Buying an Older Home in Old Town Baton Rouge: What to Check First

A guide to the first things to inspect when considering a craftsman or bungalow home in Baton Rouge's Old Town.

Homes in Old Town Baton Rouge often carry the character of craftsman and bungalow design: covered porches, exposed rafters, original woodwork. That character is part of the appeal, but it also means the house has a longer history than a newly built home, and a longer history means more places to look before you commit.

Start with the foundation. Many older homes in this area were built with pier and beam construction, which behaves differently than a slab foundation. Ask how the piers have held up, whether there has been any releveling done, and whether doors and windows still open and close the way they should. Small gaps or sticking doors are not automatically a problem, but they are worth understanding.

Move on to the roof and any additions. Older homes are sometimes expanded over the years, room by room, and additions do not always match the original construction quality. Ask when each part of the house was built and whether permits were pulled for any changes. This tells you not just what the house looks like now, but how it was put together over time.

Check the electrical and plumbing systems next. A home with original charm may still have updated wiring and pipes, or it may not. Neither answer should scare you off, but you want to know which one you are dealing with, since it affects both safety and your plans for renovation.

Lastly, walk the exterior. Original windows, wood siding, and porch structures often need more upkeep than newer materials, but they also carry a look that is hard to replicate. Understanding the maintenance a home like this asks for helps you decide if it fits the kind of ownership you want.

None of this is meant to make an older home feel risky. It is meant to make sure you know exactly what you are getting, so you can enjoy the character without being caught off guard by the upkeep.