Some people like to think about buying a brand new house as their new home and some people like to think of buying an older periodic character homes. But other than character and which one you like best, have you thought of the pros and cons of buying a new house or an older house?
When buying older periodic homes you will have different aspects to consider and decisions to make compared to buying a brand new house which should have a NHBC certificate which is like a repair warranty for 10 years.
When buying an older property you will want to ensure that the structure of the house is in good condition and is as expected for its age. You will want to ensure that you get a detailed survey carried out by a surveyor who specialises in period homes. You may need to consider repairs that might need doing when you move into the house and also consider whether with these repairs you will be able to move into the house straight away or will you need to find any temporary accommodation if you are selling your own home to buy your new home. Character and period homes can be really rewarding and can provide a solid home for you and your family to live in. You can undertake to add some nice neat modern touches to these homes whilst still keeping their original features which will give you a very unique and desirable home.
When buying a brand new home you will have to consider that even though you have the security of a 10 year policy to cover defects and any appliances would have their own warranty there could be other factors which you have not considered. You could find that these new houses have no character, lots of smaller houses backing on to each other which means you can be quite close to your neighbours as well as the quality, solidity and sturdiness of these houses are not as strong and always the same as the older homes. You may find that the finishings are not of the same standard as expected and you can find that some developers try to keep their costs as low as possible and some corners can be cut to what you first thought you would be buying. There may be small leaks or problems which get encountered and even though you have the NHBC warranty you will still have inconvenience. You may not have a garden, TV or phone lines installed or even an aerial unless you have negotiated any of these with your developer.
You can see that there are pros and cons for each type of home you are looking to buy but one will suit you more than the other.
By: Tracy Wallbank