Five Reasons an Old Home Might Be Right For You

We understand the appeal of moving into a newly constructed home. After all, it's hard not to be enticed by brand-It can be oh-so enticing to want to move into a brand new home.  The new appliances, floors, and modern styles and lack of having to put any work into it really make it seem perfect.  Older homes shouldn't be counted out, though.  Most older homes have so much potential for you to really make them your own, perfect dream home, with so much history and charm build in.  An older home can also help save you lots of money.  Keep reading to find the top five reasons an old home purchase might be right for you, and click this link to read the full article.

1. Old homes are cheaper than new homes

What classifies as an older home? In general, if a home does not use or contain modern materials such as high-performance concrete, it qualifies as "old." Normally, these homes would have been built before 1970.Shelley Cluff, a real estate broker and owner of Park Place Homes, in Midland, MI, explains that an older home gives you substantially more bang for your buck."On average, a comparably sized new construction can sell for 10% to 20% more than an older, updated home," she says. While newer homes might cost less to maintain, they are also built with different materials such as energy-efficient products that drive up the cost of building them and, by extension, the cost of buying them.

2. Old homes have better-quality construction

The saying "they don't build 'em like they used to" is generally true. Established houses are built to last, and many aspects of the construction cannot be reproduced today. Older homes might be built with wood made from old-growth trees (trees that attained great age by not being significantly disturbed) and therefore more resistant to rot and warping.Even the walls are likely different. In an older home they're probably built with plaster and lathe, making them structurally stronger than the drywall construction of modern homes. These older materials also provide a better sound barrier and insulation.

3. Old homes are often in established locations

When choosing a neighborhood, home buyers weigh a number of factors—including the school district, crime rate, and walkability. If you're looking at buying an old house, chances are it's in a well-established, and probably stable, area. This is a good thing.