Buying an Older Home? Here’s What Sellers Aren’t Telling You

By Danae Aballi-Mecham

Danae Aballi-Mecham is a long-time real estate industry veteran. She has worked in various positions in the industry having grown from an independent real estate agent to running a team of 5 top producing agents.

Many homes on the market today were built 40 to 70 years ago. While the structure may look updated, the systems inside often are not. Systems like plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and water heaters may still be original, which means they are already outdated and may not be functioning correctly. These can be expensive to replace, and buyers are often surprised to find out just how little sellers are required to disclose. Today, I’m going to share with you the three things these sellers aren’t telling you:

No rule to disclose old systems. Sellers are not obligated to reveal any outdated systems in their home because no law requires them to do so. They only have to disclose if something is broken. If the furnace still works, even if it is 30 years old, there is no obligation to mention it. The only way to find out is through a home inspection, which means you need to hire a qualified inspector who can accurately identify the age and condition of each system, providing a clearer view of what you may be taking on.

Ask for home warranty. Older homes come with higher risks of system failure, and a home warranty can help offset those costs. These warranties can cover repairs or replacement of HVAC, water heaters, plumbing, and kitchen appliances. They are not perfect and may take a few days to send out a technician, but they offer valuable financial protection. When writing your offer, ask the seller to include a home warranty as part of the deal to ensure you avoid the headache of having to repair old and broken items in your new house.

No legal obligation to fix anything. Not many know this, but sellers are not required to make repairs. They can sell a home with a leaking roof, damaged plumbing, broken appliances, or mold issues. The only legal requirements they need to comply with are ensuring that there are working smoke detectors, a carbon monoxide detector, and bracing the water heater for earthquake safety. Everything else is negotiable. If you want repairs done before closing, those must be requested in writing as part of your offer.

When you’re buying an older home, assume the systems are original unless the listing clearly states otherwise. Price your offer with those costs in mind. This helps you avoid surprises during escrow and puts you in a stronger negotiating position. If you’re planning to buy and want to protect your investment, feel free to call or text me at 949-216-8565 or email me at danae@danaeaballi.com. I can help you review the property and create an enticing offer to ensure you get the house that you want.