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We are looking at houses to buy. We got slammed in the housing bubble and have rented for 5 years, but its really time for us to settle down and grow some roots and buy a house we will be in for a while.

I have said I only want a home after 1979 when the lead paint became illegal. I am finding pre- 1979 houses that I really like, and they are less expensive than newer homes. Am I being silly for not looking at the older homes just because of lead paint worries

Also, well and septic tanks... are those pains in the butt that I want to avoid at all cost?

Lead paint is only a worry if you have interior lead paint that has never been repainted (unlikely) on, say, window sills, that is likely to be chewed upon by young children. Or if the exterior of the house is original wood siding which must be scaped and/or sanded and repainted. Due to the new EPA regulations, if the old paint tests for lead, having a contractor do this can be very expensive (however, you as a homeowner can do it with the proper precautions). Realistically there are very few problems with pre-1978 houses with lead paint; my house was built in 1927 and has been repainted so many times on the wood work that the original lead paint has been encapsulated long since.

As far as well and septic systems go, the best wells are artesian wells, which tap into aquifers deep underground and pretty much never go dry. Failing that, make sure the well is a drilled well and not a dug well, which is invariably shallow. Be sure that the well water is tested prior to purchase; same goes for the septic system. Also check with the county health department to make sure that the septic system = the number of bedrooms in the house. Conventional septic systems (gravity-fed) are the best; alternative systems are coming into use around my area for lots that won't perk for conventional, but I wouldn't have one I (and they're WAY more expensive). If you get a house with a septic system, do NOT plant or build anything over the drain field, and do not drive on it either - it compacts the soil and can crush the drain tiles. And pump the holding tank regularly!

I am hoping to sell my house and move closer to work in about a year and have already started my list of "must haves" and "will not consider"

If lead paint is a major concern for you then it would be best to avoid houses that might have them. However if you see one you really like then you could ask that the house be tested for lead paint. Also you should consider that if the house has had major renovations then lead paint is likely not an issue anymore.

I will not consider a house with a septic tank. My brother has one it it seems every couple of years they have an issue with it. Also, there are only certain kinds of toilet paper you can use and you cannot have a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink. If I found the perfect house and that was the only flaw, then maybe. But a septic tank is a hassle I want to avoid.

I personally will not buy a house built in the 90's because of the defective siding used then. I had to spend a bundle to get it replaced on my house. I would consider an all brick house built in the 90's or if the siding has already been replaced. Otherwise I would not even consider it.

I won't consider a fixer upper. I am not handy and I hate having contractors in my house.

I won't consider a house on a busy road or that backs to a busy road because I do not like the road noise of traffic. I've lived on a busy road before and I hated it.

I won't consider a home more than 5 miles from my work because that is the main reason I want to move.

Anyway, I suggest you make a list of your "must haves", "wish list/nice to have" and "will not consider". This is going to be YOUR home so you need to feel comfortable with all aspects of the house.

My house was built in 1920, but windows were replaced in the 80's and it's been repainted many many times since. I love this house. Newer homes don't have the same personality. My home was built with 2"X4" planks cut from solid redwood, so there are some advantages to an older home.

Septic systems are a pain if something goes wrong. If you keep up on the maintenance and they were put in properly there can be next to know problems at all.

It comes down to what you want and why.

I love this house. Newer homes don't have the same personality.

agreed!

I am having a hard time finding a house in our area. Its just more rural and it doesn't seem like people are selling homes under our price range. I guess I really need to be more patient and wait for the one, but its disheartening!

Plus I would LOVE to have a Victorian style house (which they have several for sale in our area, all pre-70s). They are all in our price range, some with beautiful yards... but the age and possibility of lead paint would worry me too much to really enjoy the house.

Is there a time more homes go up for sale... I thought it was spring, but we got nothing here!

We've been on a well/septic for over 7 yrs now (new house on acreage)

The well is on an aquafer, so altho the pressure isn't all that great it's fine. The only person on our whole street (20 homes) who runs out of water in the summer has a shallow well. Everybody else is just fine. We had to replace the pump once and fix a pipe in the pump house, but that's it.

Our septic has been just fine. The pump on that went out, too, but no other problems. There are just the 2 of us so haven't needed to get it pumped yet. And YES we do have a garbage disposal!!! You can get them at Home Depot/Lowe's, and attach a little green bottle that helps break down the food particles. It seems to last forever, on my 2nd bottle in 7 yrs.

Never have had an issue of toilet paper. Maybe depends on the age of the septic??

Once I got used to them I now don't give them a second thought. Taking care of them becomes second nature.

I have bought and sold many houses. When I'm in the market, I haul out my handy spreadsheet. It's all too easy, when you are looking at house after house, to get confused about the likes and dislikes of each. At the top, the spreadsheet has my Mission Statement, the list of things I will not compromise on and things I would like, but aren't 100% necessary. Then come the comparisons: There are columns for the address of each property and its MLS listing (so I can go back and check at will)and columns for every attribute I deem desirable, plus a column for negatives and one for extras. I recently purchased a country property for weekend and summer use. If you PM me your e-mail address, I will send you part of my spreadsheet so you can see the process. BTW, I bought the # 3 property; you will see why on the spreadsheet.

[This message edited by lynnm1947 at 10:13 AM, April 16th (Wednesday)]