102 year old house

sirmosh

Depends entirely on whether it's been looked after. My house is almost 200 years old and it's in better shape that a lot of post-war houses. All houses need maintenance so it depends if you're buying at a stage when it's just been done or if it needs to be done.

cattie

My house is about 107 years old and is the one of the most well built houses you could find. Solid internal walls that mean you get no noise from neigbouring properties, bags of character and charm, lots of storage space and spacious rooms. My bedroom is 18ft long and the 2nd largest bedroom is 16 ft long.

Yes, house needs maintenance to keep it in good order, but all houses do and spending money on a property you love doesn't hurt half as bad as money spent on a soul-less box.

Werdnal

Our house is 300 years old. The flat I rent out is in a converted warehouse that is around 150 years old.

As others have said, all houses need maintenance - the cost varies according to its size, build quality and the amount of regular care and maintenance invested by previous owners over the years, not just its age!

mandragora_2

1798. It needed a bit of work when we bought it, 25 years ago, but it's paid back every penny, and then some. if you like it, and the basic consruction is sound, and if you're planning to stay for some time, you make it your own, do any maintenance that needs to be done to the best possible standard you can manage, and play the long game. We've never regretted it.

paddyrg

My parents place is recorded as being occupied in 16-something, at their thickest some walls are over 3' thick slate. It has its own problems, but you know it is going to outlast everyone on this forum, their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren without blinking!

Strapped

arbrighton wrote: »

And we're attempting to purchase a house built in 1844. Non-standard construction, certainly, but still standing (and the surveyor is out there today, he was actually looking forward to going as it's more interesting that your standard boxy estate new build). Very thick walls and very warm.
A bit ironic that the 10 year old conservatory on this house is where the problems lie don't you think?

My house was built in the 1840s too. But they're probably both quite different to a 102 year old house. Without a few more details it's difficult to say whether there's likely to be issues. If it's a bog standard terrace then unlikely but older houses DO typically cost more to maintain. If nothing else, every time you want to do something, you find you have to update something else first!

megela

We've lived in both a brand new-build home & a 111yr old house and I know which I prefer!!

Within 5 years of living in the new build we'd replaced the shoddy draughty wooden double glazing. The internal walls were paper thin and we could hear almost everything that went on next door!

The rooms were tiny and the garden barely there. I know this must suit some people, but we now have so much space here along with a huge garden. The walls are so solid that sometimes we struggle to drill into them!

We have spent money on it, mainly on updating and decorating though - nothing urgent though, and unless you actually go for a brand new build you're still likely to have these costs anyway.

Friends of ours bought a 20year old house and had to replace the boiler within 2 weeks, then start installing new electrical sockets as there weren't enough.

As others have said I'd definetly recommend getting a full surveyors report to turn up any major problems, otherwise once your head has made a decision, listen to your heart and make sure you love the house as well.

And good luck with your decision.