Ask an Agent: What to Know Before You Buy a Century-Old Home
by Grace Cassidy
April 2025
From their period detail and historic charm to their solid, durable construction, homes built 100 or more years ago have great appeal and value. Of course, for all of their storied nooks and crannies, century-old homes also pose unique challenges.
To help buyers better understand what to know before investing in a century home, we spoke with Christian Stillmark and Scott James, two California-based agents at Douglas Elliman who represented the incredible 1917-vintage home known as Villa Carlotta, at 234 E. Mendocino Street in Altadena.
When you buy the pros, you still own the cons
It’s self-evident but worth pointing out that historic properties were built differently than the way homes are built today. And that means more, and often intensive, maintenance.
When Stillmark and James were marketing Villa Carlotta, they advised the sellers to oil the original wood features before going on the market. Potential buyers should be aware that this kind of upkeep won’t be a one-time fix but likely an annual commitment.
Likewise, when you buy a 100-year-old home, you’re often buying 100-year-old plumbing and other underlying systems. The investment of time and treasure to remediate or entirely replace these systems needs to be factored in.
While an air of mystery may be part of the allure of a century-old home, not all surprises are delightful once you own them. Even with a thorough inspection, you may not know that an important renovation needs to happen until you break into the walls. And if discover something unfortunate, you cannot expect the previous owner to take any responsibility.
“Generally, once it’s done, it’s done,” Stillmark says. “You have to understand what you’re getting into from the get-go.”
Do your due diligence
To ensure you uncover as many of those unknowns as possible before you buy, Stillmark and James recommend conducting multiple inspections. That includes bringing in architects, builders, and other professionals to get an idea for what kind of repairs or renovations should be performed once you receive the keys.
Structural engineers can be essential for older homes that have sat idle and endured numerous weather cycles. For a hillside home, Stillmark notes, hiring a structural engineer is simply “part of due diligence.”
“When inspecting a home, look for cracks and issues with the foundation,” James adds. “With a century-old home, there have been more shakes and rattles than average.”
The agents also recommend buyers look out for the presence of radon, asbestos, and lead-based paint in older homes.
Restrictions and incentives
When you’re hunting for a historic home with a storied past, remember that any property designated as a registered historic landmark typically restricts what kinds of alternations can be made.
“Restrictions usually involve the exterior,” Stillmark explains. “You generally can’t change the style and how it looks.”
At the same time, historic properties may enable buyers to take advantage of related tax breaks.
“A lot of homes qualify for the Mills Act,” adds James, referring to an economic incentive for the preservation of historic California properties. “A lot of things inside need to resemble authentic features of the home. The upside is that, under the Mills Act, property taxes are much less than they would be otherwise.”
Sellers may not want to sell to someone who is planning a total remodel
If your plans for owning a historic home involve dramatic alternations, don’t be surprised if the sellers take a pass on your offer. Even if you haven’t shared your plans, owners of historic homes can stipulate that new owners maintain the integrity of the property.
Agents can be vital to determining whether or not a prospective buyer is on the same page. While some century-old homes are unsalvageable—like this 1926 home in the South Pasadena hills that Stillmark and James represent—others can come with expectations for the buyer.
“I want to know if a buyer’s intent is to be the next steward of that property or to demolish it, knowing that history would be gone forever,” James says.
Noting that Villa Carlotta had only three owners in its history, Stillmark says that many sellers do not want to entrust a historic home to “someone who is going to do a big makeover.”
Bottom line: can you see yourself in it?
While it’s always a good idea to ask lots of questions during open houses and viewings to learn about the ownership history, the kind of upkeep required, and any repairs that need to be done, buyers should first ask themselves whether or not the home will complement their lifestyle.
“You don’t need to kick the tires too much—that happens during an inspection,” Stillmark says. “You want to know that the living spaces suit your needs and that the house is in a state of repair that is acceptable to you.”
Related STORIES
