Be sure to check the water pressure in a home with galvanized pipes. Turn on more than one faucet in the kitchen or bath to see if the pressure drops as the second faucet goes on. If the first faucet stops, the pipes need immediate replacement. In almost all cases, the presence of a leg tub in a bathroom indicates lead waste plumbing. If lead plumbing springs a leak, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Many local codes require that lead plumbing be changed if a bath is remodeled.
Check to see whether the sewer pipe leaves the basement above floor level. A working basement bath indicates the sewer pipe is below the floor level. A special pump is required to install a basement bath if the sewer line is above floor level. If you plan to convert the basement into an apartment or living unit, the presence of sewer lines above the floor will make the conversion difficult. Check with local health authorities or a plumber if you are looking at a home that does not have public water and sewer and is instead, served by a well and private disposal system.