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HomesBuying a home is probably the biggest investment you will make in your life, so you need to be sure you use foresight in making an educated real estate decision. If you opt for single family homes over townhomes or manufactured homes, choices such as whether to buy a new home or an old home or have one built to your own specifications will affect your everyday life for some time to come. You have to be sure you know what will make you happy and whether you prefer a more traditional style home or a modern design home when you are shopping homes for sale.. Should You Buy a New Home or Old Home? There are benefits to both buying new homes and buying old homes. Home builders have changed a lot over the last fifty years in the materials they use and the style of houses they erect. You could expect an older style home to have high ceilings, large rooms and be a solid, hard wood construction. Older homes have a certain classic and traditional feel to them and some are considered heritage. If you like the layout of old homes, but prefer a more modern, fresh décor, you may like to buy one and renovate it with modern fittings. New homes are growing in popularity, and many buyers are choosing to purchase cheaper "knock downs" and rebuild new houses in their place. When you buy a new home they come ready to live in and everything is brand new. If you like the idea of being the only person who has ever used the bathroom or kitchen, buying a new home is probably for you. New homes feel clean and modern and are usually fitted with up-to-date and fashionable items. You would expect to pay a higher price for a new house, but they can hold their value better than an old home. When choosing to buy new, make sure you check the current new home tax you will have to pay, as these laws vary from state to state. Popular Home Styles When a certain style of home becomes trendy, it can stay in fashion for a decade or more with little change. In today's environment, there are three home styles that are proving to be particularly popular; these are Pre WWII, Mid-Century and Mediterranean. There are also particular features that are sought after in the design of the kitchens, bathrooms and soft furnishings. If you like the Pre WWII style, you will be looking for a home construction that is Victorian looking with old world character. Those of you who want to buy a Mid-Century design will want houses that were built between the nineteen forties and mid nineteen sixties. These homes have more flat rooftops with triangular windows and open plan living. The Mediterranean style comes from Italy and Spain and more buyers are choosing it all the time. If this is your cup of tea, you will like homes that have grand entrances, rounded edges, terracotta color schemes and ceramic tiles. If you like a home with a cool, simple feel, then Mediterranean is for you. It doesn't matter which style you choose, you really need to work out the specifics of what you want before you go ahead and purchase any property. Things such as the number of bathrooms, kitchen layout, bedroom locations, land size and neighborhood should all be considered. It is a good idea to write a list of what your preferences are and then write another list of what you absolutely don't want in a home. Things like wall paint and carpet color can be changed, where as a kitchen countertop you hate may be more difficult for you to re-do. You should make this list whether you are shopping through a real estate firm or a home for sale by owner. Home Builder Tips If you have decided to hire a home builder to create your dream home property, there are some things to be sure to check before they begin working for you. You have to be sure they have the appropriate insurance and licenses for building your home. In some states, failure to have proper licenses will void contractual agreements and could leave both the home builders and homeowners in the lurch. It is a good idea to ask around and rely on word of mouth when choosing a home builder for your house. If they have happy customers in your area, then you are more likely to become one yourself as well. This not only applies to your builder, but any other construction trades person you need to hire along the way. Whether you choose to buy a new home or an old home, you want to be sure you are happy and comfortable for a long time to come. Try to write a comprehensive list of everything you are looking for and if you decide to hire a home builder, make sure they are reputable. If you do want to buy a home and renovate it, choose one that won't require work that is beyond your budget or you could be stuck with a design you are unhappy with for longer than expected. |
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