Picking A Period Property - A Checklist
If you are currently on the hunt for a new home, you will already be busy looking around a lot of
different properties. You might have already realized that there is a lot for you to choose from -
houses sure do come in lots of different shapes and sizes!
different properties. You might have already realized that there is a lot for you to choose from -
houses sure do come in lots of different shapes and sizes!
One choice that you will need to make as you start to view different properties is whether you would
rather move into a modern home or a period property. The best way to answer this is usually to simply
consider your own tastes and living style. Some people prefer to live in a modern home that is fully
equipped with lots of smart technology, while others would be happier in a slightly older property that
might still have a lot of the original features with which it was built.
rather move into a modern home or a period property. The best way to answer this is usually to simply
consider your own tastes and living style. Some people prefer to live in a modern home that is fully
equipped with lots of smart technology, while others would be happier in a slightly older property that
might still have a lot of the original features with which it was built.
However, that isn't the only thing you will need to take into consideration when you are in the process
of buying a period property. There’s a whole bunch of other stuff that you will need to think about.
After all, period homes can be very old and the age of their structure might bring a few problems
once you move in. For instance, it could require you to carry out quite a bit of extra maintenance
and repair work than what you would want to. Not only will this be a lot of extra work, but it could
also prove to be very costly indeed.
of buying a period property. There’s a whole bunch of other stuff that you will need to think about.
After all, period homes can be very old and the age of their structure might bring a few problems
once you move in. For instance, it could require you to carry out quite a bit of extra maintenance
and repair work than what you would want to. Not only will this be a lot of extra work, but it could
also prove to be very costly indeed.
So, as you can see, it really is crucial to think long and hard when you are considering buying a period
property. Here are a few pointers for you to consider that will help make your choice an easier one.
property. Here are a few pointers for you to consider that will help make your choice an easier one.
Consider Your Budget
First and foremost, you need to think about your budget for a property. This is an important
consideration when it comes to buying any new house, but it is of even more importance when the
property is older than average. That’s because these kinds of homes often come with bigger price
tags because they still retain century old original features. But it’s not just the purchase price that
you will need to think about - you need to budget for any maintenance work that will need to be
completed once you move in. Some period properties that have structural damage or need some
major updating carrying out could end up being very expensive, so it’s always necessary to check your
budget and make sure that it can handle all the costs that will come your way.
consideration when it comes to buying any new house, but it is of even more importance when the
property is older than average. That’s because these kinds of homes often come with bigger price
tags because they still retain century old original features. But it’s not just the purchase price that
you will need to think about - you need to budget for any maintenance work that will need to be
completed once you move in. Some period properties that have structural damage or need some
major updating carrying out could end up being very expensive, so it’s always necessary to check your
budget and make sure that it can handle all the costs that will come your way.
A Return On Your Investment
If this isn't going to be your forever home, you will need to think about the property’s potential as an
investment opportunity. After all, you will no doubt want to make some money on the home when you
eventually come to sell it, no matter how far down the line that may be. So, when you view a period
property you need to think how easy it will be to sell at a later date. Will making some repairs and
updating the interiors help you increase the value of the house? If so, then there is potential for a
big return on your update, and the property could turn into a nice little earner for you.
investment opportunity. After all, you will no doubt want to make some money on the home when you
eventually come to sell it, no matter how far down the line that may be. So, when you view a period
property you need to think how easy it will be to sell at a later date. Will making some repairs and
updating the interiors help you increase the value of the house? If so, then there is potential for a
big return on your update, and the property could turn into a nice little earner for you.
Is It Listed?
You should always find out whether or not a property is listed before you commit to buying it.
This could have huge implications if you do want to carry out some structural or maintenance work on it.
In fact, when it comes to some listed properties, you will be unable of altering them at all. So, that’s
something that you need to find out before you buy the property. Otherwise, you could end up with a
very old house that you are unable to modernize enough to make it comfortable to live in. Plus, it
could be very difficult to sell on to someone else. So, before you sign on a dotted line, make sure
that you find out whether the property is listed or not and if there are any other restrictions on
future maintenance and building work.
This could have huge implications if you do want to carry out some structural or maintenance work on it.
In fact, when it comes to some listed properties, you will be unable of altering them at all. So, that’s
something that you need to find out before you buy the property. Otherwise, you could end up with a
very old house that you are unable to modernize enough to make it comfortable to live in. Plus, it
could be very difficult to sell on to someone else. So, before you sign on a dotted line, make sure
that you find out whether the property is listed or not and if there are any other restrictions on
future maintenance and building work.
Check The Drainage
If there is one part of property structure that most homes have an issue with, it has to be the
drainage. Some very old buildings will have been built with clay drains. Over time, these drains
will weather away and won’t be of much use at all. Not only that, though, but these types of drains
have lots of joints in them which can leak eventually. To make sure that you never have to deal
with these issues, you might want to replace the whole drainage system completely. Some period
properties might even have lead pipes in the draining system. These need to be replaced straight
away as all that lead could be poisonous.
drainage. Some very old buildings will have been built with clay drains. Over time, these drains
will weather away and won’t be of much use at all. Not only that, though, but these types of drains
have lots of joints in them which can leak eventually. To make sure that you never have to deal
with these issues, you might want to replace the whole drainage system completely. Some period
properties might even have lead pipes in the draining system. These need to be replaced straight
away as all that lead could be poisonous.
Lookout For Pests And Rodents
If the period property has been left empty for quite some time before you move in, you should check
for any pests and rodents who may have started to make it their own home. Rats, mice, cockroaches,
and ants are the main offenders in old houses. They always try to find quiet indoor areas where they
can find shelter and a little food and water. Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to rid your new home of an
infestation. The easiest way to do it is to call in the experts so you can take advantage of a
professional pest exterminator. Of course, if you want to keep your costs down to a minimum,
there are also some DIY pest control methods that you could use as well. For instance, fixing
any leaks in the property will get rid of the pest’s water source. Eventually, when they can’t get
enough to drink, they will move on to new pastures. There are also lots of homemade traps and
deterrents that you will be able to put down throughout the home.
for any pests and rodents who may have started to make it their own home. Rats, mice, cockroaches,
and ants are the main offenders in old houses. They always try to find quiet indoor areas where they
can find shelter and a little food and water. Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to rid your new home of an
infestation. The easiest way to do it is to call in the experts so you can take advantage of a
professional pest exterminator. Of course, if you want to keep your costs down to a minimum,
there are also some DIY pest control methods that you could use as well. For instance, fixing
any leaks in the property will get rid of the pest’s water source. Eventually, when they can’t get
enough to drink, they will move on to new pastures. There are also lots of homemade traps and
deterrents that you will be able to put down throughout the home.
Be Prepared For Underpinning
There’s a good chance that any period property you view will have had issues with leaking drains
in the past. This is, as I have previously mentioned, all to do with the old-style pipes that were
regularly used in these kinds of buildings. All of that leaking water can cause some deterioration
of the foundations. This can be quite a serious problem and you might need to carry out some
underpinning work to secure the structural integrity of the building. Some period properties might
have already been underpinned, so you should look into this before you buy. If it hasn’t been done,
then you might want to save up so that you can afford the work. It can be very costly as it requires a
lot of expert builders to carry it out.
in the past. This is, as I have previously mentioned, all to do with the old-style pipes that were
regularly used in these kinds of buildings. All of that leaking water can cause some deterioration
of the foundations. This can be quite a serious problem and you might need to carry out some
underpinning work to secure the structural integrity of the building. Some period properties might
have already been underpinned, so you should look into this before you buy. If it hasn’t been done,
then you might want to save up so that you can afford the work. It can be very costly as it requires a
lot of expert builders to carry it out.
Look Over Previous Work And Maintenance Reports
There will have been a lot of work and maintenance carried out to most period properties
over the years. Any recent work carried out in the past couple of decades should have some
associated reports. These would have been carried out by the builders or other contractors who
carried out the work. The reports act as guarantees for the work. It’s important that you get these
reports off the property seller as your lawyer might want to see them before they draft up contracts
for the sale.
over the years. Any recent work carried out in the past couple of decades should have some
associated reports. These would have been carried out by the builders or other contractors who
carried out the work. The reports act as guarantees for the work. It’s important that you get these
reports off the property seller as your lawyer might want to see them before they draft up contracts
for the sale.
Think About Green Alternatives
When houses were built a few hundred years ago, people weren’t that bothered about using
environmentally friendly construction methods or equipping their properties with eco-friendly energy
systems. So, there is a good chance that the period property you view won’t be very environmentally
friendly at all. You will have to look into getting some green alternatives installed and equipped in the
property. As you have probably already guessed, this could be very expensive indeed. Plus, it could be
very difficult to use certain environmentally friendly energies in certain old houses, especially if they are
located in remote areas.
environmentally friendly construction methods or equipping their properties with eco-friendly energy
systems. So, there is a good chance that the period property you view won’t be very environmentally
friendly at all. You will have to look into getting some green alternatives installed and equipped in the
property. As you have probably already guessed, this could be very expensive indeed. Plus, it could be
very difficult to use certain environmentally friendly energies in certain old houses, especially if they are
located in remote areas.
Retain Any Period Features
When you do look at period properties, you will see that there are quite a few original
features that you will have the option of keeping. For instance, many old houses will still have
their original beams in the ceiling. Another common period feature is a fireplace. When you move in,
you will need to consider if you keep these or not. One of the main advantages of keeping these
features is that they can help add value to the property. However, if they are in a poor condition,
then you will have to pay to have them restored, which could end up quite expensive.
features that you will have the option of keeping. For instance, many old houses will still have
their original beams in the ceiling. Another common period feature is a fireplace. When you move in,
you will need to consider if you keep these or not. One of the main advantages of keeping these
features is that they can help add value to the property. However, if they are in a poor condition,
then you will have to pay to have them restored, which could end up quite expensive.
How Long Do You Have?
If you do decide to purchase a period property and there is a lot of work that will need to be done,
you should consider how long you can dedicate to this project. Putting a timeframe in place is
useful as it can keep you moving forward with the whole work.
you should consider how long you can dedicate to this project. Putting a timeframe in place is
useful as it can keep you moving forward with the whole work.
So, once you have considered all of these factors, you should be able to make an informed
decision as to whether you should purchase a period property!
decision as to whether you should purchase a period property!
