Re: Which do you prefer?

stevieb · ‎03-10-2010

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.

In my pantry with my cupcakes...

okiebug · ‎04-05-2010

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.

Marsha2003 · ‎03-12-2010

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

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

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

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

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.

LooPY · ‎07-30-2011

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.

magicmoodz · ‎03-16-2010

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!

jubilant · ‎06-10-2010

My heart says older homes. My head says newer!

FastDogWalker2 · ‎03-10-2010

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.

magicmoodz · ‎03-16-2010

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!