Period Homes - Building life expectancy

Hi guys, not sure if this is covered anywhere (couldn't find it)
I am looking at period styled homes in Melbourne that were built in the 1920s. Think Californian bungalow, edwardians.
Does anyone know how long they are supposed to last, assuming regular maintenance?
I've been told that houses built in last few decades aren't built like they once were...


Cheers

 

Well, in Europe there are houses over 600 years old. Admittedly a bit crooked and wonky, but still solid.
Marg

 

Thanks Marg.
Would you think that applies to 1890s-1920s houses in Australia?

I've heard of numbers in the 150 year mark but not sure how true.

 

Our PPOR is 100 years old. I don't think it'd have any problem lasting another 100. Obviously its lacking some functionality but we can renovate / extend it in due course.

I think the project home builder ones won't last a few decades as they build them as cheap as possible to make a profit.

 

My house is 100 year old period home and solid as a rock. No structural damage and it has been renovated, we just maintain it. Requires more work to maintain though, wooden frames, doors etc.

Just make sure when you buy you know what work is required, get a B&P report.

 

So long as the appropriate maintenance is taken, they'll last forever.

Just like the Ise Jingu wooden grand shrine in Japan, it's supposedly 2000 years old, but rebuilt every 20 years so it maintains it's integrity.

 

I just love my 100+ year old home. I think it will be solid for a few more centuries to come. And there's many gorgeous old homes in my neighbourhood. It's a special neighbourhood... I just love it.

 

My PPOR was built in 1925. Structurally it's as good as it ever was. I can't see why it won't go another 100.

 

I find a lot of things amusing, like a PM concerned about a bow in a roof line on a place that is 70 + years old, the PM will be long dead before there is any issue bar a severe storm.

Just got hold of a brick place, and has some cracks in the brickwork, PM is concerned for the tenant welfare.... lol we will all be dead, been there a long time already, it ain't going anywhere.

I remember a place when I was a kid, an old timber dump, it must have been a 100 years old 50 years ago, anyway, not that long back I got to go inside, basically still the same as when I was a kid, timber steps had seen better days, but the long story short, it was not going to fall down anytime soon. What killed it is growing land values ! Made way for units.

Australia is a young country, I expect most houses would be destroyed by demo to make way for better ones, not due to any past use by date.

 

When my Uncle sold his last Pub in England it had been standing straight for 175+ years.....& will for another 175 he reckoned as long as they replaced the roof as often as they had in the past.

Mind you, if you were 5' 9" ish or taller you had to remember to duck a tad when going through any of the interior doorways or wear an egg on your scone in return.

 

I'm looking for a PPOR to hopefully stay there for the next 30+ years. Will pay a premium due to this period feature.
There is also a heritage overlay in the area meaning the front exterior cannot be changed and I don't think there are any subdivisions or multi dwelling townhouses on that street.

So if we're buying something that's already 90-120 years, stay there for a few decades and can't knock it down. Who will be the potential buyers of something that might have a decade or two left? obviously council laws will change and we are thinking quite far ahead etc etc


edit - just spoke to a friend who knows urban planning. Main thing is the cost of maintenance.

 

Hi Gockie, is your profile pic the 100 year old home? Looks great. Any more photos or tips on restoring a similar property?

 

Yep... check this thread:
We bought the house!! :)
1 year anniversary of owning it is this Saturday! (I'll be out all day though)

Tips on restoring? No idea really...
All we did was change some carpets and have some walls painted.

It was a great feeling, I sent to a property seminar last Thursday night and people said some of their goals. Someone mentioned a goal was to buy their dream home. I said to myself.... i've got that!

 

We purchased 80 year old PPoR last year and had it restumped. I was surprised how good the stumps were. Basically fine but had sunk into the sandy soil pver the last 80 years.

Plannig an extension and recladding, but otherwise structure is (now) solid as a rock.

 

I have a terrace house built in the 1880s (the one in profile pic) making it about 130 years old. Aside from the addition of a kitchen and bathroom which wasn't there originally, and a roof replacement, the structure of the house including the stairs is original. It is in great shape and I would be very surprised if it was going to fall down any time soon.
vtt

 

Someone else will be enjoying your bedroom when your pushing up daisies

 

Back to the thread... how did you go @mc123?

 

its a good thing we have heritage listings and demolition control precincts

 

It is due to the efforts of those who don't appreciate the value, context or benefits of older buildings that neighbourhoods are irreparably damaged.