Buying a 100-year-old house didn’t seem risky for one couple. They had the property inspected before purchasing it in 2023, and aside from a few minor repairs and an aging furnace and water heater, the report looked good.
The homeowner called the old Craftsman their dream home and felt comfortable going ahead with the purchase after the inspection.
Three years later, that dream has come with a long list of expensive repairs. The couple is now questioning whether buying the house was the right decision.
The House Seemed to Be in Great Shape
The homeowner explained on Reddit that the inspector was impressed with how well the century-old house had been cared for. A few things would need attention eventually, but nothing raised enough concern to make the couple reconsider the purchase.
The sale also included a one-year home warranty. They figured that if something major was going to fail, it might happen while the warranty was still active, but the first year passed without any major problems.
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Then the Repair Bills Started Piling Up
Over the next few years, the couple replaced the gutters and faced a major plumbing problem after the sewer line collapsed. The plumbing work alone cost close to $10,000.
Then serious basement flooding forced them to install a sump pump system. Now they need to replace the air-conditioning system, and the older furnace could be next.
For someone who worked hard to build savings, watching that money disappear into one house repair after another is hard to stomach.
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They Also Started Questioning the Neighborhood
The repair bills weren’t the couple’s only concern. When they bought the house, they believed the neighborhood was on the rise and expected to stay for several years.
Instead, the homeowner said local businesses have closed, and the area hasn’t developed as they had hoped. Property values have also fallen since they bought the house.
Now they’re caught between spending even more money on a property they may not want to keep long-term and selling at a time when they might not recover what they originally paid.
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Other Homeowners Had Surprisingly Similar Stories
After the homeowner shared their experience online, other people began sharing their own expensive homeownership stories. Several had faced a string of major repairs within just a few years of buying their properties.
One person who also bought a home in 2023 had already replaced the HVAC system, water heater, sump pump, and battery backup, and paid for a roof repair. Another homeowner said they replaced a sewer line shortly after moving in, then dealt with drain work, a water heater replacement, damaged flooring, a leaking window, and AC trouble.
Other homeowners made it clear they weren’t alone in dealing with costly problems in older houses.
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There Was One Inspection They Wish They’d Gotten
One repair stood out more than the others: the collapsed sewer line. The homeowner hadn’t paid for a sewer scope before buying the property and later said skipping it was a mistake.
Other commenters pointed out that sewer lines may need a separate inspection because a standard home inspection doesn’t always include a thorough look at the line. Fortunately, the couple had added sewer coverage to their insurance and said much of that repair was covered.
They Also Learned to Stop Taking the First Repair Quote
At first, the couple would contact a contractor and agree to the work without spending much time comparing prices. After a few expensive jobs, they changed how they handled repairs.
The homeowner said getting several quotes saved them quite a bit on one project. Other homeowners recommended asking neighbors and local contacts for contractor referrals, then comparing estimates before agreeing to costly work.
The House Itself Is Still Their Dream Home
Another homeowner paused at one question: If everything in the house worked properly, would they still love living there?
Their answer was yes. The homeowner said they would love the property if everything worked and still described the old Craftsman as the house they had always wanted.
They aren’t necessarily ready to leave right away, but they also don’t see themselves staying in the neighborhood forever.
Now They’re Trying to Decide What Comes Next
For now, the couple plans to get more quotes for the remaining repairs and see how the house and neighborhood develop. They’re still living in the 100-year-old home they fell in love with, but the repair bills have made them rethink how long they want to stay.
The question is how much more money they’re willing to put into the property before deciding it’s time to move on.
Would you stay after spending this much on repairs, or would you start making plans to sell?
