While the charm and character of an aged house can be very appealing, there are a few things to look for when considering buying an older home. Termites- a home inspection can usually rule out if the home has termites or not, but older homes are more likely to have had leaks in the past leaks. Wet wood attracts termites and other bugs, and you may want to invest in a professional termite inspection. Lead paint- homes built before 1978 may have lead paint in them. Lead poisoning can cause multiple health problems and is a serious matter that should be investigated using either a home lead detection kit or a certified lead inspector. Windows- you may want to consider installing new windows. Older homes, more often than not, have single-pane windows that are not energy efficient and are more prone to leaks and rotting. More here