Realistic life expectancy of a house

[Kamil Pieniadz]

I'm currently looking at single family that was built in the 1880s. The game plan is to get into it with a VA loan so I can put no money down and avoid PMI at the same time. I want to live there for a year and then rent it out once I move. My only concern is the age of the home and what kind of life expectancy can I realistically expect from something this old. From the numbers I've ran it would be a cash flow cow but since I typically get insurance that covers the value of the home and not cost to rebuild a new one. Ideally I would like my asset not to implode on itself a couple years after purchase.

[Jonathan R McLaughlin]

@Kamil Pieniadz the home structure itself can last for something resembling forever. People are still living in things built in the 1700s over in Europe. Question really is the age of the systems-roof-windows-foundation-electric-heating-insulation and how many times they have been renewed/revamped etc. A house built in the 1990s might need a big overhaul as its components are on their last life, one from the 1800s might be on its 5th generation of renewal. Knob and tube, vermiculite, lead...all generational stuff that might have been switched out or still be there. I wouldn't be scared of it just because of age. Higher maintenance? almost certainly. General soundness? Can be fine.