They're not. They have "character," which, as it turns out, is a little like the whole "it builds character" kind of thing from time to time. :-)

But, I wouldn't trade my old house. I love its creaks and odd corners covered in cobwebs.

And, we've just been enjoying using the downstairs bathroom. We haven't been in a super hurry to schedule the plumbers because (thank goodness) we don't HAVE to be.