[KeithO]

Mods- this is far off topic and if you feel this is inappropriate, feel free to remove this thread.

I am posting this here because I know that there are alot of intelligent, experienced people on this site beyond playing with f-bodies...

My wife and I signed paperwork for an offer on a house yesterday. The offer is contingent on us selling our house (open house is today!) and I don't know if this will work out. Even so I am thinking ahead.

The house was built in 1900 and is a frame construction. The siding, windows, electrical service, and plumbing was all replaced within the last 5 years. In that same timeframe, the extensive woodwork and stained glass was all restored to a high standard. The first time we visited the house, my wife's reaction was "I love this house but it is too nice for us, we'd ruin it". We have an 11-year-old and a very active 3-year-old. I understand her sentiment all too well.

(As an aside, the bonus here is that the house is about 15 miles from Beaver Run Motorsports Complex and has a 3-car detached garage that has an inside height tall enough for a lift. What a coincidence! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif) )

Anyway, I don't know diddley about houses and the offer we have is additionally contingent upon a clean home inspection by a professional home inspector.

Is anyone here knowledgeable about homes and specifically old ones? If so, do you have any advice for me? Is anyone aware of any websites that might specialize in houses like this?

I know that this house is my wife's dream house. I just don't want her waking up from one of those dreams where you show up for school in your pajamas. Hahaha.

[BigEnos]

Hot water heat is great, both houses I grew up in had it. It is a drag because it makes adding central air a bit more difficult, but if you have an attic and a basement you can still add it without crapping up the inside of the house with ductwork (well, not too much anyway).

I have a masonry construction (stone) house built in 1954. Not that old, but it was built with almost no insulation. The last couple winters have kicked my butt with fuel costs so I decided to tear out the plaster in the 2nd floor (it's a cape cod) so I can insulate. Some of the first floor has been remodeled and insulation was added, but upstairs is as it was built. Just starting the project so not much to add other than it gets much easier after the first hammer swing! Before that you still have the option of doing nothing. After you start tearing stuff out, you're like (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) "what the hell am I doing?!?". I'll be much happier after the demo is done and I can get on with the "fixing".

I'd see if the current owners have pictures showing what was done during the rehab. If they upgraded the electrical, I'm guessing that they opened up the walls and in the process should have fixed anything else they found. But who knows? Have the pictures available when the home inspector comes. That might help the inspector figure out what was or was not done (right or wrong).

Old houses definitely require more work, but personally I think it's worth it.

Good luck!