Old Homes

[Cumberland]

We only have a week left in our home warranty, so I had the plumber come out to look at a teeny toilet leak and hot water heater drip. I get the news that we need a new toilet and our hot water heater is 14 years old, 4 years past its expected life span. The one AC unit went out two weeks ago but was fixed and the second one is currently at 86 degrees even though it is set on 75. Those are both 18 years old but the furnaces are older than that. Not to mention that our countertops are 1960s formica and both tubs and one sink are losing their enamel and there is no insulation in the laundry room so the AC is just pouring out there. And there is a huge pine tree that may be disrupting the foundation which will cost 2K to take down and we would have to resod the back yard. As the plumber told me yesterday, 'at least these old houses are built well".

[mommax3]

Sue Anne,

I am so sorry. I totally know what you are talking about.....our last home was over 50 years old, had not been well taken care of, and had huge oak trees growing all around it. We had to have our sewer drainage pipes run regularly or else our toilets would flush into the back yard, due to roots getting into the pipes. Everything in the house was old, old, old, and the stuff that had been re-done had been done by the previous owner, who fancied himself quite the handyman......NOT! It might be worth your while to pay to continue the home warranty if it covers a good amount of stuff.....just a thought.

I love older homes that have been kept up and updated appropriately. They ARE built well, they're charming, and they have lots of character, but after our past experience, I will never live in one again. Our realtor this time around had a saying......"trees are overrated" and although I love them, (and currently have none of them in my yard) after some thought, I had to agree with him. The trees at my old house were huge and GORGEOUS, but every time we had a thunderstorm or windstorm, I was afraid of what might happen. Not to mention the sewer problems we had!

Hang in there.....you will be able to choose a much different home in a little less than three years from now.

Sally

[SueC]

I can relate, our house is over 80 years old and we are constantly finding new things we need to replace or repair. We love the house, though, when we aren't grumbling about it.

[Sheherezade]

I love old houses. Really I do. Of course, that love is being challenged these days. Our house is getting close to 100 years old. It has lots of character, old mouldings, leaded glass windows, blah blah blah..... I value that and appreciate the "great construction". Still, this baby is one repair monster. We have just gone through the sewer thing Sally described with the sewer water backing up in the basement due to our beautiful huge old trees. Now, we have carpenter ants (probably from our beautiful trees again). Yeah!!

I feel your pain. They do have great features, though. New houses have problems too. Think of all the money you made in equity! That's got to cheer you up, right?

I'd consider extending the home warranty. I am signing up for service agreements right and left. I need help keeping this baby going!