Would you prefer a big/newer tract style house on a smaller lot or a smaller/older house on a larger lot? Number of bedrooms and price are in the same ballpark range...
I think we are leaning towards a newer tract home but the short set back from the street, close proximity to the house next door and small yard bother us!
persimmon / 1341 posts
Smaller/older with bigger lot for us. I'm very cautious about new construction these days because they often include a lot of short cuts and cheap fixes that end up costing a fortune down the road.
eggplant / 11824 posts
I agree with what @Eeh said, especially if the new home was built during the housing boom.
Could you build an addition onto the older home?
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@eeh: I totally agree!
My perfect style is a 100 year old craftsman, but right now we have a beautiful Victorian and if our contingency offer goes through, we'll be moving to another Victorian in SLC (but this one is on a double lot!)
clementine / 773 posts
I have an initial attraction to newer houses, but I agree about construction issues, and boo to tiny lots!
Older/smaller houses have more of a "home" feel. When we start looking again, I plan on looking at older houses that have been updated or have update potential. My parents have put two additions on their house of the years, and it really changed the look and feel of the house. Also, the neighborhood feel of older houses is different. I like that the trees are bigger - of course, that could also be a problem if you have a lot of strong storms come through!
pineapple / 12793 posts
You can always renovate and add to the smaller house on the big lot, but with the new construction you'll always be limited by your lot size.
For me personally I'd rather not live in new construction unless I had worked on it and trust the contractors.
pomegranate / 3729 posts
I would loooooove an old victorian, craftsman, or colonial on a nice big lot. DH thinks that all old houses with any kind of style are haunted. Haha.
grape / 86 posts
Even though whenever we're in the midst of a big project I whine that "next time we're getting a NEW house", what I really love about our (older, smaller) home is that there are so many opportunities to update it and really make it "ours". I feel like that would be trickier in a newer home for some reason, if nothing else for the added cost factor of everything being larger!
But the main reason we chose our home was the neighborhood... we love it. It is in a great school district for our future kids, is walkable to some cute shops/restaurants/parks, and is just a 10 minute drive to downtown. Any size house on any size lot in another neighborhood would have easily lost to what we chose.
So if both the homes you are considering are in the same neighborhood, just go with your gut on whichever house you like better. If they're in different neighborhoods, be sure to take that into consideration!
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
@chopsuey119: I agree. I find older homes to be more work , and I worry about bad plumbing, electrical, ease of critter entrance etc. our home was built 13 years ago and it is structurally very sound.
grapefruit / 4079 posts
Older, large lot for us. I love older homes. An old craftsman is my dream. However, my parents live in a small town in the middle of no where and are bulding a new house on 9 acres that is a craftsman. And the contracter is a family friend (the town literally has 1 stop light, no gas station, and 1 school for grades K-12). That would be wonderful!
GOLD / pear / 1845 posts
My dream house would be older (20's maybe? Arts and Craft would be amazing?), smallish, newly renovated (we aren't handy) on a big lot with a fenced yard.
I want the character of an older house with the insulation, windows and appliances of a new house!
eggplant / 11287 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: I already have my dream house picked out and it is a craftsman (with a beautiful porch) build in 1905!!! Same taste!
I could never, ever live in a new house!
The house we live in now is 60 years old but newly remodeled with new appliances, windows, etc. But it has all original hardwood that I am in love with!
coconut / 8299 posts
I prefer newer homes too. we lI've in an
older townhome right now and we end up having to constantly upgrade and fix things. i also just like the look and feel of newer homes.
pineapple / 12526 posts
Older/smaller with larger lot.
I prefer historic homes with lots of characters. I hate how cold new construction always seems.
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
Older. I'm not into new or modern. And I don't really feel like I need a big house, just more to clean.
persimmon / 1453 posts
Ultimately I just like a house that's well constructed, well maintained, and styled traditionally. Old houses can be really neglected and new houses usually have crap construction, so the age factor balances out. And space/layout is always important.
pineapple / 12234 posts
New house!!! But it depends on the quality of the construction.
We have a 52 year-old house and it's a money pit even though it's been recently completely renovated. We're on a half acre though. Maybe we bought a lemon. All houses have problems and then there's our house and the problems are never ending!
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
I love older houses, but with newer floors... a big plus with a newborn!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Old house on large lot is out new forever home! I'm not a fan I new builds.
coffee bean / 38 posts
I love newer homes!
I like the outside look of older homes but I don't want to deal with the up-keep and frustrations and I love the open concept modern look of the insides of newer homes.
In regards to the lots, I don't mind a small yard. As long as there is enough for the dog to run around a bit I'm happy. I don't want to have to take care of a large yard!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I love love love older homes!!
I want to build our own house, but it would be older home style but with modern conveniences. I like updated older homes.
I feel like many newer homes, at least in our area, compromise quality.
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
I'd rather have a newer home, if it is quality built. Less problems to fix. It does need character, though.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@Coco Bee: we do a lot of modern contemporary furnishing to contrast with the classic construction. Our bedroom is a perfect example (which I can't post right this minute).
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