topic Re: Which do you prefer? in Home

Which do you prefer?

151949 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:19:37 GMT

Fixing up and older home or a brand new build? We have had 2 homes in the 32 years we have been married - each each was a new build. My first marriage we had an older home that we had to take out a huge loan on to rehab. Personally, once was enough with that for me. I would not do it again. People say old homes have character - i think a new home has the character you put in it. I love my newly built home.

Re: Which do you prefer?

colliegirls — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:35:30 GMT

We have moved 8 times, we built all of our homes. Nothing is better to me than the new home smell and design. We do not have the patience to remodel or update older homes.

Re: Which do you prefer?

brii — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:37:50 GMT

I like new homes.

I'm not interested in small closets, small rooms, small windows, old ductwork, inadequate insulation.

I love watching what they do to some of those old homes, but I like new construction.

Re: Which do you prefer?

151949 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:47:34 GMT

Everyone I have ever known who chose to "fix up" an old home ended up having to turn the smallest bedroom into a closet because old homes have no closet space, or storage space in general. Those old days people just did not have many belongings in comparison to now.

One friend who is currently rehabbing her parents home that she inherited joked that she doesn't need any closet space because she can no longer afford to buy clothes due to using all her money rehabbing this house.

Re: Which do you prefer?

magicmoodz — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:55:29 GMT

On 1/16/2015 happy housewife said:
Everyone I have ever known who chose to "fix up" an old home ended up having to turn the smallest bedroom into a closet because old homes have no closet space, or storage space in general. Those old days people just did not have many belongings in comparison to now.

One friend who is currently rehabbing her parents home that she inherited joked that she doesn't need any closet space because she can no longer afford to buy clothes due to using all her money rehabbing this house.

That isn't always true. Our first home was built in 1910 and every bedroom had walk-in closets with the master bedroom having two! All original to the home, I might add!

Re: Which do you prefer?

Buck-i-Nana — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:58:40 GMT

I think it depends on what you're looking for, what you enjoy and for me, how "old" the property is.

I look at the new construction taking place in my community and unless you are willing to go with new construction homes in the $500K range (and trust me, that is VERY high for this part of the country), the construction quality is just not there. Even with the new construction with starting prices in the $150K range, what you get at the starting price is really low end everything.

I bought a 1960s rancher. When this plat was built it was one of the "premier" sections, where all the higher ranking military and professionals like doctors and lawyers were buying. The plat has withstood the test of time, with the whole area still looking good and the solid brick homes still looking excellent. Don't have walk-in closets, but I do have full wall closets in 2 of the bedrooms. This home was most certainly in "livable" condition when I bought it, and I've taken my time over the past 12 years to save and do upgrades about every 2 years. This home is MINE, it reflects my personality, and I have the joy of top notch construction along with top of the line materials that I've been able to use as I've remodeled.

Re: Which do you prefer?

Sweetbay magnolia — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:09:58 GMT

We've had both. Frankly the "new" (production) home wasn't built very well. We just bought a 25 year old home (not terribly old) that was one of three built by a single local builder, and it's amazing how plumb the walls are, and some of the subtle details that you don't find in my area, in new construction, unless, I guess, you are building a truly custom house. Yes, we have updated some of the systems - HVAC, plumbing here and there, but any of us who live in a house that long will have to eventually do that. Some of the "outdated" design fixtures, and wallpaper (yes, wallpaper), are what I find to be the most desirable things about the house. Everybody who comes here is captivated. It's been burnished and maintained and sits on a gorgeous lot in a neighborhood with NO HOA. Like no other. I like it that way. We have ample storage, and I very much like that the house itself is about 1940 ft2, with a large lot. I don't need a McMansion.

Re: Which do you prefer?

chrystaltree — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:34:44 GMT

New! New! I grew up in a old colonial home and our first two homes were older homes. I live in MA, where OLD means 80, 90, 100 years. Yes, there is character and history but the repairs, upkeep, remodeling are constant and never ending. It never stops and you never stop shelling out money. I loved my former home, I loved my lilac bushes and the apple trees and myvbig wrap around porch. But we parted company when three years after we put the new roof on, the house needed the upstairs rewired. The girls were out of college on on their own, it was time for us to downsize. We bought a brand new condo, spanking new and while it seemed a bit sterile at first, I quickly grew to love everything about a bright, light, airy, modern home. My only regret is that we didnt buy bigger condo to accomodate the grandchild we'll have someday. So, we might make one more move before we retire. But it will be into a new home. I'll ever go old again....

Re: Which do you prefer?

depglass — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:05:41 GMT

We built one house 9 years ago. That's it for me, if we ever move it will be perfect going in.

Re: Which do you prefer?

Snicks1 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:29:31 GMT

I will never build a new home, can't afford the quality that I would want, and don't have the patience. If we ever buy another home it will be already built and probably not brand new, but not really old either, probably in the 20-25 year old range. I don't mind some minor remodeling, but nothing major, at this stage of my life.

Re: Which do you prefer?

stevieb — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:40:21 GMT

I prefer older homes. New homes, however, are easier and can be customized from the get-go. Regardless, I'd still prefer an older home but ONLY if I had the resources to have someone excellent come in and do the work. I am not at all into the whole DIY thing.

Re: Which do you prefer?

okiebug — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:06:16 GMT

Our house was built in 1949, we bought it in 1977 and moved it to our property. It was built well enough that none of the huge picture windows cracked during the 30-mile journey. We bought it at auction for $1,200 - paid $5,000 to have it moved - it had to be cut in half and moved in 2 sections. It was placed absolutely level on the new foundation and put back together. An amazing experience, but we got an 1800 sq ft house, which would have been impossible if we had built new or bought on site. Over the years, we've added a garage, an addition for a master bath and closet and about 20 years ago did a complete remodel, leaving the original solid wood kitchen cabinets and red oak flooring.

We are just finishing up a small renovation of the hall bath - taking out the wheelchair accessible sink we had for my Mom and putting in new vinyl tile flooring, a vanity and new paint. We're doing all the work ourselves. I really enjoy building, painting and electrical work and my DH does everything else.

Re: Which do you prefer?

Marsha2003 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:33:30 GMT

I could go either way. My priorities are good quality construction in good condition and safe location. Everything else is secondary.

Re: Which do you prefer?

RedTop — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:51:05 GMT

No old homes for me. We built this house 33 years ago, and that experience was enough to do me for my lifetime.

Re: Which do you prefer?

blackhole99 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:54:21 GMT

Our contractor told us it's more cost effective to build new than try to whole house remodel an old home. We built our log home and after 34 years it needs some major updates and it is costing us as much as it cost to build the place. We decided to remodel because the place is on 11 acres of wood land and we could never afford the land again.

Re: Which do you prefer?

LooPY — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:12:24 GMT

For us, it has always been about location rather than the age of the home, and we've owned brand new and older, as well. Our last place was a new, Georgian style, four floor townhouse (like a row house); absolutely beautiful. But we got sick and tired of the HOA (oh, the stories I could tell!) and wanted to be in town, where the houses happen to be old. Our home is a 120 year old historic Victorian house--a little jewel box. It's character has been shaped by all the people who lived here before me, and like them I am but a humble steward of the house. Like them, I don't own the house--history owns the house.

Re: Which do you prefer?

magicmoodz — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:28:12 GMT

Our home is old and it certainly has its downsides, but it has really good "bones" and sits in a wonderful neighborhood.

We were in a social setting last weekend and met some friends of a group of our friends. When they asked us where we lived, many of our friends chimed in saying our house is beautiful. I have never felt my house is beautiful, but it is comfortable and I think I have an eye for decorating in a modern and current fashion that actually brings out the best of both worlds.

All that being said, we are currently thinking about downsizing to a condo or even an apartment. And, completely different from what I have now, I want it to be top of the line brand spanking new with all the amenities!

Re: Which do you prefer?

jubilant — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:18:01 GMT

My heart says older homes. My head says newer!

Re: Which do you prefer?

FastDogWalker2 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:23:14 GMT

On 1/16/2015 magicmoodz said:
On 1/16/2015 happy housewife said:
Everyone I have ever known who chose to "fix up" an old home ended up having to turn the smallest bedroom into a closet because old homes have no closet space, or storage space in general. Those old days people just did not have many belongings in comparison to now.

One friend who is currently rehabbing her parents home that she inherited joked that she doesn't need any closet space because she can no longer afford to buy clothes due to using all her money rehabbing this house.

That isn't always true. Our first home was built in 1910 and every bedroom had walk-in closets with the master bedroom having two! All original to the home, I might add!

Magicmoodz - that is how my grandparents' house was - circa 1900's. We loved exploring them as kids! As for myself, my husband was active duty Navy for 30 years so we never had the time to be in one place for a new build. I have always lived in a previously owned home. I think each has it's pluses and minuses.

Re: Which do you prefer?

magicmoodz — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:13:21 GMT

On 1/16/2015 FastDogWalker2 said:
On 1/16/2015 magicmoodz said:
On 1/16/2015 happy housewife said:
Everyone I have ever known who chose to "fix up" an old home ended up having to turn the smallest bedroom into a closet because old homes have no closet space, or storage space in general. Those old days people just did not have many belongings in comparison to now.

One friend who is currently rehabbing her parents home that she inherited joked that she doesn't need any closet space because she can no longer afford to buy clothes due to using all her money rehabbing this house.

That isn't always true. Our first home was built in 1910 and every bedroom had walk-in closets with the master bedroom having two! All original to the home, I might add!

Magicmoodz - that is how my grandparents' house was - circa 1900's. We loved exploring them as kids! As for myself, my husband was active duty Navy for 30 years so we never had the time to be in one place for a new build. I have always lived in a previously owned home. I think each has it's pluses and minuses.

Hi FastDogWalker2! There is no doubt those older homes have lots of charm.

For me it would be a blessing to NOT build a new home. I would drive myself up a wall vacillating back and forth on all the choices I would have to make!