You’ve found it: a beautiful, rambling old farmhouse, with wide-plank wood floors, original paned windows, maybe a big barn. And, out back, a few trees and a shady, rolling lawn—the perfect place to hang a hammock, just as soon as you tackle your own Fixer-Upper-style renovation.
Photography by April Valencia, courtesy of Rip & Tan, from The Catskills Farmhouse of Two Brooklyn Creatives, Weekend DIY Edition.
1. Those wood floors might need to replaced.
The good news is, good-quality wood floors can withstand a lot of refinishing—the maximum is about 10, according to Denver-based MacDonalds Hardwoods—which takes more time but is less expensive than total replacement.
But if the original wood floors in your farmhouse are getting close to that number, or are just in bad shape (MacDonalds Hardwoods says to look for warping, loose boards, termite damage, or under-floor damage), you may be looking at total-floor replacement while you’re living there.
2. There may be hidden dangers.
Keep in mind that an old farmhouse (or any house built before 1978) may have lead paint on the walls—or asbestos. Lead paint is particularly a problem in window wells, where the paint can flake off or pulverize when the windows open and close.
Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista, from Saved from Abandonment: A Historic Hudson Valley Farmhouse Receives the Ultimate Makeunder.
Photograph from The Country Rental: A Floating Farmhouse in Upstate New York.
3. You could spend a small fortune upgrading the basics.
4. The charming old windows might be drafty.
Photograph by Amanda Kirkpatrick and styling by Anna Molvik, from A Renovated Farmhouse in Bedford, NY, with Scandinavian Influences.
5. Soapstone counters are not quite zero-maintenance.
Soapstone is a popular choice for farmhouse-style interiors, and it’s generally a rugged one: It’s heat-resistant, stain-proof, and isn’t affected by acidic materials.
Photograph by Mylene Pionilla, from Architect Visit: An Antiquarian Farmhouse in Upstate New York Transformed.
6. That clawfoot tub may have to go.
7. Last but not least, get an inspection.
Consult an expert (or two): An official inspector can tell you the nitty-gritty of your house—before you start tearing down walls.
For much more on the fine points of buying (and renovating) old houses, see What to Know When Buying a House: 8 Small Signs that Signal Big Problems—as well as 6 Problems that Shouldn’t Be Dealbreakers.