3 Essential Questions to Ask Before Buying a Family Home in Historic Neighborhoods

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Historic neighborhoods are full of character, impressive architecture, and an actual vibe from the past that so many families can’t help but fall for. These older neighborhoods typically have rad craftsmanship, stunning design elements, and beautiful, mature landscaping that you just don’t see in new construction. 

However, if you’re considering purchasing a family home in a historic district, you have to think a little harder than the standard home-buying checklist. Before you get all swoony-eyed over that Victorian house or Craftsman bungalow, you should ask yourself three important questions to determine if your ideal historic home will work for your family in the long term.

What Are the Environmental Safety Risks and My Legal Options?

The most important question families need to answer when they’re considering a historic house relates to environmental hazards that were prevalent in materials used decades ago. Properties built before 1980 have a high likelihood of containing asbestos, lead paint, and other poisonous materials that are extremely hazardous to health. 

For instance, asbestos was extremely prevalent in the insulation, roofing, floor tile, and pipe wrapping materials utilized in the 1970s and any exposure to these elements can lead to a highly dangerous type of cancer, called mesothelioma.

You need to arrange a comprehensive environmental inspection by professionals prior to investing in any historic property. They should inspect for asbestos in anything suspicious, sample lead paint, and inspect for other potential dangers such as mold or any structural issues.

It’s vital to get a handle on your legal rights when it comes to environmental hazards. If you find asbestos or other toxic material after you buy a property, you might have a claim against the previous owners, contractors, or property managers who didn’t make you aware of the risk. Just make sure that you talk to a local expert. For instance, if you’re in St. Louis, you want to work with a St. Louis mesothelioma lawyer to get the best assistance because they know all the local laws. 

How Do the Local Schools and Community Amenities Serve Your Needs?

Most historic neighborhoods have local schools with small class sizes, easy walkability, and high social cohesion that positively affect your child’s education. However, you should still be careful and understand that old school buildings can have some of the same issues as those historic homes. You must check out recent school updates, tech setups, and academic performance stats to make sure the education meets your high standards.

Apart from schools, you should also consider if the old neighborhood you choose has some impressive community amenities that enhance family living. For instance, you must look for a property in a neighborhood with historic parks, museums, libraries, and cultural centers.

What are the Long-Term Maintenance Requirements?

Historic houses require an entirely different maintenance strategy than new houses, and thus families need to evaluate their lifestyle needs and priorities as well as their budget. Professional advice is to budget 15% to 20% of the annual mortgage payment for maintenance and repairs, much greater than the average new home. The reason for the higher expense is the need for high-quality materials, skilled workers, and traditionally accurate methods necessary in order to preserve older homes. 

You must also take note that properties within designated historic districts may have architectural review board approval needed for exterior modifications, such as changing paint color, window style, and renovation plan. While these regulations maintain neighborhood character and property value, they can also escalate project costs and timelines, which is why you must know about these requirements before buying a house.

Endnote

The choice of buying an older family home involves comparing emotional appeal and practical factors. With a thorough investigation of environmental safety, education options, and future upkeep demands, families can make well-informed decisions that safeguard their health and investment.