Select Page

Old House Maintenance: The Complete Guide for Homeowners

by | Oct 4, 2021 | Home Maintenance, Property Management

Old House Maintenance: The Complete Guide for Homeowners

Homes are growing gray. The median age for an American home is 37 years. That means that roughly half of America’s homes were built before 1980. 

The odds are that you will live in an old home. This means that you must learn about old home maintenance. It’s easier than you think. 

What should you do regularly to maintain your home? What should be your primary focus to keep yourself comfortable? What are some threats to your property? 

Answer these questions, and you can keep your home as young as possible for years to come. Here is your quick guide. 

Draft a Seasonal Maintenance Schedule 

It would help if you did different things to stay comfortable in each season. In the middle of each season, write a house maintenance checklist of what you need to do to prepare for the next season. 

You should arrange for a tune-up on your cooling system in the middle of the spring. If you wait until June, you may struggle to find a timely appointment. It would help if you similarly asked for help for your windows in the middle of the fall so you can trap heat inside your house for the winter. 

Do not forget your roof in your regular home maintenance. Home insurance organizations paid out $13 billion for water damage in 2017. 

A primary reason for water damage is a leaking roof. First, check that all holes are filled in and add additional supports, so your roof doesn’t collapse. 

Focus On Heating and Cooling 

Many old homes struggle with keeping a comfortable temperature. This is often because the heating and cooling system is not working. 

But there are many fixes you can make to help keep things comfortable. You should add weather stripping to your doors and windows. You should put insulation into your attic, where most heat escapes an old house. 

Try to avoid stressing your HVAC unit too much. It can be hard to find a replacement, especially for an older house. If you need to warm yourself by a few degrees, put on an extra layer. 

Watch Out for Pests

One of the main differences between old and new construction homes is building materials. Old homes contain a lot of wood, which can attract different pests. For example, termites like to eat wood, while beetles like to build nests inside of wood. 

Pests require indoor and outdoor maintenance. First, inspect the soil against the foundation and walls of your house. If you notice tunnels, you may have problems burrowing into your home. 

It would help if you looked through your basement for any signs of pests. For example, you may notice them moving on your floor or building a nest. You should then call an extermination company to remove them.  

The Essentials of Old House Maintenance

Old house maintenance involves a few regular chores. You should adjust to the changing seasons and plan out steps in advance. But you must always protect your roof. 

You can focus on your heating and cooling system. Try to take some small steps to preserve it, like wearing extra layers. 

Be mindful of pests that feed on wood. They may burrow into your basement, so visit it with a good flashlight every once in a while. 

Turn to someone who knows about old homes. Market Source Real Estate serves the Salt Lake City area. Contact us today. 

Differences Between Old and New Construction Homes

by | Jul 8, 2021 | Property Management, Real Estate Tips

Differences Between Old and New Construction Homes

​The average potential buyer spends 10 weeks finding their home! Put yourself ahead of the competition by going into your house hunting journey by having a good idea of what you’re looking for before you get started.

One of the most important aspects of real estate is to familiarize yourself with the features of old vs. new homes. Read on to learn about the major differences.

Materials

Whoever said the phrase “they don’t make it like they used to” was probably talking about real estate.

Older homes are typically built with wood, while newer homes are usually made of concrete, depending on where you live. Even newer homes are built out of wood using a different wood quality than they did decades or even centuries ago.

It’s not just the base of the house that is built differently. Think plaster vs. drywall; old homes used plaster, a thick and almost concrete mixture when dried, while new homes have drywall, which is essentially a thick cardboard wall.  While drywall does have its benefits, it’s less durable.

Natural Light

This may not be something that a potential buyer would think of when buying a house, but it’s an aspect of the home design that can greatly impact the place’s vibe.

Older homes have more windows and let more light filter into the house. Newer models have energy-efficient, weather and light-blocking windows that help save money but let less sunlight in.

Energy

New homes are built with saving energy in mind, and the builders often tailor them to withstand the local weather.

Older homes may not be as energy-efficient because they were built before insulation became popular. In addition, houses built before 1965 have different electrical wiring systems that are much less effective and costly (fire hazard). However, if you fall in love with an old home but worry about the use and cost of energy, there is an option to rewire the house and take other measures to improve efficiency.

Design

Old construction homes tend to be smaller than new builds. For example, in 1960, the average square space of a new home was 1,289 square feet. In the 21st century, new constructions averaged around 2,500 square feet.

Old homes may have less surface area, but the design of old homes is conducive to feeling like there is more space. For example, older homes have narrower hallways that lead to large rooms with high ceilings. And there is certainly one thing for sure, old houses have more character than their new counterparts. Modern homes tend to have the same general open floor plan and are often described as cookie-cutter. However, old homes tend to have more personality. 

Location

Older homes tend to be closer to the city or town centers, while new construction is often pushed to the outskirts of town where there is space. Being secluded is a huge plus for some people, while others want to be right in the hustle and bustle.

Pricing

When you’re patrolling the market for a house, you’ll notice that older homes are usually less money per square foot than new builds. This is due to the rising cost of labor, land, and materials.

Teaming up with a real estate agent will give you the best opportunity to get a good deal.

You Decide: Old vs. New Homes

You’ve made your pros and cons list. You’ve considered all of the benefits of purchasing old vs. new homes. So now, how do you get your hands on a home to call your own?

Whether you fancy older construction homes or modern builds, Market Source Real Estate can get the home buying process started for you today. Contact one of our agents or browse our houses for sale in the Salt Lake City area.

Here’s Everything You Should Know About Old Houses (and Why You Should Buy One)

by | Apr 9, 2021 | Real Estate Tips, Vintage Homes

Market Source 928 N Terrace Hills

Buying old houses for restoration may seem like a beautiful idea. You’ll get to make the best of the property’s original features and bring a new lease on life to an old building. But there are some things that you’ll need to consider before taking the plunge. 

Older properties tend to be filled with character and charm. But what are the benefits of an old house? And what do you need to know about buying an antique home?

In this article, we’ll discuss why you should remodel an old home. 

Old Homes Are Cheaper Than New Homes

What differentiates an older property from a newer home? Largely, the materials that it’s built out of and the type of construction that’s gone into the home. 

Typically, a house can be considered old if it was built more than fifty years ago. 

Because an older home may be in need of some modernization, they are often cheaper to buy than new homes. This makes them ideal for first-time buyers, real estate investors looking for rental properties, and those looking to flip a property. 

Old Houses Are Often in Established Locations

When it comes to buying a property, location is often a key factor. That means how far it is from amenities such as schools and convenience stores. Because of the way that towns and cities are planned, older properties tend to be in very established locations. 

In the Salt Lake area, vintage homes tend to be in areas such as 9th and 9th, close to the University of Utah, the Avenues, and Sugar House. All of these are very desirable areas to live in and have very established communities. 

Old Homes Have More Character

Older properties tend to have a lot more charm and character than new builds. Often, old houses have period features that are quite unique and add real value to the surroundings. 

If character is what you’re looking for from your home, then you’ll not go wrong with a vintage property. 

Why You Should Work With Vintage Home Experts

When it comes to buying old homes, you’ll want to work with experts. Monique Higginson is an expert in restoring and selling vintage homes. She personally lives in an antique home and has had to carry out major repairs to 25 vintage homes in Salt Lake Valley in the past. 

A vintage home expert such as Monique will be able to advise you based on their in-depth knowledge of the various construction phases and problems that you might be met with when it comes to restoring an antique property. 

Restoring Old Houses 

Restoring old houses can be hard work, but it’s certainly rewarding. The benefits of owning a vintage property make the hard work you’ll need to put into restoring them all worthwhile. 

If you’re looking to buy an old house in the Salt Lake area, get in touch with Market Source Real Estate today or browse the range of properties for sale. 

​