If the look of a brand new home in a newer subdivision doesn’t agree with you, or if you don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with a new home builder and the nightmare of construction delays and laborer’s strikes you so often read about in the real estate news section, buying a resale home might be the right move for you. Some positive features include:
* Older homes have individual features that lend character to the property; rarely will you find two older homes that look exactly alike the way you do in a new subdivision. Generally, older homes are built with privacy as a foremost consideration, windows are spaced properly apart from the home next-door and the spacing between homes seems generous.
* Landscaping around an older home is well established. Lawns and sidewalks are already in place and mature shrubs and trees provide shade and privacy.
* Neighborhood conveniences such as shopping, schools, parks and public transportation are within easy reach.
* Older homes often offer “extras” such as a swimming pool, hot tub, satellite dish or finished basement and customized cabinetry throughout the home or a garage that would cost new homeowners thousands of dollars to buy new or install.
* Last but not least, you can move into a resale home right away. Flooring, carpeting and light fixtures are already installed and with a home inspection prior to closing, there should be no surprises about the state of the home when you take ownership.
On the flip side, there may be difficulties that arise in buying a resale home:
* Some resale homes are not in move-in condition and may require repairs or renovations to bring the property up to its potential. Minor renovations may be necessary to update the kitchen or bathroom to meet your needs or minor repairs required to adhere to local building or safety codes.
* A resale home reflects the tastes of the previous owner or perhaps even multiple owners and may not feel like home to you until you decorate in your own personal taste.
* Older homes are simply smaller than newer homes. Space restraints felt in the hallways, bedrooms, closets, bathrooms (if more than one), kitchen, and even the doorframes makes you wonder how small in stature the generation was before you. Even some older basements have less than 6-foot high ceilings.
* Unlike new home owners who work closely with the home builder and his tradesmen, the buyer of a resale home has no say in the layout of the home or the building materials used, so the building’s structure may not meet your expectations.
Just remember, there are a lot of things to consider when buying any home but an older resale home has an element of character you might not find in a newer model.
home-inspection
