10 Things You Know Before Buying a Vintage HomeOctober 14th, 2011
Author: Ron DarbyIf you’ve ever given much thought to buying a vintage property, you should be aware of certain advantages and disadvantages before following through with the purchase of 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) Established Community - It’s easier to experience the ambiance of the neighborhood by walking down the streets of an established neighborhood. With new homes, you only have architectural drawings and empty dirt lots to look at.
4) Established Landscaping - With older neighborhoods, you can stroll through the community and enjoy full grown trees, bushes, and mature landscaping. Newer homes will take years to fully develop.
5) Charm - Older homes tend to display greater details and character such as built-in cabinetry, artistic crown moldings, and classic wood floors. Newer homes usually lack these charming details unless you’re willing to spend money to upgrade it.
Although there are many benefits to owning an older home, there are also drawbacks:
6) You Need To Invest Money To Upgrade The House - Unless it’s been remodeled, an older home will come with well used appliances and fixtures. Plan on replacing worn faucets, water heaters, and outdated lighting.
7) Higher Energy Costs - While older homes use more durable materials for construction, they aren’t the most energy efficient. Be prepared for higher heating and cooling costs with an older home.
Decor - Older homes tend to have outdated wallpaper, paint colors, and flooring. Be prepared to spend lots of time removing and upgrading the decor to suit your 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) Resale Value Is Less - Although older homes are more affordable, they also have lower resale value compared to newer homes of equal size and features.
Looking to find the best deal on a home in Southern California, you’ll want to check out Corona Del Mar real estate and Berkeley real estate for the best deals.
