New House Or Old House? What To Buy

key with home keyring in lock

If you’re looking to buy a house, dreaming up your wishlist is one of the most exciting parts of the process. Maybe you’re downsizing and want a space that better suits your lifestyle, or perhaps you’re fantasising about a bigger garden and an open-plan kitchen for a summer of entertaining. Whatever the goal of your upcoming move is, you will have to decide whether you would prefer to buy a new house or an old house as you whittle down your options and head off to property viewings.

Both old houses and new houses have advantages and disadvantages which can make it difficult to know what would suit you best. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so it’s important to weigh up these pros and cons alongside your own priorities to decide whether to go for new or old! To help you through this process, we’ve outlined the key factors to consider in this article.

Pros Of Buying An Old House

Greater Choice

Old houses will typically be the first that come up when you make a general property search. Keen vendors are putting their homes on the market at all times for all kinds of reasons, and you generally won’t have any problems finding old houses for sale in your area whereas you may be restricted to specific areas within your wider search region if you’re looking only at new builds – though we can’t advise about how many other keen owners will be interested too!

Character

If you opt to buy an old house, character is guaranteed. Period or original features undoubtedly add a unique charm to a property that cannot be replicated in a new build – even if developers have been inspired by certain eras in their designs. This kind of character gives your purchase its own distinct charm and is often the thing that makes us go ‘wow’ when viewing a property for the first time.

Add Value To It

With age comes wear and tear, which can be off-putting for some prospective buyers. However, many homeowners love the challenge of renovating or improving a property and this excitement can also allow you to add value to your home and make money from it. For example, you could add an extension, convert the loft, or fit a new kitchen to not only put your own stamp on the property but also boost its value.

Cons Of Buying An Old House

Poor Energy Efficiency

Old houses are not without their downsides. One of the most notable cons of buying an old house is that it is likely to have poor energy efficiency due to being built with old materials and outdated techniques. This can be costly to manage and you will likely experience consistently high energy costs. There are many ways that you can improve the energy efficiency of an old house, including by retrofitting a heat pump or underfloor heating, but it’s important to bear in mind that these upgrades will require monetary investment.

Maintenance Costs

As well as any costs associated with improving energy efficiency, old houses will typically require you to keep up with other ongoing maintenance costs. It is likely that you will need to budget more frequently to tend to wear and tear and keep a contingency fund ready in case of unexpected repairs.

Pros Of Buying A New House

Blank Canvas

When you buy a new home, you’re effectively purchasing a blank canvas. On the one hand, this means you can likely move in without doing anything to the property beforehand. However, it also means that you can put your own stamp on the space without having to work around the previous owner’s taste and style. As the development process is ongoing, you might also be able to work with the developer to choose the layout and your own fittings to create a space that works exactly how you want it to.

Improved Energy Efficiency

One of the main advantages of buying a new house is that it is likely to be more energy efficient. New homes have to be built with the latest building regulations in mind and these, coupled with the use of the latest building techniques and materials, can result in a higher energy efficiency rating than an equivalent old home. You may get to benefit from the inclusion of renewable heating solutions like air-to-water heat pumps and underfloor heating in your home which will not only reduce your energy bills but also create a more comfortable and homely environment.

Smaller Chain

When you step into a new home, you can do so with the excitement of knowing that you are its very first owner. Of course, this comes with the benefit of putting your own stamp on it as we have already discussed, but it’s also advantageous for practical reasons. As the first owner, there will be nobody else behind you in the buying chain. This can reduce the number of stressful delays that may be associated with the buying process – once your house is built and ready, there should be little holding you up from moving in.

Cons Of Buying A New House

Potential For Delays

While the lack of a chain can make buying a new home quicker than buying an old house, you may experience delays in other parts of the process. It’s not unheard of to have your move-in date pushed back at short notice which, as well as being downright inconvenient, can also be costly if it affects your mortgage offer and/or current living situation.

Snagging Issues

All care should be taken to ensure that your new home is perfect from the day that you move in and a snagging survey should take place before move-in day to ensure that any outstanding issues have been addressed by the builders. However, further issues are inevitable and you will likely notice small details that need to be addressed in your first couple of months settling in.

Whichever kind of house you decide to make your forever home, choosing the right home heating system can transform both a new and old house. Whether you want to retrofit the right solution to enhance an old property or are deciding what kind of technology to add to your new home, Pipelife can help. Our team are experts in renewable home heating solutions and can help you decide what is the best option for you. Get in touch today to find out more.

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