Have you been curious to learn about the age of your home? While some wish to determine the age for whimsical reasons, we need to keep in mind that the age of a property is critical if you are planning to place your home on the market in the near future. How can you determine when your house was built? What tools are at your disposal? Why is age such an important factor in terms of the ultimate retail price? These are all very important questions, so our professional team has taken the time to provide you with targeted and relevant answers. Let’s take a closer look.
Why is Age Critical?
A house represents one of the most important investments of your life. Much like any asset (such as a vehicle), age can determine how much the house has depreciated in value. This is particularly the case if it has not been properly maintained in the past or if its utilities are outdated. Some common issues associated with older properties include:
- Problems with exterior elements such as the roof
- Electrical and/or plumbing issues
- The presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos
- Thermal inefficiency (such as no double-glazed windows)
- Local coding violations
As you might have already imagined, many of these variables will have to be dealt with by professionals if you expect to place your house on the market. So, let’s now examine how you can determine the age of your property.
How to Find Out Out the Age of Your House
We should first make it a point to mention that you have several options at your disposal. The most common way is to obtain a copy of the title register. This is the most logical solution if the home was sold (or leased) by the initial developer. However, what if it was sold by a third party (such as a previous owner)?
You might also be able to trace the record of the past sale. When you purchased the house, the seller would have been required to fill out a property information form. This could very well state the age. Also, there are times when a mortgage survey lists the age of your home. You could also head to your local council. They could be able to tell you when planning permission was first granted.
So, what about houses that have existed for more than 100 years? In this situation, it might not be possible to obtain the age via a standard title register. There are several other approaches which can be taken in such a situation. You can choose to view the relevant census returns, as these will offer records between 1841 and 1911 (in ten-year intervals). The 1862 Act Register is another useful resource, as this can contain local records associated with your immediate area. There may even be times when it is worthwhile to determine if your home is present within the National Heritage List.
When All Else Fails
Unfortunately, you might still be unable to determine the exact age of your home. This is when thinking outside of the box may come in handy. For example, did you know that the date of construction can often be found beneath the sink or tub in your bathroom (assuming that they were installed at the same time the home was built)? You can also check with your local historical society or speak with a historian after performing an online search. There are likewise times when examining the architectural style can shed some light on its approximate age.
Would you like to obtain more information or do you need to determine the current value of your home? If so, please contact one of the representatives at Property Price Advice. We will be happy to help.