4 Signs The House You Want To Buy Has Good Bones, According To Experts

We’ve all heard someone say that a house has “good bones,” but sometimes, the characterization feels a bit hazy: What does it really mean? We asked industry experts to share their insights on what makes a house a true winner, as well as those telltale signs that you might actually be flirting with a money pit. Here are the noteworthy elements worth looking for, according to the pros.

Meet the Experts

Kirsten Schoettelkotte is an architect and director of MHK Charleston. She designed our 2024 Southern Living Idea House in Kiawah River.

Brandon Ingram is an architectural designer in Atlanta. A number of his designs are available as Southern Living House Plans.

Will King is a licensed residential home builder and founder of Alabama-based High Cotton Homes. He is a member of the Southern Living Custom Builder program.

Related: 4 Landscaping Mistakes That Realtors See Too Often

How to Know If a House Has Good Bones

It’s Stood the Test of Time

“I tend to gravitate to older homes because I think a greater value was placed on home construction prior to the boom of the late 20th century,” says architect Kirsten Schoettelkotte. “I don’t trust fast-paced construction methods from the 1990s and early 2000s as much, so I look for evidence of customization with the design in homes from this era, which usually is a sign to me that someone built and designed the home with care; I tend to lean on the home inspection more in this case too.”

The Scale is Just Right

“To me, it’s all about proportions—everything from window and door openings to ceiling heights to scales of rooms,” says Atlanta architectural designer Brandon Ingram. “These are more often than not what can give a house that elusive and hard-to-put-your-finger-on ‘feeling.’ And when those are correct, you can pretty much take a house anywhere you want to. Authentic, real, and timeless materials and details never hurt either!”

It’s Flooded with Light

“One of the most important things for me in a home is light,” says Schoettelkotte. “Placement of porches and their relationship to the kitchen or living spaces is important. Sunrooms that are warm in the winter and shaded in the summer and windows with views to the yard or street are big for me; I like a house that always lets you know the weather, the season, or what time of day it is.”

There Are Signs of TLC

“While it may not be the most scientific method of judgement, evidence that a home was cherished by its owners is usually a sign that the home was properly maintained as well,” says Schoettelkotte, “but I’d still get that inspection before basing a decision on a gut feeling.”

How to Know If a House Is a Money Pit

Look Out For Problem Areas

In addition to keeping your eyes peeled for all those good bones, it’s just as important to sniff out a home’s weak spots, notes Will King of Alabama-based High Cotton Homes. “When walking through the house, be sure to look for sagging or dipping floors, cracks in sheetrock, or doors that won’t shut. Any problems with these items can indicate moisture-related issues or foundation settlement; both of these can be costly to repair,” he says. “Outside the home, make sure to look for cracks in the brick (look for repaired cracks too!). This is another good indicator of foundation settlement.”

Gutters and downspouts can also raise red flags, advises Schoettelkotte. “If it looks like the gutters haven’t been cleaned in years, you’re likely going to deal with some rot and/or water issues.” Visible termite damage is also something you’ll want to address, she notes.

Finally, King notes, check the basement or crawlspace for damp areas, standing water, mold, or sagging floor joists. “Houses in the South battle high humidity most of the year, and it can be detrimental to the structure if not managed appropriately,” he explains. Be sure to consult a home inspector or engineer should you identify any of these potential trouble spots. 

Read the original article on Southern Living