If you’re a first-time buyer in Northwestern Wisconsin, a starter home can help you achieve home ownership without breaking the bank! A good starter home should be affordable, well-built, and located where home values are likely to climb.
However, starter homes are typically older, smaller homes that need some updating. Avoid properties that need more work than your budget and patience allow! Below is a list of major home systems that hold the most expensive repairs:
Roof: Asphalt roofs last an average of 15 to 30 years depending on the shingle type. See our prior blog post for roof condition tips!
Foundation: Foundation issues can show up in sloping or uneven floors, significant foundation cracks, stains from chronic water intrusion, or mold.
Electrical: Look for proper conduits, circuit breakers, grounded outlets/GFI outlets. Today’s electronics make 200-amp service more desirable than 100-amp service.
Plumbing: Modern homes include PEX, PVC, ABS, or copper pipes. Older homes may have galvanized pipes. Homes built between 1970 and 2000 may have polybutylene pipes. The type of plumbing isn’t always a deal-breaker, but some materials are prone to issues over time.
Furnace: The heating system should be in good condition, offer good heating efficiency, and hold several more years of functional life.
Well and septic: It’s wise to have these professionally inspected. Learn more about property transfer well inspections at WRA.org and about septic issues at EPA.gov.
Lead-based paint: Lead-based paint may exist in homes built before 1978. Lead-based paint can be covered with paneling or sealants or be professionally removed.
A good home inspector will help you through all of this. If there are specific concerns, bring in a contractor for estimates. We can refer you to local professionals!
Start your Northwestern Wisconsin home search with experts at your side! Six Lakes Realty is a locally owned family business with over 45 years of experience. Contact us today for friendly, hometown service!
John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com