Hi all, looking at potentially purchasing a home in the Belchertown area from 1765 that seems to be in solid shape after a cursory tour. Does anyone have a recommendation for a home inspector that deals with historical structures?

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kobeyashidog t1_jbftsby wrote on March 8, 2023 at 7:12 PM

#2,187,474

Any home inspector in Mass deals with historical homes. Get a good referral from your realtor or friends or Google is a good help too. Hopefully some on here have some recs, unfortunately I am too far east I don’t think my recommendations would want to go out that far

TheLowDown33 OP t1_jbfw4xo wrote on March 8, 2023 at 7:27 PM

#2,187,607

Replying to kobeyashidog (#2,187,474)

Appreciate the insight! I figured as much, but I’m moving from out of state and while I lived in a 100 year old home, pre-Revolutionary war seems like it may be a different animal.

kobeyashidog t1_jbfwm46 wrote on March 8, 2023 at 7:30 PM

#2,187,624

Replying to TheLowDown33 (#2,187,607)

In Mass these homes are all over the place. “Historical” is irrelevant with the construction. If you get someone who has experience and been an inspector for some years I’d feel pretty good. I like the old homes, if they are still kicking it means it’s unlikely to fall down now usually haha

Mr-Chewy-Biteums t1_jbgxq3t wrote on March 8, 2023 at 11:30 PM

#2,189,026

Historical aspects notwithstanding, I have had 3 inspections done by Ken Arnold of Ahearn Inspection Services. My RE agent recommended him as the best she had ever worked with and we were very happy with the jobs he did.

(edited to add: properties were in Northampton, Easthampton, Holyoke)

Thank you

hitchacomet t1_jbiyqol wrote on March 9, 2023 at 11:34 AM

#2,192,195

Replying to TheLowDown33 (#2,187,607)

Don’t ask your realtor. They’re incentivized to make the sale. They could be totally in your court (they’re supposed to be). But they know most/all the inspectors and will likely steer you to one that gets the deal through and. Ot make too many problems. YMMV but general rule is get your own and do your own research. Especially on a very old house.

jjgould165 t1_jbjcflf wrote on March 9, 2023 at 1:46 PM

#2,192,783

You might also want to stop by the Historical Society to see what documentation they have on it. While they probably won't have blueprints or things like that, they probably have images of it through the years that would explain some of the alterations through the years.

Hoosac_Love t1_jbk5n71 wrote on March 9, 2023 at 5:03 PM

#2,194,197

If you are looking for historical validation I'd have no idea how to help you.If you're looking legal validation,like ie... is the house safe,mold free,a solid structure and legally safe for human inhabitation.Any inspector can make that judgement whether a brand new house or a medieval castle.