Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Buying A Home - Is An Older Home Right For You?


By Sarah P. Shimanski

If you've wondered what owning a charming historical home would be like, there are certain advantages and disadvantages you need to be aware of before deciding to buy one. Let's explore these in detail:

1) Price Range - Older homes tend to be priced more reasonably than newer construction homes. Although you may find the opposite to be true with vintage homes located in the heart of metropolitan areas.

2) Construction - Older Homes are usually constructed with higher grade materials such as thicker beams, solid walls, heavy duty fixtures, and solid wood doors.

3) Old Town Feel - In an older community,you get to enjoy the ambiance of an established neighborhood as you stroll down the street. If you decide to live in a newer community, you won't know what to expect besides the builder's architectural drawings and a creative imagination.

4) Mature Landscaping - Unlike a newer community, older neighborhoods feature mature landscaping with mature trees and flowers.

5) Charm - Older homes exhibit unique decorative accents and character such as beautiful crown moldings, durable built-in cabinetry, and sturdy hardwood flooring. You won't find these upgrades in a new home unless you invest money to add these details.

Although there are many benefits to owning an older home, there are also drawbacks:

6) Replacement Costs - Years of wear and tear require you to invest money to replace worn water heaters, fixtures, appliances, and other upgrade costs.

7) Higher Utility Bills - Older homes are built with less energy efficient construction materials so expect your electric and gas bills to be higher in the summer and winter.

8) Decor - An older home will usually feature old outdated colors, wall coverings, and flooring. Plan on spending extra money and time changing the decor to appeal to your individual taste.

9) Inconvenient Floor Plan - Homeowners in a previous era had a different lifestyle. You'll find less emphasis on an ergonomic layout with large rooms. If you plan on installing a large screen TV or converting a room into a home office, you'll have to use extra creativity to make it work.

10) Lower Resale Value - Unfortunately, older homes tend to sell for less than a newer home of comparable size and features.

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