I had some out-of-town buyers this weekend. We looked at more than twenty-five properties, and the year built on those houses ranged from 1890 up to 2003. It got me thinking…old re-sale versus new construction – what are the pros and cons?!
A hundred-year-old home can be far superior to anything possible now from a standpoint of construction methods, strength, and stability. The character of a home built in 1900 is hard to replicate – the wood work alone is one-of-a-kind!
In a home built between 1930 and 1950, asbestos may have been used in the insulation. Hot water and steam pipes in old houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape. Asbestos can be scary stuff, so be sure to consult a professional! The costly maintenance of keeping up with repairs on an older home may be a real downer for your family budget!
New construction is exciting, brand-new, and something you’ve worked to create for your family! Contemporary style, extended warranties, and energy efficient appliances – what’s not to love?!
With new construction, usually comes homeowners associations, and that adds to your household budget and limits the usage of your own property. Unless you have the budget for a custom home design, you may be limited to some cookie-cutter designs.
Which one would you choose? 
By Jill Curtis, talktotucker.com/jill.curtis
