30 year old house

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I'm hoping to buy a 30 year old slump block house to live in a few years, then sell. Assuming it has been taken reasonable care of the last 30 years, what should I expect to have to upgrade as far as major components? I've budgeted to re-roof in a few years or so.
Will the plumbing and electrical be so out of date that they should be upgraded now, or be a problem to sell in 5-10 years? What else do I need to consider?
Thanks.

[Scott Hubbard]

Originally posted by Ofgift Gift:

I'm hoping to buy a 30 year old slump block house to live in a few years, then sell. Assuming it has been taken reasonable care of the last 30 years, what should I expect to have to upgrade as far as major components? I've budgeted to re-roof in a few years or so.
Will the plumbing and electrical be so out of date that they should be upgraded now, or be a problem to sell in 5-10 years? What else do I need to consider?
Thanks.

Assuming the HVAC/ H2O heater is original, you may have to replace major components especially if the furnace is electric. If the house was built between late 70's to early 1990's, you should consider having the plumbing checked for polybutylene materials. Poly B has a significantly higher fail rate than all other materials.

http://ag.arizona.edu/azwater/awr/nov94/leaks.html

If it has Poly B, it can be a detrimental to your strategy since you plan to sell in 5 to 10 years. Replacement in a slump bolck constructed house can be considerably higher than in a stick built house.

Foundations can be a large issue and this is especially true in Tucson because of the lowered water tables. When you have a slump block house, there is more rigidity and this can cause cracking along the mortar joints.

Lead-based paint can also be an issue and because of recent abatement laws passed in our state, if you are doing any renovation plans there may be additional expense in disposing of debris that contains lead. Be prepared to have the paints tested if your pulling permits and you may wat to consider that expense in your cost formula.

If you have a gas water heater, you may consider code changes relative to the proper ventilation as well as drainage which may require additional expenses.

A good inspector, not one of those national franchisee ones offered by a REALTOR, should be able to give you ideas what will need attention and what will not. It really pays to find a competent one and one who understands your strategy.

Good Luck!