Buy Into Social Media When House Hunting

Everyone has a different list when house hunting.

Some want new and clean and modern, others love the charm and history of older homes.

However, older homes come with a price, and it’s not just in the upfront cost. You’ll often uncover defects or other surprises you weren’t expecting.

Don’t let that deter you, though, if your wish is an older home. They are quite beautiful and have charm that usually cannot be replicated.

Use Social Media

When house hunting, you can turn to social media via:

• Blogs – A number of blogs offer thorough information on old houses. You can find information on purchasing, inspections, repairs, and renovations. Blogs are a good source because not only do you get expert advice, you also can find real feedback from the comment sections. It’s a good way to see what really works and what isn’t so feasible.

• Twitter – When you have a concern or interest, hashtag it on Twitter. You can find sources that you may have not known about, from expert advice to the DIY’er. You may come across a new favorite blog or website.

• Facebook – Don’t neglect your own Facebook feed. You never what friend you may have who’s had some experience with buying an older home. It’s a great way to get a conversational feed going.

• Pinterest – Pinterest isn’t only for planning parties. You can get some great ideas for renovations and what your old house can be. If nothing else, you’ll gain some great inspiration. Again, you may also find some new great blogs and other expert sources.

As the following article looks at, when you are searching social media, you probably want to know some common defects found in older homes.

Here are some of the more common ones to get you started:

• Lead paint – This is always a concern with older homes. If the house was built after 1978, you should be fine, but before that, it was common to use paint with lead in it, which is hazardous. You’ll want to have the paint tested, and really consider if it’s worth it to invest in a home with lead paint. It can be a costly undertaking to have it removed.

• Foundation and structural concerns – Simply because the house has been there longer, it’s had more time to settle. Often these problems are workable, but sometimes it causes so much strain on the home, that it can lead to big issues. You can have it checked out before purchasing and decide from there.

• Appliances – You may think you don’t have to redo a kitchen, but can just add new appliances. Think again, they often don’t fit and that can lead to an expensive remodel that you may not have been anticipating.

Older homes have character that is often hard to find in newer homes. They also have some defects that are hard to get around.

Just make sure you read up on the pros and cons and have a good, thorough inspection.

Also put social media to use to help you narrow down your house wishlist.

You don’t want any surprises once you’ve purchased the house.

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