5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Buying an Older Home
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While newer homes can look very appealing with their shiny appliances and updated floor plans, older homes may be a smarter option in the long run. Be sure to consider these five reasons why you should consider an older home the next time you go house shopping in your area. Let’s get straight into it!
Unique Floor Plans or Architecture:
There can be some very neat architecture designs, creating lots of character in an older home. We used to live in a newer, cookie-cutter neighborhood. All of the floor plans were the same in every home in the neighborhood, and the houses were crammed together. The older homes can have some pretty awesome features; such as a unique fireplace design using real stone and less of the cheap looking veneer options that newer homes use. Newer homes simply lack the character and unique design options that older homes have to offer.
We fell in love with our unique stone fireplace!
Older homes can have some pretty unique floor plans! They can also have floor plans that completely suck, making you feel closed in with small rooms and narrow hallways. However, many people will simply use this as an opportunity to increase the home’s value by opening up walls and adding other updates.
Sturdy Building Materials:
Before I say anymore about this next reason, I want to start by saying that newer homes are safe and up to code with their building materials (or at least they should be). That being said, older homes just feel like they have “better bones” than the newer homes. Most homes built in the mid-1900s have older wood that is more sturdy. Old wood is heavier and denser than the wood used nowadays to build new homes. Also, the drywall options are more structurally sound than the cheaper drywall used today. Many newer homes get built very quickly and with cheaper builder-grade materials, resulting in a home that will need many repairs sooner down the road. Have you ever heard the term “They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.”? This can very much apply to homes built nowadays. Older homes were built to last a lifetime, requiring less maintenance and repairs overtime.
Large Lot Size with Mature Trees:
Some people might like having a smaller yard to maintain, but a lot of people want space for their family to enjoy the outdoors. There is something to be said for having a big yard with big mature trees, where the kids and dog can run around and play. The mature trees help create more privacy and value to the property, which also adds to that charm factor that older homes have to offer.
Our yard is now fully fenced in, but this photo shows how nicely those mature trees can add character and privacy.
We love that our HOA has very little to no restrictions on outdoor storage, such as sheds. We have one shed that came with the house, and it even has electricity running to it! We’ve toyed with the idea of building another shed to use more as an additional home office or private little getaway. We found these free shed design plans that look interesting!
Home Value:
The value of your home can definitely be increased with some updates and maintenance. However, the value of newer homes tends to start out high with a fresh build, but then lacks much growth in the years that follow. For some neighborhoods, it doesn’t matter how many updates you try to do…quartz countertops, stainless steal appliance, etc…the home will cap out at whatever price other homes are selling for in the surrounding area and without the unique design features that can make an older home stand out in a competitive market. There is more investment opportunity with an older home, and emphasizing or updating an architectural feature will only make that home look more unique. Using a home design tool can help you discover unique ways to design your updates that you are thinking about doing, before committing to an actual design.
Unique Storage Options:
When it comes to families with a lot of stuff, storage is a must. Many homes built in the mid-1900s offer a mini barn, basement with utility room, big attics with pull down stairs, and sometimes there are even more closets hidden in funny spaces. Our fixer upper has two closets by the front door, and another off the kitchen that we call “the silly pantry”. It is essentially a closet over the basement stairs in the hallway between the kitchen and garage. The space is only a little over 5 feet tall, but is quite deep with built-in shelving. It is a neat little storage area that you would only find in an older home. I’m not promising that every older home would offer unique storage options, nor am I saying that newer homes do not have unique storage options available to homeowners. Be sure to check behind every door in a home that you are looking to purchase, and check with the HOA about adding additional storage outside your home if needed.
Our foyer with two closets. We thought about turning the larger closet into a half-bath. The other one is being used to store dance costumes right now. What do you think?
