If we asked you to describe the kind of house you’d like to have, with money being no object, you’d probably describe a slick, shiny, and modern house. It’s perfectly natural, given that when buying something, we like to ensure that we are the first ones getting their hands on it.
It’s kind of like taking the plastic off a new phone and having that new phone smell hit your nose. There’s nothing quite like it, right? Well, not quite, because we would like to make a case as to why it is wiser to consider buying an older property. You will find that the pros unequivocally outweigh the cons.
Back in the Day, Homes Were Built Better
A lot of thought and labor went into standing up those houses – the kind where the exposed brick seems like it hit the kiln long before you were born – that you still see on your way to work. A general rule of thumb is that if a house is still standing strong after eighty or ninety-odd years, it will survive your moving in.
Let us understand why the construction quality of older houses trounces the newer builds any day of the week. The primary reason is that the building material had a little extra thought put into it. The wood used, untainted by modern chemicals and elements leaching into it, was dense and solid; naturally weather-resistant.
Furthermore, the people who prepared the plaster and the concrete were sticklers for the little details, as well as being proud of doing everything by hand. This helped to ensure that everything was where it exactly needed to be during construction.
They Cost Less
Nowadays, green sells. Not just the color, either, but also the way of life. Older properties weren’t necessarily built keeping in mind the ecological and environmental impact that they would have, especially if you compare it to the houses being built today.
This could work in your favor. Not only does it promote reusability and recycling, but it will cost you far less than buying a spanking new house.
Furthermore, older properties might not come equipped with the most modern of amenities. Expect a cast iron bathtub instead of a bubbling jacuzzi, a skylight instead of floor to ceiling windows, and so on. This drives down the cost, as well.
Granted, though, you might have to roll up your sleeves and prepare to get your paws dirty in order to make any updates that you might deem fit. However, it’s also a fabulous way to get to know your house and discover things that you might not have otherwise.
They Can be Found in Great Neighborhoods
A great neighborhood is a non-negotiable feature when buying a house, especially if you plan to move in with family. A great neighborhood will have sprawling parks, large, leafy trees, weathered sidewalks, a quality school district, and a smattering of small businesses.
An antique property will more often than not be found in these well-established and dependable neighborhoods, where good schools and good neighbors do not come at a premium. They’re a place for you to grow and to root yourself to.
Compare this to the subdivisions of your run-of-the-mill pre-planned suburban projects, where each house is indistinguishable from each other, and you have a no-brainer at your hands. Older houses are definitely much better in this regard.
They Usually Come With a Great Backyard
You’ve seen it in the movies, so you already know it’s true. Old, distinguished properties have a nice and lush backyard, complete with tire swing sets and freshly mown grass. It’s just the same in real life, as well.
A yard can have multiple applications. They can be a retreat that you look forward to with your children running around you, a place to read and to reflect in a hammock, or just a place to breathe in lungfuls of fresh air.
Compared to older builds, the builds which are newer generally have bigger houses but smaller lots. Hence, a newer home may not be able to be accommodating of your dreams of a home garden or of a white picket fence.
They Have Personality
Think about it: the home that you will be moving into will have lived through some of the most interesting and impactful events of human history. Plus, if the home has been well-maintained or lovingly restored, then it will usually retain its original details.
It’ll still have stuff like the original wooden floors, stone fireplaces, tiled roofing, and copper heating. It’s a blank canvas, really. Go crazy with decorating the place by perusing antiques for sale to help spruce it up, or install that jacuzzi you always wanted.
Buying a home is treading a fine line between want and need. So when you are thinking about your ideal home, keep an older property in mind, as well. They might just be what you have been looking for!
