Common Issues with Older Homes in the Long Beach Island Real Estate Market
Common Long Beach Island Home Problems
LBI NJ Real Estate
The Long Beach Island real estate market is made of a diverse number of property styles and homes. There are single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, vacant land, and even interval ownership properties. The diversity in the LBI real estate market extends to the age of homes, with some properties being brand new construction while others dating back to the mid-1800s. The largest initial wave of development on Long Beach Island took place during the 1950s and 1960s. It was during this timeframe that the majority of the Cape Cod style home was built on Long Beach Island. At the time, these homes made excellent beach houses and they still do today! It is very common to see older Cape Cod style homes renovated and still fully enjoyed by new owners many decades later. When buying an older home on Long Beach Island, it is important to understand common Long Beach Island home problems so you can readily identify potential issues before a home inspection.
Nathan Colmer | The Van Dyk Group
Cell: 609-290-4293 | Office: 800-222-0131 | ncolmer@vandykgroup.com
Click here to search all homes for sale in the Long Beach Island NJ real estate market
Common Long Beach Island Home Problems
While it is important to have any home inspected by a qualified and licensed home inspector, there are a few trouble areas that buyers and their real estate agents should address before entering into any contract. Generally, older homes on Long Beach Island may have the following issues:
- Potential for mold
- Damp crawlspaces
- Termites and other wood destroying insects
- Roof and siding issues
It is important to understand that any home will most likely have some level of mold inside. Even new construction homes can develop mold in their heating and cooling ductwork. Many older homes, especially those below base flood elevation, will have some issues with mold due to the dampness of the crawlspaces. It is important to check for this in any home and make sure you understand the treatment options to remedy the mold and the options to limit the moisture in a crawlspace. It is very common to find termites and other wood destroying insects in older homes in the LBI real estate market. This has to do with the fact that during this timeframe of construction, new materials such as pressure-treated lumber were not available. Termites and powder post beetles are very commonplace on Long Beach Island. That said, the lumber that was used to construct the older homes on Long Beach Island was more natural and denser than wood used today. For this reason, sometimes wood destroying insects pass these harder woods by in favor of softer material. It is important to check the roof and siding on any older home for sale in the Long Beach Island real estate market. Most of the original homes built during the 1950s and 1960s utilized cementless pesticide. In many cases this is still present on a home. Of itself this is not a serious issue, but it is important to understand what can and what cannot be done with the site. The roofing material of these homes, unless they have been replaced a few times, will most likely need replacement. The general lifespan of a roof is approximately 30 years. If a home was built in the 1960s and the roof was replaced in the 1990s, in all likelihood it is due for an upgrade.
Buying a Home in the LBI Real Estate Market
Buying a home on Long Beach Island is a major investment and one that should only take place after a thorough investigation. It is extremely important to have any home, and especially older homes, inspected by a qualified professional who understands the nature of the LBI real estate market. The list above will give some basic pointers and tips to help you be a more informed buyer when searching for homes in the LBI real estate market. Understanding common Long Beach Island home problems can be a great first step to avoiding entry into an unfavorable contract. For more information about online homes in the LBI real estate market, contact and I will be happy to answer any questions you have.
By : Nathan Colmer | The Van Dyk Group
Cell: 609-290-4293 | Office: 800-222-0131 | ncolmer@vandykgroup.com
Click here to search all homes for sale in the Long Beach Island NJ real estate market
You May Also Like: