Old houses have their charm but they also have quirks beneath the surface. One of the not-so-obvious concerns about buying a fixer-upper or even a house that has been renovated and flipped for sale is the condition of the electrical system.

If the dining room lights flicker on and off when the new Whirlpool washer is running or the microwave blows the circuit breaker on a regular basis, experts said it’s time to call a licensed electrician before the charm turns to sizzle.