What to Check Before Buying a Historic Home in Connecticut

October 1, 2026

Short answer: Before buying an 18th or 19th century home in Connecticut, get a thorough inspection and budget for what inspectors can't see. Know the usual trouble spots (old wiring like knob and tube, septic, fieldstone foundations, insulation, the roof) and check whether the house is in a local historic district, where exterior changes need approval. Then make sure your financing fits the house's condition.

Connecticut is full of older homes, and towns like Litchfield, Washington and New Preston are full of it. I sat down with John Daikus, a Litchfield County real estate agent who has owned an 1870 house in New Haven and now lives in an 1860 house in Litchfield's historic district, to talk about what buyers should know.

What to check on an old house

John's view: an old house is basically like every other home, but "inspection is way more important on these homes," and there's still "stuff that inspectors aren't going to catch" behind the walls. His checklist:

Electrical. The big one. He found knob and tube wiring in his own walls. If you find it, plan to replace it.
Septic. Older systems are reaching the end of their life, and that's just as true on a 1970s ranch.
Foundation. Many old homes sit on fieldstone foundations, so expect a rougher, less finished basement.
Insulation. Usually weaker unless a previous owner retrofitted it.
Roof. Same as any house: know its age and condition.

Is anything a deal-breaker? John's answer: at the right price, almost everything has a fix, and you add value as you go. I'd add one thing from the lending side. Know what's wrong before you choose your loan, because condition affects which financing works.

Living in a historic district

If the home is inside a local historic district, exterior changes need approval first. John's tip: let your contractor handle the commission meetings, because they'll have the answers to questions like "how big a reveal are you doing on this trim?" Ask the town before you buy what the district reviews and how long approvals take.

Financing an older home

Condition and the appraisal. Unfinished work or safety items can hold up an appraisal, especially on FHA loans. See what happens when an FHA appraisal flags an unfinished bathroom and unfinished renovations as an appraisal red flag.
Open permits and paperwork. Decades of owners can mean old open permits. Read open permits when buying a house in Connecticut and financing a house without a certificate of occupancy.
Rolling the fixes into the loan. If the house needs electrical, a roof or a septic, a renovation loan can finance the purchase and the work together. Compare options in our FHA 203(k) vs. HomeStyle guide.

Timing your offer

John's take on the market: well-priced homes in towns like Litchfield still draw multiple offers fast, while winter tends to be the quieter time to buy because "there's less competition." Have your pre-approval done before you start touring, so you can move the day the right house comes up. Get pre-approved here.

Historic home questions

Should I get a home inspection on a historic house?

Yes. On an old home the inspection matters more, and you should still budget for problems hidden behind walls that an inspector can't see.

What are the most common problems in old Connecticut homes?

Old wiring such as knob and tube, aging septic systems, fieldstone foundations, weak insulation and roof age.

Can I change the outside of a house in a historic district?

Usually only with approval from the local historic district commission. Check the town's rules before you buy.

Can I finance repairs on an older home?

Often, yes. A renovation loan can cover the purchase and the work in one loan. Talk to our team about which program fits the house.

Looking at an older home? Call or text our team at (203) 452-9899.