Buying a Home - 10 Facts You Need To Know About Buying An Older Home

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) Lower Price - As you search through listings of homes for sale, you'll find older homes selling for less than newer ones. This feature makes it an attractive option for homebuyers on a tight budget. However, the opposite can be true in certain metropolitan areas where land costs are high.

2) Construction - You'll find the workmanship and construction materials used in older homes to be higher in quality. Most older homes feature thicker beams, solid fixtures, heavy wood doors, and thicker walls.

3) A Community With History - In an established neighborhood, it's easier to experience the ambiance by driving through the area. When you look at new homes, it's difficult to get a feel of the community when you only have empty lots and drawings to look at.

4) Completely Developed Landscaping - Living in an older community allows you to enjoy the beauty of a mature landscape. Tall trees and fully grown bushes and flowers accentuate the charm of the community.

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.

While there are wonderful advantages to buying an older home, there are also drawbacks such as:

6) Improvement Costs - The appliances and fixtures in an older home have endured years of use and will require money to replace and upgrade. The water heater, light fixtures, and faucet handles will need to be replaced.

7) Energy Efficiency - Older Homes are constructed of less energy efficient materials so you'll spend more on energy costs to keep your home warm in the winter and cool during the summer.

8) Decor - An older home will usually feature old outdated colors, wall coverings, and flooring.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) Floor Plan Layout - Older homes were built for a different time period so you'll find smaller rooms and a less functional layout. Unless you plan on remodeling your home, you'll have to use your creativity to fit a flat screen plasma TV or home office.

10) Expect A Lower Resale Value When It's Time To Sell - For the same reason why you were able to afford your home in the first place, older homes tend to have a lower resale value compared to a similar sized newer home. - 31862

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