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Simply put , it is very important for you to move very slowly and cautiously when you consider buying an older home. Older homes have a great deal to offer the experienced home owner.
First if it is your first home, consider something newer. This type of experience is not for the inexperienced or weak of heart. The possibility of something being seriously wrong with the house increases with time. This is not to say, all older homes are ticking time bombs. Keep in mind, most of them are. Unless the house you are looking to purchase has already been restored, there is a good chance you will have problems during your ownership. Understand, restoring even a small house could cost you more than the original purchase price.

So, you are still thinking about that three bedroom Victorian out in the country. First thing to consider is, does this house meet my present and future needs. Is the house air conditioned, is it a central unit or window units. What about bathrooms, is there more than one. Much of the time in older homes there is only one. Even with a small family this could prove to be a big deal. Further still there may not be a shower head, only a tub. Do you like baths? What about kitchen space, older homes will often be missing many of the modern amenities. Then there is the layout. Particularly with Victorians function follows form. As beautiful as these homes are, it is the beauty the architect was most concerned with, not the functionality of the space. I won't even ask if the house you're looking at has a basement. This is still another luxury many of are descendants considered unnecessary or impossible to achieve.
Okay, so you've decided you can deal with one bathroom, a small kitchen, and a very strange layout. On the up side you have plenty of closet space, a parlor, a family room, and a sitting room. Not to mention a detached garage and lots of neat outbuildings, sheds and such. Then there's the wraparound porch and all the details that make these homes so desirable.
So you want to take this thing to the next level. If you are not an experienced home contractor, consider bringing in a reputable home inspector. Try to find someone that is not affiliated with either real estate agent. This job is hard enough with out trying to tip toe around Realtors who are only concerned with selling this house. Impartiality, is what you want from a home inspector. Walk around with your inspector. It is not good enough to just read his

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