What appeals to you more – a charming, but old home with character or a chic brand new home? This simple answer can help in your search, but there are still quite a few factors to think about. A brand spanking new house does have its downfalls, especially nowadays while in the midst of a housing crisis.
Price
Majority of new homes will be more expensive, but don’t think you will save that much more by buying an older home. Older homes come with baggage – they require more maintenance and this can add up over time.
Location
Newer homes are mainly being built in quiet areas where there is plenty of land to work with while older homes are in established areas where you don’t have to go too far to run your errands. Quiet can be great, but not so convenient.
Charm
As mentioned already, older homes are charming and their unique design will never grow old. New homes these days tend to be more modern and are all starting to look the same!
Layout
New homes are designed for the modern day lifestyle so the layout will not only work better, it will even work better for all those gadgets we now own. You can expect more electric sockets, and better spaces for large televisions and whiteware.
Energy Efficient
With new technology and energy awareness, houses are now being built with solar panels to save money on electricity, appliances and whiteware use less energy, insulation is everywhere from top to bottom, and windows even retain more heat. In short, new houses can be cheaper and warmer.
Landscape
It takes years for trees and vegetation to reach maturity so you’ll be waiting awhile if you are a nature lover – trees to provide an extra bit of privacy as well.
So what will it be? As with any decision, you should weigh your pros and cons. Both new and old homes have advantages and disadvantages, but it boils down to the needs of you and your family at the end of the day.