When you're buying a home in Denver, it's easy to focus on the purchase price.

How much is the house?

What will the mortgage payment be?

How much do I need for a down payment?

But there's another number that can have a huge impact on whether a home is actually affordable:

What will it cost to own after you get the keys?

America's housing stock is getting older. In 2023, the typical U.S. home was 44 years old, compared with 39 years in 2013 and just 28 years in 1993. About 1 in 4 homeowners also lives in a home built before 1960.

And here in the Denver metro area, home age is especially relevant.

Denver has everything from century-old Denver Squares, Craftsman bungalows, Victorians, and Tudor Revival homes to mid-century ranches and newer suburban construction.

Older homes aren't bad homes.

Some of my favorite houses in Denver have already been standing for 80, 100, or even 120+ years.

But as homes age, more of their major systems may eventually need maintenance, repair, or replacement.

And that means the real question when evaluating a Denver home isn't simply:

“Can I afford to buy this house?”

It's also:

“Can I afford to own this house when something needs to be replaced?”

Quick Answer: An older home isn't automatically more expensive to own, but buyers should pay close attention to the age and condition of major components such as the roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical system, windows, foundation, sewer line, and insulation. Two Denver homes with the same purchase price can have dramatically different ownership costs depending on what's already been replaced—and what may be approaching the end of its useful life.

America's Homes Are Getting Older

The age of the American housing stock has been steadily increasing.

In 2023, the typical U.S. home was 44 years old.

Compare that with:

• 28 years old in 1993
• 39 years old in 2013
• 44 years old in 2023

And roughly one-quarter of homeowners live in homes built before 1960.

Why does that matter?

Because houses aren't one single asset.

They're collections of individual systems and components, all with different maintenance needs and useful lives.

Think about:

• Roofs
• Furnaces
• Air-conditioning systems
• Water heaters
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing
• Sewer lines
• Windows
• Siding
• Insulation
• Foundations
• Drainage systems

Eventually, the conversation can change from:

“What would I like to upgrade?”

to:

“What are we going to need to replace next?”

Denver's Older Housing Stock Makes This Especially Important

If you're buying an older home in Denver, understanding the age of the property is only the beginning.

Drive through Denver's established neighborhoods and you'll find houses representing more than a century of residential construction.

You'll see Denver Squares from the late 1800s and early 1900s, Craftsman bungalows from the early 20th century, Tudor Revival homes, mid-century ranches, and countless homes that have been expanded or renovated multiple times.

That's part of what makes Denver real estate interesting.

But a home built in 1925 wasn't designed around the same building standards, technology, appliances, electrical demand, or lifestyle as a home built in 2025.

That doesn't mean everything in the house is 100 years old.

In fact, that's one of the most important things to understand when evaluating an older property.

The age of the house and the age of its components are two different things.

A 1925 Denver bungalow might have:

• A relatively new roof
• Updated electrical
• Modern plumbing
• Newer HVAC
• Replacement windows
• A newer sewer line
• A professionally finished basement

Meanwhile, another home built in exactly the same year may have several major systems approaching replacement.

Same age. Completely different ownership equation.

Older Homes Can Mean More Money Going Toward Necessary Repairs

Research into home repair and remodeling spending illustrates an important difference between older and newer homes.

For homes built before 1960:

• Maintenance represented approximately 22% of repair and remodeling spending.
• Major replacements represented approximately 39%.

For homes built in 2010 or later:

• Maintenance represented approximately 16%.
• Major replacements represented approximately 24%.

The important distinction isn't simply how much homeowners spend.

It's what they're spending the money on.

A homeowner with a newer property may decide to spend money on:

• Landscaping
• A patio
• A nicer kitchen
• Built-in storage
• Finishing additional space
• Cosmetic improvements

Those can often be discretionary projects.

An owner of an older home might instead discover the money needs to go toward:

• A roof
• Furnace
• Air conditioner
• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Sewer repairs
• Windows
• Foundation or drainage work

That's a very different conversation.

One is:

“I'd really like to do this.”

The other can become:

“We really need to fix this.”

The Cheapest Denver House Isn't Always the Cheapest House to Own

This is something I think Denver home buyers should understand before comparing properties based solely on asking price.

Imagine two Denver homes are both listed for $700,000.

Denver Home A

It has:

• A newer roof
• Updated HVAC
• Updated electrical
• Newer windows
• Updated plumbing
• A newer sewer line

Denver Home B

It has:

• An aging roof
• Original or older HVAC
• Older electrical components
• Older plumbing
• An aging sewer line
• Several deferred-maintenance items

Maybe Home B even has the prettier kitchen.

The purchase price might be identical.

The mortgage payments might be nearly identical.

But those two houses could have very different costs of ownership over the next five or ten years.

That's why I tell buyers:

The cheapest house to buy isn't necessarily the cheapest house to own.

What Are the Biggest Repair Costs to Look for When Buying an Older Denver Home?

Every property is different, but there are several major systems I'd want to understand before buying.

1. Roof Condition and Colorado Hail Damage

Colorado weather makes the roof particularly important.

Roof age and condition can affect not only future replacement costs but potentially homeowners insurance as well.

When evaluating a Denver property, I'd want to understand:

• Approximate roof age
• Roofing material
• Visible condition
• Known hail or storm damage
• Previous repairs
• Insurance considerations

A beautiful remodeled interior doesn't compensate for ignoring a roof that's approaching replacement.

2. HVAC: Furnace and Air Conditioning

Heating and cooling equipment eventually wears out.

When touring a house, find out:

• How old is the furnace?
• How old is the air-conditioning system?
• Have they been regularly serviced?
• Are maintenance records available?
• Are there known problems?

An older HVAC system doesn't automatically mean you shouldn't buy the house.

It may simply mean you should account for replacement in your future homeownership budget.

3. Electrical Systems in Older Denver Homes

Denver's older housing stock can contain electrical systems that have been modified repeatedly over many decades.

Depending on the home's age and renovation history, questions may arise around:

• Electrical panels
• Wiring
• Grounding
• Outlets
• GFCI protection
• Electrical capacity
• Older wiring
• DIY electrical work
• Electrical work associated with additions or basement finishes

Some older electrical components can potentially create insurance considerations in addition to repair or modernization costs.

If an inspection identifies questions, this is an area where getting an appropriate electrician involved can be valuable.

4. Plumbing and Water Lines

Plumbing is another area where the year the house was built can provide clues—but doesn't tell the whole story.

Portions of an older home's plumbing may have been replaced at different times.

I want buyers to understand what's there now.

That can include:

• Supply-line materials
• Drain lines
• Water pressure
• Water heater
• Visible leaks
• Previous repairs
• Water service line when appropriate

Don't assume “remodeled house” means “all-new plumbing.”

A remodeled kitchen may simply mean the parts you can see are new.

5. Sewer Lines on Older Denver Homes

This is one of my favorite examples of an expensive component you can't evaluate during a normal home tour.

Denver's established neighborhoods have plenty of older sewer lines.

They also have plenty of large, mature trees.

Depending on the property, a sewer line can experience issues involving roots, deterioration, separation, cracks, blockages, or other defects.

That's why I frequently recommend buyers consider a sewer scope, particularly when purchasing an older Denver-area property.

The toilets can flush perfectly during your showing.

That tells you very little about the condition of the pipe underground.

6. Windows and Insulation

Older windows can be beautiful.

They can also have very different energy-efficiency characteristics than newer products.

Likewise, insulation standards have changed dramatically over the decades.

When buying an older Denver home, consider how improvements—or a lack of them—could affect:

• Heating
• Cooling
• Comfort
• Energy usage
• Noise
• Future improvement costs

Replacing every window in a house is a very different expense from replacing one damaged window.

Understanding the scope matters.

7. Foundation, Drainage and Basement Conditions

This deserves particular attention in Colorado.

Foundation movement, drainage, grading, and basement moisture can become significant considerations depending on the property.

That doesn't mean every crack is a structural emergency.

Homes move. Concrete cracks. Older homes have had decades to settle.

The question is whether something you're seeing represents normal aging or deserves evaluation by an appropriate professional.

During a Denver home tour, I pay attention to clues such as:

• Significant cracks
• Uneven floors
• Doors that don't close properly
• Evidence of previous repairs
• Basement moisture
• Water staining
• Poor exterior drainage
• Soil sloping toward the house

The goal isn't to diagnose the problem during the showing.

It's to know when we need more information.

A Remodeled Denver Home Isn't Necessarily an Updated Denver Home

This distinction is incredibly important.

A house can have:

New cabinets. New countertops. New flooring. New paint. Beautiful light fixtures.

And still have:

An aging roof. Old sewer. Older electrical. Original HVAC. Drainage problems.

Cosmetic renovation and infrastructure modernization are not the same thing.

When I tour a remodeled Denver home with buyers, I want to understand both.

What's new that we can see?

And:

What's been updated that we can't see?

That second question can potentially matter much more financially.

How Can Buyers Estimate the True Cost of Owning a Denver Home?

I wouldn't try to predict every repair that might happen over the next decade.

That's impossible.

Instead, create a picture of the property's major systems.

For each major component, ask:

How old is it?

What condition is it in?

Has it been maintained?

Has it already been replaced?

Is there evidence of a problem?

What might reasonably need attention in the next several years?

Then combine that information with the other costs of homeownership:

• Mortgage
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• HOA dues when applicable
• Utilities
• Routine maintenance
• Future capital improvements
• Emergency reserves

That's a much more useful affordability conversation than looking only at the mortgage payment.

How Much Should You Budget for Home Maintenance?

You'll sometimes hear blanket rules telling homeowners to save a certain percentage of the home's value every year for maintenance.

I don't think one percentage tells the entire story.

Consider two $700,000 homes.

One may have a two-year-old roof, new HVAC, updated plumbing, newer windows, and a replaced sewer line.

The other may have multiple systems nearing replacement.

Same value. Different risk.

I'd rather help a buyer understand the specific house than rely exclusively on a generic maintenance formula.

An Older Denver Home Isn't Automatically a Bad Home

This point is important enough to repeat.

Age alone does not determine whether a house is good or bad.

A well-maintained 70-year-old ranch could be in considerably better condition than a neglected 20-year-old house.

I've toured older Denver homes where previous owners clearly invested in the property over time.

The roof was replaced when necessary.

The electrical system was updated.

Plumbing improvements were completed.

The sewer line was addressed.

The HVAC was maintained.

Those homes can offer a great combination of older-home character and modernized major systems.

So instead of asking only:

“How old is this house?”

Ask:

• What's already been replaced?
• What's still original?
• What has been properly maintained?
• What renovations have been completed?
• What major systems may need attention next?

Those answers tell you much more.

Denver Home Buyers:

Look Beyond the Kitchen

I understand why buyers fall in love with kitchens.

They're easy to see.

They're emotional.

And they're where we spend a lot of time.

But when I'm helping someone buy a home in Denver, I don't want a beautiful kitchen distracting us from the expensive parts of the property.

During your inspection and due-diligence process, pay attention to the:

• Roof
• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Windows
• Foundation
• Drainage
• Sewer or septic system when applicable
• Water service
• Previous renovations
• Insurance considerations

A new kitchen can make you love the house.

A newer roof may save you from a much more expensive surprise.

Denver Home Sellers:

Deferred Maintenance Can Affect Your Sale Too

This conversation isn't only for buyers.

If you're selling an older home in Denver, buyers may pay close attention to the age and condition of major systems.

Issues involving an aging roof, older HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, sewer lines, or deferred maintenance can potentially influence:

• Buyer interest
• Offer strategy
• Inspection negotiations
• Seller concessions
• Insurance
• Financing in some situations
• How buyers perceive the home's value

That does not mean I would automatically tell a seller to replace everything before listing.

Sometimes making a repair makes sense.

Sometimes obtaining estimates makes more sense.

Sometimes pricing the property appropriately and letting the buyer make future improvements may be the better strategy.

The right answer depends on the property, market, likely buyer, cost, and potential return.

But I definitely want to know what we're working with before the For Sale sign goes in the yard.

What Should You Inspect Before Buying an Older Denver Home?

A general home inspection is an important starting point, but depending on the individual property, buyers may want to consider additional evaluation.

That could include:

• General home inspection
• Sewer scope
• Radon testing
• Roof evaluation
• Electrical evaluation
• HVAC evaluation
• Structural evaluation when appropriate
• Plumbing evaluation
• Other specialty inspections based on the property

Not every house requires every specialist.

The property should help determine the inspection strategy.

And that's one of the reasons I believe there's value in working with someone who regularly tours Denver's mix of old and new housing.

A 1910 Denver Square should generate different questions than a house built in 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions About Older Homes and Repair Costs

Are older homes more expensive to maintain?

They can be, particularly when major systems or components are approaching replacement. However, age alone doesn't determine maintenance costs. A well-maintained older home with updated systems may require less immediate work than a newer home that has been neglected.

Is buying an older home in Denver a bad idea?

No. Denver's older homes can offer incredible architecture, established neighborhoods, mature landscaping, and character. Buyers simply need to understand the condition of the individual property and its major systems.

What are the biggest expenses when buying an older house?

Potential big-ticket expenses can include roofing, HVAC, electrical work, plumbing, sewer repairs, windows, foundation work, drainage improvements, and other major systems.

What should I look for when buying a 50-year-old house?

Look beyond cosmetic condition and evaluate the age and condition of the roof, HVAC, electrical system, plumbing, sewer, windows, foundation, drainage, and major renovations.

What should I look for when buying a 100-year-old Denver home?

In addition to a professional home inspection, I'd want to understand the home's electrical and plumbing systems, sewer line, foundation, drainage, roof, HVAC, basement, previous renovations, insurance considerations, and any applicable historic restrictions.

Should I get a sewer scope when buying an older Denver home?

I frequently recommend that buyers consider a sewer scope on older properties. It provides information about the underground sewer line that isn't available during a normal showing.

Is a remodeled older home safer to buy?

Not necessarily. “Remodeled” can refer largely to cosmetic improvements. Buyers should separately investigate whether the home's major systems and infrastructure have been updated and maintained.

Is a newer home always cheaper to maintain?

No. Newer construction may have newer major systems, but property condition, construction quality, maintenance, warranties, landscaping, HOA obligations, and other factors can affect actual ownership costs.

Should I replace major systems before selling my Denver home?

Not automatically. The best strategy depends on the system's condition, replacement cost, current Denver market conditions, buyer expectations, and likely return on the investment. A pre-listing strategy can help determine which improvements are worth considering.

How do I know what a Denver home will actually cost me to own?

Start with your housing payment, taxes, insurance, HOA dues when applicable, utilities, and routine maintenance. Then evaluate the age and condition of the property's major systems to identify potential upcoming expenses.

The Big Takeaway:

Don't Just Ask What the House Costs

America's homes are getting older.

That doesn't mean they're falling apart.

It means maintenance, replacement, and the condition of major systems deserve a bigger role in the home-buying conversation.

And that's particularly important when you're shopping Denver's incredibly diverse housing stock.

A century-old bungalow can be a fantastic purchase.

A mid-century ranch can be a fantastic purchase.

A five-year-old house can be a fantastic purchase.

The year it was built doesn't answer the question.

You need to understand the individual property.

So before buying, don't ask only:

“Can I afford this house?”

Ask:

“What has already been updated, what may need to be replaced next, and can I comfortably afford to own this house?”

That's a much better question.

About Adam Lang | Living in Denver

I'm Adam Lang, a Denver-area Realtor®, Colorado native, Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert, and creator of the Living in Denver YouTube channel.

After more than 43 years living in Colorado, I've seen Denver's housing stock from a lot of different angles—and today, I regularly tour homes, review property histories, navigate inspections, negotiate inspection issues, and help buyers compare homes that may look similar online but have very different ownership considerations.

Through Living in Denver, I publish weekly educational content about Denver real estate, buying a home in Denver, selling a home in Denver, Denver neighborhoods, moving to Colorado, older Denver homes, home inspections, and what it's actually like to own a home along Colorado's Front Range.

My goal isn't simply to help you find a house you love.

It's to help you understand what you're buying.

Buying or Selling a Home in Denver?

Let's Look at the Bigger Picture.

If you're thinking about buying a home in Denver, I offer a free 30-minute Denver Real Estate Strategy Session.

We can talk through your:

• Budget
• Target monthly payment
• Denver neighborhoods
• Home age and style preferences
• Current inventory
• Inspection strategy
• Potential repair considerations
• Negotiating opportunities
• Timeline
• Long-term goals

And if you're thinking about selling an older Denver home, we can look at the property together and determine which repairs or improvements may actually be worth addressing before listing—and which ones may not be.

Because whether you're buying or selling, the goal isn't simply to focus on the price tag.

It's to understand the bigger financial picture of the home.