Need advice on buying older homes.

10 years ago

Many of the houses in the DC suburbs are older and tend to have many smaller rooms rather than the open concept I'm looking for. As I go home buying, how can I educate myself to decipher which walls can come down and which are load bearing?

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Comments (4)

Curt D'Onofrio
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Set your sights on the house you really like. Then hire a structual engineer to see what interior walls are load bearing or not. Even load bearing inerior walls can be takened down but a beef up header beam and/or additional support (a support column) needs to added. A GC can help also, but i bet my last dollar he consults with a structual engineer to limit his/her liability.
PRO
Dytecture
10 years ago
It would be costly to alter the original design of a house from a different era with different needs back then.
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Curt D'Onofrio
10 years ago
Foundation, foundation, foundation. Make really sure it's good. Get thoughly inspected, and as in with doctor, get 2nd and 3rd opinions. W/out good foundation you have nothing.
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
10 years ago
Don't buy on the assumption that walls can be moved. Only an structural engineer/architect can tell for sure. Assume that everything is structural until you are told otherwise.