I'm pretty sure what You consider an "old house" is way older than what people around my area consider old. I've read the exploits of several UK folks working on their houses, and it is a different world, with historic structures and craftsmen working on things built decades or centuries ago. My house was built in 1976. I also worry about the chimney on my house, it doesn't draw well and it water has worked into the masonry so the mortar around the ugly stone hearth is crumbling.

If you find that sugar-daddy, see if he wants to travel to the U.S. also. :)