Looking for advice
Hey everyone,
I’m currently doing my homework on a potential home purchase (1920/1930 built in southwest kansas) and I'm trying to weigh the reality of taking on an older property versus the headaches it might bring.
I’m hoping to tap into the collective wisdom here. For those of you who have bought or live in 1920s/1930s homes, what are the big things I need to be factoring into my decision?
A couple of specific things I noticed and am concerned about:
Springy/Bouncy Floors: Walking through, I noticed a few spots where the floors had noticeable give or a slight slope. I know older joists can be undersized or might have been notched out by past plumbing/electrical runs, but how big of a red flag is this? Is minor-to-moderate floor bounce usually a manageable fix with blocking/sistering, or a sign of deeper structural settlement?
Electrical & Systems: It’s an older home, so I’m bracing myself for ungrounded wiring, outdated panels, or potential galvanized plumbing. What should I be looking for right off the bat, and at what point does "updating old systems" turn into a total gut job?
If you were looking at a 1920s build today, what are the dealbreakers you'd look for, and what do you wish you had known before buying? Any advice or questions I should be asking an inspector would be massively appreciated!