Inspecting a mid-century modern home in Seattle is truly one of the more enjoyable experiences. Why? Seattle’s mid-century modern homes are very well built. You can thank all of the Boeing engineers and their friends for these gems. And as many of you know, I have been in this business for over 25 years. I have seen houses with no issues and lots of houses where the only thing that would fix them was a bulldozer. However, I rarely see issues in a mid-century home that make me advise my clients to walk from the transaction.
Unlike many older properties that frequently exhibit significant issues such as foundation settling, water intrusion, or other structural concerns, Mid-Century Modern homes tend to avoid these pitfalls. Their secret lies in superior building practices. For instance, my mid-century home in south Seattle was built with steel girders and the foundation is overbuilt for the structure. This baby is not going anywhere in Seattle’s bomb cyclones and other weather issues.
In this blog, we are going to go into detail about issues to look for when inspecting a mid-century home in Seattle.
Start Here – Guide to Getting a Home Inspection
That said, there are a few key things to look for when inspecting a Mid-Century Modern home:
What To Look For When Inspecting a Mid-Century Modern Home in Seattle
Once again, the vast majority of inspection items that come up for mid-century modern homes are rarely deal killers. However, there are a couple of times to look for during your inspection.
The General List of Items That Typically Come Up During An Inspection of a Mid-Century Modern Home in Seattle
- Galvanized Pipes
- Old Roof
- Undersized Downspouts
- Railing Out of Code (duh! it was built before there was a code)
- Under Insulated Attic
- Rodent Issues (occasionally)
Below, I am going to go into more detail about specific items you should review when inspecting a mid-century modern home in Seattle.
Plumbing In Mid-Century Modern Homes in Seattle
Most homes of this era were built with galvanized plumbing. This plumbing does have a tendency to fail after 50-60 years. This means many homes from this era need new plumbing right about now.
The other thing you will find often in these homes are older hot water heaters. Believe it or not older water heaters actually last longer. They were built with thicker insulations and just do not wear out that fast. However, any water heater installed in the last seven or so years has a short life expectancy. In addition, the majority of hot water heaters in older mid-century modern homes in Seattle rarely have the seismic straps installed.
Check The Electrical Systems in a Mid-Century Modern Home
Modern as these homes can be, they were built before the era of computing. The electrical in these homes can be tricky and many non-updated homes lack 3-prong grounded outlets around the home. So it is pretty common to have to make electrical updates to get everything connected to the World Wide Web and all of our technology.
Make Sure To Check The Electrical Panel
At this point, the vast majority of electrical panels have been updated in many of these older mid-century modern homes in Seattle. But every once in a while, you come across an old electrical panel that has been recalled. The most common is the Zinsco panel. It was part of a major lawsuit and recall for being a fire hazard. The typical issue you will find with the electrical panels is that they are undersized for our modern living (EV chargers, air conditioners, etc…).
Seattle and Its Older Sewer Issues
Interestingly, I’ve seen more sewers fail in these homes than in older homes. Why? Many mid-century homes in Seattle have concrete sewer lines instead of clay, which you find in most Craftsman homes. Concrete lines tend to fail faster and have more issues than older clay pipes. Be sure to do a sewer scope if you have older concrete or clay lines. Know they may need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Gutters In Mid-Century Modern Homes Are Strangely Undersized
One of the interesting features of mid-century modern homes is what we call “built-in gutters.” These are gutters built into and behind the fascia board so they are invisible from the outside. As great as they look, they will start to fail after 60+ years. So make sure to check those built-in gutters for holes and rot when you inspect your home!
Old Furnaces Are a Common Find When Inspecting a Mid-Century Modern Home in Seattle
Older homes often come with older HVAC systems. And you can forget about having air-conditioning. The majority of these homes were probably built with an older gas or oil furnace or boiler system. Overall these systems can last a really long time as long as the owners have kept up the maintenance. Unfortunately, many of these homes have elders who have had to move into assisted living or other situations. It is not uncommon to see a good system miss the last five years of maintenance because the owner was unable to keep to a schedule.
Oil Boilers and Furnaces
Many older homes were built around an oil boiler or furnace. The majority of these homes will have oil tanks on the property. More on this later. For instance, our home in Seward Park has an oil boiler system. The system was installed with the house. We replaced the original boiler with an updated and more efficient model. We also have insurance from the state called PLIA for the oil tank. PLIA insurance transferrable to the new owner. Ultimately this type of heating system is going to be phased out. And it is a good idea to look into newer electrical HVAC systems.
Pro-Tip: Ask your inspector if the system needs a maintenance check. And do not be shy about asking for this in the inspection.
Now You Know What To Look For When Inspecting a Mid-Century Home in Seattle
Inspecting a mid-century home in Seattle is one of my favorite home inspections to attend to. These homes are a treasure trove of unique features, history, and of course gorgeous design!
Would You Like to Learn More About Buying a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
- Tips On Buying a Mid-Century Modern Home in Seattle
- Which Neighborhoods in Seattle Have the Most Unique Mid-Century Homes?
- What Are the Key Design Elements of a Mid-Century Modern Home in Seattle?
- What Are the Advantages Of Buying a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
- What Are the Typical Styles of Mid-Century Modern Homes in Seattle?
- A Detailed Guide To Getting a Home Inspection in Seattle
We are here to help. Our team understands that this process can take a year or two. Give us a call. Our Team loves helping people develop a personalized listing plan for their homes. Feel free to contact us directly at thediva@teamedivarealestate.com or call/text 206-271-0264.
