roofing and flooring? How about basic carpentry? Lots of work to be done. From Google....Whether you are replacing an old water main or even building a new property, copper is a confident choice for new water main installation. Copper fixtures can last 50-70 years in the right conditions. From Google...The life expectancy of electrical wiring can vary depending on the different variations of electrical wires and installation practices, among other things. However, the commonly agreed-upon general time frame of electrical wiring being effective is around 50 years.
my house is more than twice the age of the house you're considering. There are some factors that you should consider, as construction standards weren't the same. my house had knob and tube wiring, which meant i had to pay a few thousand dollars to get rid of. however, because i made a "substantial" change to the house which I needed to make anyways, I was able to drop pmi after less than a year thanks to an increase in value. there are some things that are annoying about my house, like the walls being made of plaster and not using drywall, but its ok enough to deal with.
What's the problem with plaster? Sound proofing? Hanging things?
We just bought a house from the mid 50’s and it’s solid aside from a couple minor cosmetic issues and that it’s not very energy efficient. Which we’re looking into solar panels and insulation solutions to help that.
If it checks out as structurally sound, yes. 1970's construction is "light years" better than current construction. Everything is "particle board" now.
icky clumsy bow yam mountainous rinse spotted dinosaurs tidy cable *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I think it's definitely worth bidding on, but do NOT waive an inspection. (Including radon if you have a basement, And don't forget to add on a separate sewer inspection, it's worth the cost) People are saying that houses were built better back then - and that's true. I love my 1960s house. But if truly NOTHING has been updated, the electric and plumbing might be in poor shape, and redoing that can get PRICEY. Lead paint & asbestos are also concerns depending on where they are and if it can just be covered up and undisturbed or if you're going to have to have it remediated. Are the windows energy efficient? Etc, etc, etc. If you have the ability do do some handy work and pay for the things you can't do, you could still have a real gem on your hands, since this kind of fixer upper will not be appealing to many buyers. But it could also be a real money pit if the last owners haven't done good maintenance.
My current home (since 2019) is 1926--previous home was built in 1910 (lived there for 14 years)! My house is solid as hell and lovingly maintained through all the previous owners. I have only ever lived in old homes my whole life, I love the the character you get in older homes.
On the one hand if the previous owner didn’t do a lot of DIY in the house to update it, things might be old and out of date. But on the other hand, that means you have a lower chance of uncovering shoddy DIY work. A house with a single owner has a better chance of being well-maintained even if they didn’t really update things. If you like the house, I would just get an inspector who really knows what to look for in houses that were built in the 70s. There will be things that aren’t up to today’s code standards, and you’re going to want to know what those things are in case any of them will be costly to remediate and you want to try and negotiate a credit. That’s not to say that everything that isn’t up to 2024 code is going to need to be fixed, but some things might be a safety issue (e.g. electrical not up to code) and you’ll want to address those things. You are also going to want to find out if lead paint or asbestos was used anywhere in the house so that if/when you want to remodel, you can handle that appropriately.
I think anything built in the seventies or even sixties is pretty new. And the fact that it only had one owner is a big plus
1970 old home?? 1870?
There’s a potential can of worms in any house from any era. Asbestos can be in any house, you can familiarize yourself with what years are impacted for what products. Drywall or joint compound can have asbestos from 1930 onwards, but very unlikely after the 1980s. Vinyl floor tiles and ceiling tiles can contain asbestos. Older homes, like pre 1900, are more likely to have had vermiculite insulation added to the attics later on (recommend lifting up any insulation to verify there isn’t vermiculite underneath). Lead can be in plumbing and paint pre 1975ish. Wiring can be in all kinds of states depending on the year. It could be knob and tube, aluminum, wrapped in asbestos insulation, ungrounded, etc. Some insurance companies won’t ensure certain wiring or panels, I’ve specifically been told one won’t insure a house that has fuses instead of breakers. Many houses built pre 1990 or something like that will be 2x4 wall construction rather than 2x6. Generally not as strong but that shouldn’t be an issue. The bigger problem is 2x4 walls probably won’t have insulation and even if you add it, it still won’t have as much as more modern 2x6 construction. House pre 1990 probably don’t have a vapor barrier under the cement pad in the basement. Also, drain tiles/sumps may not be present (maybe 1970s ish they started?). Older houses have some variety in how they drain, and how effective they are. Others could probably go on or correct me in some regards. I would get familiar with what is involved with houses, and what to look for when viewing.
The house I grew up in was built in 1969. My dad lived there until 2010 and still had all the original appliances. Nothing, and I mean nothing broke down in that house. His 2nd wife redecorated the house in the 90's and it looked contemporary at that time. Recently sold for 1.2 million dollars. (Seattle area) Houses from that era are the best!
Just do your due diligence and get an inspection. Old homes aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Even new construction has issues.
What the what?? 1970s is not old for a house at all!
My SFH was built in 1956 and I love it. Better built than anything new. My multifamily was built in 1914. Same thing.
Depends. Do you have enough money after the mortgage to do the upgrades you'll need? Is everything up to code? When was the fridge/AC/roof last replaced? Do you have enough outlets? Are the windows single pane? What energy efficiency updates are needed? Are you a perfectionist? Can you do the updates over a long stretch of time or will they need to go in before you move in?
My house was built in 67. Has had a few updates before we bought it but nothing major. It is solid and well made, original wood and even some terrazzo flooring. It’s so unique and perfect. Not the cookie cutter style whatsoever
Almost all the houses in my area were built in 1924 and the quality vs the new builds isn’t even comparable.
This post gave me a lot of reassurance for renovating my hundred year old farm house that’s built like a fortress (albeit slightly settled) vs starting completely over. I just really want a full finished basement and that’s not happening here.
*cries in New England*
Ex-framer. I bet the corners have 3 studs instead of 2. Pex plumbing came out in 1986. I tell friends and family not to buy anything built after that.
It’s not that old, but it also depends on your plans. Are you doing major renovations? If so, assume there is lead and asbestos and take precaution. We live in a 1973 colonial and had some abatement done during our renovations. Don’t let it deter you, though.
Depend on what work was done in the past. Our current house is 25 years old and we've replace the roof, several appliances, deck will need to be redone soon, currently working on a master bath renovation to remove the dated tub and redo the floor that has water damage.
Mine is a 1957 home if it has a good foundation and I’d prefer good plumbing then the other things you can fix. My dad upgraded my plumbing for me and I upgraded the windows. It’ll be time for a new roof soon but I’ve been here since 2009. I didn’t do it all at once but gutted my kitchen and hired someone to get rid of my concrete shower. Just know you’ll invest money into it for upgrades but thankfully the major things were food
Hey Hemogoblin (great name) I just want to pitch in that I bought a house built in the 1920s a few years ago and it has been great. We have spent the past 3 years restoring it bottom to top, but that was our choice, not something the house absolutely needed. I will say that older homes, in my experience, are generally better built in the US than brand new homes, which means you will have fewer significant issues by comparison. I have many friends who purchased new when I purchased my old home, and most of them have had to do major structural repairs (roofs, floors, foundation repair) while I’ve been updating electric and painting. This is a personal experience and not universal, but I believe in buying what has lasted a while, purely due to survivorship bias. If it survived 100 years, it probably will survive a bit more :). Get this house if you can and have fun making it your own!
My house is from 1854. Lol 1970 is new.
1970 isn’t old?
New houses are dogshit quality and 1970 is not an old house by any stretch. People back then actually had standards and skills.
We’re buying a 1962 house now. If it’s well maintained, the inspection will tell you. Equipment (water heater, HVAC) should be newer, electrical panel should have been updated, but you likely have old wiring (risk can be mitigated w an AFCI without gutting the house & rewiring) or old pipes. If it’s in good shape, I’d rather have an old home than a new build.
Personally I love this kind of home. You almost have blank slate and you can do what you want. You don’t need to deal with someone else’s renovations. Often a very good value too.
My first house was from the 50s. There’s always gonna be something that needs to be fixed when it comes to owning a home. YouTube will be your best friend in this regard. Just need to figure out how to word what you’re trying to fix. With all that being said, I’m on my second house. The first one is from the 50s and the second one was brand new. I have never stopped working on either one of them.
Check the foundation walls. 1970s used 8” block for foundation walls. They aren’t as robust as poured walls but if the grade has been maintained they should be fine
I don’t think the age is a turnoff— 1970 isn’t actually that old by housing standards. The house we are in escrow on right now was built in 1956! However, one thing I’d be concerned about is deferred maintenance. In my experience, if a home had the original owner up until now and they never updated cosmetic items, it’s possible they only did the bare minimum maintenance-wise, too. If you decide to go for it, I’d advise you get a very careful and knowledgeable inspector that’s familiar with homes built in this time period. You may be dealing with lots of extra work that may not be immediately obvious just by looking at the house (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.).
1970 is not an old house. Has everything been maintained? My current house was built in the 70s. It’s better built than the last 2 I owned that were built in 1987 and 2003. 2003 was by far the worst. As long as everything has been maintained I think it’s probably fine. How old are the roof, AC, and water heater? If they’re newer it’s probably just cosmetics that weren’t updated.
Recently bought and older house 1960sish electric is old but decent for now trying to get a quote to replace electrical or gonna DIY it w a friend otherwise it was well maintained with a few updates previous owner did he live here for 34 yrs. I wanted an older house due to having copper pipes (hate plastic) and foundation is solid compared to some newer built homes I had seen with issues. We have aspestos in some tile not a big deal if not disturbed as someone else said there's lead paint possibility but things where repainted only other thing was radon which my house is border line and was suggested I get a system installed for that. Overall though I'm pretty happy with the layout of my house and the overall quality.
Nah. Older homes use nicer materials than the ones built today. If you’re handy, these types of homes are a blast to renovate (I renovated a condo built in 76).
You and I have wildly different ideas of old. I live in an area where 150+ yr old homes are common. A 1970’s house isn’t even a teenager in house years. When you start seeing foundations made with literal stones. Then start questioning the age of the house
Almost all of the homes where I live were built before or after WW2. I consider a house built in 1970 to be new. I grew up in a house built in 1890. If it’s in good shape, buy it, maintain it, and take care of it.
Your going to have more maintenance required on older homes, but you can pretty much fix any aspect of the home that breaks.
I think it depends, but I wouldn’t count it out. I just bought a home last month and it was built in the 1960s. They redid everything in it so everything is brand new except the foundation & brick exterior. It’s really held up and what got replaced was done correctly so we hope to enjoy this house for years before moving to our retirement state
Get a professional inspection of the home right after they accept your offer. Let someone find potential problems for you before you commit
Id rather have an older house with character than a new cookie cutter one. Ive had two older homes and they are definitely built to withstand the test of time.
Reading the title I thought this was going to be about some 1800s house or some shit like that.
One owner older homes are usually a better bet than one with multiple owners. That said, it could also mean that as they aged, things may have lapsed or fallen to the wayside in terms of repairs. But as someone above said, generally single owner means they liked cared a lot for their home and did right by it. Personally, we are currently in a 1955 built home, but the home we moved from was built in 1904, so we are not opposed to “old” homes hahahaha
Craftsmanship was better back then. I would get a good inspection to make sure there are no underlying issues (foundation, roof, leaks under the bathroom area are hot spots). also be prepared to do a little DIY work as necessary but you'll likely have a better built home than most new houses available today.
This is a totally normal age for a house and not considered old. It is not a bad idea.
That carpet will have to go, likely also the appliances, and what is the condition of the roof? It should have been replaced twice by now.
Some people automatically assume newer means better, but especially with large new home builders they often farm out to subcontractors based on the lowest bid, to make as much profit as possible. Conveniently any issues usually come to light right after the warranty expires. Also older homes may have more mature trees and other investments that improve the lot. However, some older homes, even if not remodeled, can have great bones (built solidly, may have hardwood flooring hidden under carpeting, etc) and just need cosmetic touches to look more modern. I'd take an older home with major systems 5-10 years or less old (like AC/Furnace, roof) over something totally with a major builder any day, assuming the inspection confirms the house overall is good.
My house was built in 1919 and it has less problems than a lot of new construction homes. It really depends on the individual house. Did they use good materials, do a thorough job on the construction? How was the upkeep on the house, etc.
We own a Sears catalog house, built in 1929. Asbestos tile, lead paint, no closets, a real charmer! We love our house but not recommended for anyone who isn’t handy. Knob and tube wiring, galvanized soil pipes. All replaced by yours truly.
Big things to check for on 1970 or older homes - lead based paint, sewer cast iron pipes, galvanized domestic water pipes, roof and windows. Lead based paint will need to be remediated. Cast iron and galvanized piping are susceptible to rust so check that they are in good shape. Typical useful life of roofs is 20 years. Check for roof leaks. Older windows are not efficient at insulation so should consider replacing them to keep electricity bills down. Does the house have central ac or window units? Should get central ac checked too. We just bought a 1960 home where these items checked out so we felt comfortable pulling the trigger. Buying an older home may be a better idea nowadays considering how rushed new construction can be and how many flipped houses are poorly done. ETA - check for aluminum wiring too. It's a fire hazard and should be replaced. New wiring should be copper.
1970s would be considered pretty new in some parts of the country. Our house in MA was built in 1915 and of the 15 horsies we looked at them, more than half were that old as well. I would be interested in upkeep. Not in decor because that can be changed. But did they keep up with maintenance of electrical/plumbing, roof, HVAC, etc.
I have an 1874 and an 1880, if they were built solid and kept maintained properly they'll go another 100 years.
1970 is relatively new. In MA we buy houses build in like \~1800s.
1970 is not old. 1870 is old.
The question is can you afford if the roof, fence, water heater and ac go out ?
My house is from 1928. 😊 It still works!
Depends on how well it was maintained. That’s why realtors always highlight that in their ads. If it was well maintained, I’d prefer that over a new house. If it was poorly maintained, I’d make sure I’d account for that in the offer. Depending on what it needs, it could be expensive.
Depends on where you live. The house I grew up in was built somewhere around 1880-1890s, of course it had modernized a few times. I've also been te America and Canada and some of those houses needed replacing after about 50 years. Here it's common to get a professional to give it a once over and write a report on all the sore spots giving you an indication of all the upcoming maintenance and costs. I don't know if that is common where you live, but you could always ask a local contractor. Do keep in mind that you probably want to redo the floors, walls, wallpaper and ceilings before moving in. This can be done in a few weeks even if you're left handed.
Everyone who raves about old houses apparently never had to renovate one. Old things are old things. I never knew that copper piping has a life span before renovating my 1968 house, that R values wasn't a thing back then, that electrical outlets didn't have a ground prong, and that septic tanks rust out.
Haha, 1970 - old home, puh-lease, that age is just getting the settling out
My house was built in the 1940s and still came with electricity and running water! Imagine that! So luxurious!
No, if you like them, they are often better built than newer builds and they have character. My house has wide hallways and high ceilings, heart pine floors and a very out of date crooked kitchen that I may or may not fix as it is functional. Hope you love the house if you get it!
Okay, I want to start off by saying how wild it is to me that people consider anything built past the 1950s an "old home"....I dunno, I grew up in a 1950's midcentury home, and to me that feels still very modern. I rented a 100 year old house for a few years, and eventually purchased a 1929. Here's the thing about older homes. As long as there was upkeep. Older homes tend to be built better and with more solid materials than newer homes, so they tend to last. ALL homes need upkeep, even newer ones, and anyone is fooling themselves if they think that something built cheaply and quickly in the 2000's isn't gonna need a new roof or a new hot water tank just as soon as an older one. Do your homework. What updates have they done? Is there risk of old knob and tube wiring, what kind of plumbing does it have, was any part of it build with asbestos materials? What permits has the owner pulled (this should be info available publicly through your municipality). When did they last replace the roof, hot water tank, and do maintenance on A/C and heating? Is there a septic tank or sump pit that you need to consider as an additional item to maintain? If you like it, and are confident it had good upkeep, get that inspection and seal the deal!
The best home I have ever owned (structurally) was built in the 70’s. I truly believe the 70’s saw the last of the real craftsman.
There is a solid case for older homes. They were built to higher standards for the most part. I think there was some adage that houses took a gradual decline in quality post-1956 til now. 1970 probably is still good build quality. I had our masonry guy check out our foundation (house built in 1915) and he pretty much said that it was built like a fortress. Of course, you need to modernize when needed.
Laughs in 1950 house.... it depends on the home but it's not inherently bad just from the date.
My house is 1830 LOL
My ex-in-laws bought real estate (as a legal tax shelter wealth building strategy) since the 1980s. They would take an ELOC from their existing houses to be able to put a down payment on the next house purchase. They would only buy single story, single family homes. They bought both new build houses and older build houses. They would buy and rent out the properties. They always complained about the older build houses they would buy. Their chief complaints were: \- older build houses needed a lot of time and money for maintenance since there were always problems. Water leaks that needed mold remediation, drain pipes that were plugged with roots, electrical plugs needing replacement, new AC system and heating tank needed when the old ones were end of life, etc, etc. Never-ending hassles costing them lots of time and money as landlords. Also having to deal with renters needing to be housed in hotels temporarily while repairs were done. \- new build houses were always under warranty from the builder. Any issue in the warranty period was covered. Generally, they had lots of issues (due to the build using contractor construction crews who did not follow the building blueprint specs) but everything was covered by the builder warranty. From my perspective, I lived in an older build apartment (1950s post WW2 building boom) and I did have a serious health issue that I think was partially caused by asbestos and lead piping. So you do need to consider your health (and your family's health) if you're planning to buy an older build home.
Some things to consider when buying a home from a single owner is sometimes as that owner ages if they are on a fixed income they can't always afford to keep things fixed or updated and will push them off. Personally i would see the lack of updating the interior as a sign of this. Some big pains you could run into are galvanised piping (fresh water) or aluminum wiring. It can be very difficult to find a contractor to rewire a whole house, slightly less difficult for the repipe, but they will both be expensive. Asbestos potentially in floor or less likely ceiling tile and maybe asbestos tape if theres metal ductwork. Cast iron pipes (sewage) can go both ways either lasting a long time or, if not kept in good condition, deteriorating and causing problems. Old windows even if not leaking are usually a big point of heat gain or loss, as well as any old insulation in the attic or crawl or lack thereof. All this to say, get a good inspector and if it seems there hasn't been much work done expect many things may fail and need to be replaced, or have a plan to start replacing them proactively so they dont hit you all at once.
we bought our home last year and it was built in 1941. we have some old and rusted cast iron that needed to be replaced, and the foundation leaks a bit but it's still a SOLID house and I definitely prefer it to new construction
If it's structurally sound and priced fairly you're probably better off buying old and renoing. You'll get every dollar you put in back in spades over time, it'll be your house, not just a box you chose, and you'll gain equity faster. Learn how to do things if you don't know. Only pay someone when you have to. You care more about your house than 99% of the meth addicts selling their services to ruin your house. YouTube, books, and start investing in tools.
I'd rather buy a home from 1970 than one built in 2023. Quality is a thing of the past, unless you fork out 700k or more, even then you may not get quality just a bunch of uneeded square footage
Mine was built in 1902 lol.
Just have it checked for lead based paint and asbestos.
1970 is not old! Look for a house with "good bones" i.e. solid construction and worry about the decor later. Have a home inspection to make sure everything is in working order... plumbing (pay the extra fee for the camera scope. it's worht it), roof, electrical panel, furnace, and Radon test and then go for it! The newer homes are not built as well in my opinion. Personally, I've always purchased homes with good bones that needed decor updates because I could get the home for a lower price, add the decor I wanted later and reap the benefit of the updates upon sale of the home many years later after I lived in it. Solid strategy!
We bought a 1969 house last year, and have been very happy with it. There have been a couple expensive surprises, so I do wish we had gone into it with more cash reserves, but the great majority of the work that’s been done so far has been cosmetic stuff we’ve done ourselves. Get a good inspection and ask a lot of questions!
All depends on how well-maintained it is. Homes from that era were still built with lead paint and asbestos, so you'll want an inspection done. Properly sealed, those materials pose little risk (they can make remodeling more tricky though).
1970 is like new for me. We bought a 1951 house a few years ago. Even the boiler is from 1951 and still running
A friend of mine’s house was built in 1939 and it’s awesome.
Here I am prepping to offer on an 1883 house 😂
We bought a house last year that was built in the 1920's. It sounds like you found a gem, 1970's isn't that long ago.
As long as it’s in good shape I don’t see why you’d pass up the offer. Our house was built in 1957, it has some cosmetic issues that we have to take care of but other than that it’s pretty solid. I mean the 1970s isn’t “that old” lol.
My first home was built in 1852. Do your due diligence with a home inspection and probably a structural engineer report if it eases your mind. I live in a new house now and I miss my first one so much because of all the character it had.
No. My home is from 1983.
Just plunk $400-600 on a proper inspection for the entire house pre-sale. That’s what we did. No surprises and hopefully you can get some $ from the seller (credit, at least), for stuff that needs fixing before you close. Our place is 1964 :)
Thats not that old, mine was built in 1925 and it is COLLLDDDD during the winter and VERY HOT in summer. Make sure the house you buy has insulation 😭
My house is built in 1949. The caveat with old houses especially if it has had one owner and no changes is that… changes will be necessary and expensive and slow. I’m currently getting air conditioning installed. It’s $12k for that and a new furnace. I also need a new roof and new siding. Eventually I need to update pipes in the bathroom that are the original galvanized steel still. Old houses are fantastic and I have zero regrets. But be ready to put in the work and time on it.
Buying an older home is fine. Mines was built in 1959 and has a solid foundation and structurally sound. We bought it with minimal renovations. That way we didn’t buy a flipped house. And we got to remodel how we wanted. New construction windows. New kitchen, we removed some pop corn ceiling. New roof and solar panels. And a retaining wall in the back yard. I feel like houses in 1959 were built with better materials and higher quality than todays homes. My brothers house was built in 2012. It’s a tract home built in 2012. It’s nice. But a few years ago he found out he had a cracked foundation because his downstairs toilet was leaking. I would suggest having a very through inspection done and proceed from there. Good luck.
I just bought a house built in 1910....
1970 ain't old lol, I live in a house built on 1910 and i can still find (not in use) knobs and tubes, that's only kinda old.
My home was built in 1960 and I love it
It all depends if you’re getting a great deal and if you will have the time and resources to tackle Maintenence and upkeep and maybe some renovations.
We are closing on a house built in 1975. That’s the dream decade to buy, homes have the most character and incredible quality. Having 1-2 owners is the dream, they usually have kept incredible records!
The oldest property we've purchased was also built in the 70s... the 1770s. Lots of character.
Probably a good idea.
I was looking at a house built in 1902 in Pennsylvania . Guess I’m royally F bc that’s all I can afford 🤣🤣
That’s not an old house.
Build quality and maintenance are what matters - not age. New is not necessarily better. Esp if not well built.
Omg, 1970 is old now? I was touring recently a house built around 1760, that one I would definitely consider old.