Listen

In another recent conversation with someone who was in the process of purchasing an old house, they asked, "What should I do first?"

It's typical that as a new owner you're full of energy to get started on something. I'd suggest getting the house weather tight and address any immediate structural issues. Otherwise, temper your enthusiasm and wait. Maybe for as long as a year. It's an old house; once it's weather tight another 12 months isn't a big deal.

Listen to the house.

Let it speak to you.

You will learn what it needs. It may need different things in each of the four seasons.

You will learn how you live in it. And how you'll adapt to it. Along with how it will adapt to you.

Things that you think you want to do on day one likely will not be the things you want/need on day 365. You will also figure out more about what it needs and how to structure/schedule the work so you don't have to re-do things later.

If it is a historic house you are a caretaker for future generations, not an owner.