There is a lot to be said for older homes. They ooze charm and tend to be located in well-established neighbourhoods featuring quaint, tree-lined streets, decent schools and a stable, if not pleasant community vibe.

Given that many Toronto homes fit that general description, what should home buyers be looking for when considering a home that’s 100-plus years old? There are certain concerns that are especially characteristic to century homes. Prehistoric plumbing, wiring, windows and insulation can result in expensive repairs and upgrades. The more you know about them, the better armed you’ll be to make a wise decision.  Here are some considerations you may want to mull over:

Double Inspections – Being aggressive when it comes to fault finding is a smart move when you’re spending hundreds of thousands on a house. Think of two inspections as an initial investment in the long-term health and safety of your home. The money you spend today can save you big sums down the road. And remember that even the most experienced and knowledgeable inspector can miss things.

Depending on the issues you uncover, you may also need to hire a structural engineer, foundation expert or contractor to lend their expertise. These are usually even more costly, but again a little financial pain upfront will likely save you financial setbacks in the long run.

Ensure Your Insurance — As you’re phoning around for home inspectors and building experts, you may want to gather information about insuring an older home. Older homes quite simply come with more risk and this can be pricey especially if you dealing with a house that has knob-and-tube wiring or structural issues, for example. Know what you’re getting into as finding out later that the home you just bought will cost a fortune to insure could be a big financial blow.

Beware of Hazardous Materials – Lead paint and asbestos were common building materials back in the day that have in the interim been deemed a danger. If your house was built before 1960, there’s a good chance lead paint was used and this can be a problem for babies, young children and pregnant women.  This toxic material has been known to cause abdominal pain, memory loss and developmental problems. D-I-Y remediation is doable but know that it’s a long and tedious process.

Widely used in older homes, asbestos is now deemed a hazard because its fibres irritate lungs and can lead to a deadly form of cancer as well as other serious lung diseases. Asbestos is relatively common in houses built before 1975. It can be found in insulation, siding, linoleum, vinyl tiles and plaster.

Radon is a gas that can increase your risk of lung cancer. It enters your home through any opening in which the house comes into contact with the soil. Test kits are available for this radioactive gas.

Pesky Pests – We could write a book on this subject but instead we’ll just stick to the sticklers. Termites are a not uncommon problem in the GTA. You may want to inspect your house for termites before purchasing if you suspect it has them. Signs of an infestation include flying termites, hollow sounding timber and tunnels in the wood. Termite treatment and control is not cheap with online estimates starting at about $3,500.

Mold & Mildew — Mold and mildew can be an issue in any age of home but it is perhaps more prevalent in older homes due to the years under which a bad mold situation can take to present itself plus having a space in which poor circulation exists. Mold remediation can be very expensive, in the thousands of dollars kind of expensive.

Infrastructure Issues – We mean electrical, plumbing, roofing, foundation. These are the areas of a home where old doesn’t add up to charming. It’s not unusual for older homes to need new electrical work as some are outfitted with knob-and-tube wiring. This can be a fire hazard, while older plumbing can cause water problems that can lead to a host of pricey repairs. Consider getting more than one opinion regarding a roofing concern. A crumbling foundation can spell out a number of additional issues, from flooding to structural issues.

There are potentially dozens of reasons to select a real estate agent. Having one that also happens to be a friend, neighbour or family member is not an uncommon occurrence and that’s why many consumers feel the pressure to choose someone they know.

But many real estate gurus say that’s unwise for a number of reasons. Disagreements could put an end to a valued friendship or perhaps your friend/agent will begin to resent you because of the discount or kick back you’ve requested on their commission. Another possibility is that your agent doesn’t view you as seriously as his other clients and may put in less time house hunting or drumming up buyers. They also may have a more difficult time telling you the truth — that your house isn’t worth what you think it is, for instance. Finally, if you get to a point where it’s time to break up with your realtor/friend how do you do that without any hard feelings?

But for those who feel compelled to retain an agent with whom they’re already comfortable, what happens when you have competing realtors in your life? How do you choose one over the other without offending the unsuccessful candidate? How do you break the news to Cousin Bernie that you’ve decided to go with your sister-in-law Alice?

Let’s look at ways to break it to them gently:

Fictionalize it — You could start by lying. While that’s not always the recommended course of action, sometimes a little white lie is your best line of defense. Imagine telling your neighbour/realtor that you’ve decided to retain your nephew, a rookie real estate agent, due to the fact that your neighbour’s breath could topple the C.N. Tower. Better to bow out gracefully with a wee fib. In this instance, you could take advantage of your nephew’s inexperience by claiming that you’re trying to help out your relative and that’s why you decided to hire him.

Blame your spouse — This strategy is a classic for good reason. By pointing a finger at your better half, you, in effect, tell people that you are being held hostage based on your partner’s choice, however different it may be than yours. The beauty of this game plan is that you end up looking like the sympathetic supporter, unlike your spouse, who is likely viewed as something of a villain.

 Be Honest Abe — The truth can hurt but it also sets you free. If you have the strength of character to weather chilly responses and cold shoulders, this is likely a good pick for you. You never have to look over your shoulder or struggle and squirm to remember your white lie when you invariably run into your Aunt Maude at Thanksgiving dinner. This option is a tough one but it’s worth it given the peace of mind it leaves you with.

Pick a Pro over Blood — Because home buying is such an emotionally charged transaction involving big, life-changing amounts of money, the process can be highly volatile and there is little room for mistakes. Giving your best friend’s daughter a break will earn you brownie points for sure, but may not be in your best interest in the long run. Same for hiring a friend or relative who doesn’t work relatively close to your area. Regardless of the relationship, you need a professional who lives, eats and breathes real estate and understands the local market, including everything from schools and shops to local issues and housing inventory.

There are potentially dozens of reasons to select a real estate agent. Having one that also happens to be a friend, neighbour or family member is not an uncommon occurrence and that’s why many consumers feel the pressure to choose someone they know.

But many real estate gurus say that’s unwise for a number of reasons. Disagreements could put an end to a valued friendship or perhaps your friend/agent will begin to resent you because of the discount or kick back you’ve requested on their commission. Another possibility is that your agent doesn’t view you as seriously as his other clients and may put in less time house hunting or drumming up buyers. They also may have a more difficult time telling you the truth — that your house isn’t worth what you think it is, for instance. Finally, if you get to a point where it’s time to break up with your realtor/friend how do you do that without any hard feelings?

But for those who feel compelled to retain an agent with whom they’re already comfortable, what happens when you have competing realtors in your life? How do you choose one over the other without offending the unsuccessful candidate? How do you break the news to Cousin Bernie that you’ve decided to go with your sister-in-law Alice?

Let’s look at ways to break it to them gently:

Fictionalize it — You could start by lying. While that’s not always the recommended course of action, sometimes a little white lie is your best line of defense. Imagine telling your neighbour/realtor that you’ve decided to retain your nephew, a rookie real estate agent, due to the fact that your neighbour’s breath could topple the C.N. Tower. Better to bow out gracefully with a wee fib. In this instance, you could take advantage of your nephew’s inexperience by claiming that you’re trying to help out your relative and that’s why you decided to hire him.

Blame your spouse — This strategy is a classic for good reason. By pointing a finger at your better half, you, in effect, tell people that you are being held hostage based on your partner’s choice, however different it may be than yours. The beauty of this game plan is that you end up looking like the sympathetic supporter, unlike your spouse, who is likely viewed as something of a villain.

Be Honest Abe — The truth can hurt but it also sets you free. If you have the strength of character to weather chilly responses and cold shoulders, this is likely a good pick for you. You never have to look over your shoulder or struggle and squirm to remember your white lie when you invariably run into your Aunt Maude at Thanksgiving dinner. This option is a tough one but it’s worth it given the peace of mind it leaves you with.

Pick a Pro over Blood — Because home buying is such an emotionally charged transaction involving big, life-changing amounts of money, the process can be highly volatile and there is little room for mistakes. Giving your best friend’s daughter a break will earn you brownie points for sure, but may not be in your best interest in the long run. Same for hiring a friend or relative who doesn’t work relatively close to your area. Regardless of the relationship, you need a professional who lives, eats and breathes real estate and understands the local market, including everything from schools and shops to local issues and housing inventory.