It’s easy to determine some updates; you’ll notice updated kitchen and bathroom appliances quickly.  Some necessities are hidden within the structure of the home, but are vital to your family’s safety. 

When you consider purchasing an older home, have a plumber determine whether the pipes are contributing to unsafe lead levels in the home’s drinking water.  Older paint can also be lead based, and is extremely harmful to children.  There's also a danger of lead paint dust being inhaled while walls are being modified.  You may consider having older homes insulation evaluated, as well.

Keep in mind, modern homes are more likely to have air-tight window and door seals, but these features can be added to older homes, usually at a reasonable cost.  You might consider purchasing a home that’s already fully or partially renovated, or even one without any recent improvements.