What Does It Mean When a House Has 'Good Bones' - Moving.com (2024)

One of the most frequently asked questions that many buyers want to know is “does this home have good bones?”It’s a good question, and one that you as a potential home buyer should certainly investigate. In general, a home with “good bones” is considered to be a good home with the potential to be a great home. It typically describes a fixer-upper or some sort of neglected house (think: diamond in the rough) that features quality, well-made construction – hence the good bones meaning.

Of course, whether or not a home has “good bones” is dependent on a number of factors. For instance, construction materials often vary from location to location due to weather concerns (think: hurricanes, flooding, etc). So the type of house that has good bones in one state may not have good bones in another. Additionally, whether or not a home has good bones is often a Realtor or buyer’s personal opinion and depends on their preferences.

Overall, though, there are a number of features that the majority of homes considered to have “good bones” share. Keep reading to find out the 10 big indicators that a home has good bones.

So what is the good bones meaning?

1. Construction materials and foundation
   

   Without a doubt, the first thing people mean when they say “a house has good bones” is that its foundation is solid and its structure is sound. Without these two components, it’s hard (if not, impossible) to make the case that a house has good bones. Afterall, the “bones” are quite literally the home’s construction. Oftentimes, older wood frame homes built in the first half of the 20th century were actually made of higher quality wood construction than the wood frame homes built today. As a result, the lumber in an old home may be less likely to have defects such as rotting. In Florida, where hurricanes are a frequent occurrence, residents may actually consider these older wood frame homes to be more wind-resistant than the homes made of newer, engineered wood. Other home materials that are generally considered to be “good bones” also include brick and concrete.

2. Good size rooms
   

   While square footage can certainly be added onto a home, it may be more difficult to increase the size of individual rooms –particularly bedrooms. For this reason, it’s always good if the home has rooms that are already a good size. If the ceilings are high and the house is plenty roomy, you can claim that the home has good bones.

3. A sturdy roof
   

   Purchasing a new roof for a house is going to cost you big bucks (think: possibly $25,000 or more). So, unless you’re willing to eat the cost, it’s important that the home have a durable roof that’s in good shape. A home with an in-tact roof is considered to have good bones. A proper inspection of the house should be able to tell you whether a roof is bubbling or cracking. Most high-quality roofs are made of metal, asphalt shingles, and aluminum –among other materials. If the roof is on the newer end and shows little (if not, zero) wear and tear, you can assume the house has good bones.

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4. Plenty of natural light
   

   No one wants to live in a dark, dreary home. For this reason, having ample natural light and plenty of well constructed windows is a major plus when buying a home. To get a sense of the home’s natural light and to properly assess these “bones”, you’ll need to walk through the home in-person during different parts of the day. If the home is light and bright, you can say that the home has good bones.

5. Plumbing
   

   How old is the plumbing and is it in good condition? These are questions that must be asked before purchasing a home. If the pipes are in good shape and the toilets, showers and other plumbing features are in good working condition, then you can be sure this home has good bones.

6. Coherent floor plan
   

   Purchasing a fixer-upper, and then having to reconfigure the entire floor plan is not ideal (and definitely expensive!). Therefore, it’s better if the house already has a coherent floor plan. It’s especially important that the kitchen and bathroom be laid out well, as moving a home’s plumbing and electrical infrastructure can be challenging. If the home’s existing floor plan has a good flow, then the house may be considered to have good bones.

7. Good lot and location
   

   You can change a lot about a house, but you can’t change its location or the size of its lot. After all, real estate is all about “location, location, location.” So if the home is situated in an ideal neighborhood on a good size lot, you can say that it has good bones.

8. Floors
   

   While damaged or low-quality floors aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker, they are considered to be part of the “bones” of the home. Given that real wood floors are quite expensive to replace, it’s always a huge bonus when the house has good flooring. All a homeowner needs to do is sand them down, add a stain and voila! The floors are as good as new. If a home’s floors are capable of being restored to their former glory, you can consider the house to have good bones.

9. Unique, charming details
   

   Oftentimes, home buyers adore old, fixer-upper homes for their unique charms and historic features. These details may include crown molding, exposed wooden beams, wainscoting, vintage wallpaper and antique hardware. If you consider these features to be important in a home, then you can say the house has good bones.

10. Bonus room
    

    Whether it’s a mother-in-law apartment with rental income potential or an oversized basem*nt with extra storage space, a home with a bonus room is always a big advantage. Not only is it good for resale value, but it’s also an added convenience for the residents. If the home has a bonus room, you can claim it has good bones.

Ready to move?

Found a home with good bones? Congrats! To find a reliable moving company, check Moving.com’s extensive network ofmovers. Our website makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.