Basement sinking within an ripened house? I have see this 100 year old house three times to be...

I have see this 100 year old house three times to be exact for sale. It is 3 stories, 3700 sq ft, and, though within need of repair, gorgeous. However, we get to the basement today and found two iron beam that supported the house, being supported by 4 iron posts, that have sunk 2-4 inches below the surface of the basement floor, and took going on for 12 inches of basement floor surrounding respectively post down with it. I am sure this is an issue, but how serious? The first floor is slightly bowed, but in that appear to be no problems with the brick exterior or plaster cracks or problems on the 2nd and 3rd floors. What would inevitability to be done? New beams and posts? Because that sounds expensive. Any proposal? I love this house and want it but don't want to buy a nightmare.
Answers:    in a nut shell you obligation to jack up the beam within several places and cut out existing posts. where the posts be, cut 2ft. x 2ft. squares out of the floor about 16 within. deep.pour spanking new footers to within 4 surrounded by. of the top of the floor. set new posts on footers and pour latest floor patches...cheapest mode i can think of...
This house is alive and resourcefully! You know what you bought into. Just go with-it. 50 years from in a minute is way away. Personally i'd start a fund to replace it-with the xception of retaining a small portion of it on a reserved piece of artistic land. This tribute is adjectives that you should have to return . Everthing else is for your manipulations. Thomas would not enjoy it any other way!