House Purchase Advice

[Steve85]

You think the construction was better 30 years ago than it is now? What are you smoking son?!

Construction quality has always been spotty at best, it just depends on who the builder was. The older of a home you look at, the more likely it is that stuff is going to have to be replaced. AC units, furnaces, HWHs, the roof, the windows, etc. These are HUGE expenses that can come up literally a few years after you move in. Homes were not nearly as energy efficient in the past as they are now as well, so your monthly energy bills generally tend to be higher in older homes.

+1
Be afraid of old windows and heat pumps. Heat pumps are ineffective below 42 degrees. The supplemental heat comes on and dolla dolla bills fly out out the old crappy windows. They should not have been installed above the NC/VA border. I can't wait to switch to propane...

Of course you could bargain with it I guess, 8-12K for windows and an updated furnace..