I would be concerned about the extra cost of radiant heated house being converted to AC as time goes on people will want more eco friendly homes and wall units draw a lot of electricity.

Jeremy,

Some good questions. I will say that radiant heat does work just fine, many homes have it. It shouldn't matter what the size of the home is as long as there are enough radiators. There are different types of radiant heat, including hot water and electric. None seem to work much differently or more effectively than another. While the majority of people prefer forced air (mostly b/c of the ease of adding A/C), there are potential health benefits to having radiant heat. The biggest benefit is that you aren't blowing dust and particles around the house. This can be a big benefit to someone with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory health concerns.

Adding A/C in a home w/ radiant heat can be quite expensive; it will be in the thousands of dollars. I can't give you a definite figure, but don't be surprised if it's $4,000-5,000. The reason, of course, is that all new pipes/ducts need to be routed to the entire home. This takes a large amount of time to do. Some homes are easier to install the A/C than others because of the homes layout, age, etc.

As far as resale value is concerned, it will likely create a smaller pool of potential buyers, if for no other reason than some people want forced air systems. Other than that, it doesn't necessarily affect the home's value.

A separate question for you is are you working with an agent? If so, they should be able to assist you with your questions. If not, how are you planning on coming up with the right amount to offer? Who is going to take care of the negotiations, paperwork, inspection (& possible repairs), title work, etc.? There is a lot to think about when buying a home, especially if this is your first time.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you have further questions, I'm glad to be of assistance!