Why Buy An Old House?

Even three years after our purchase, I sometimes still ask myself that very question...why? why? why? The bottom line for me is that a new home just doesn't compare. We looked at a lot of houses and it seemed whenever we looked at another, we would always compare it to this one. Why? I'm sure part of it was that we got a lot of house for the dollar (not to mention a decent piece of land). A big part of it is the history. This house is the oldest on the street. Reading the search is actually interesting (somewhat large document). It was originally part of a large farm. Over the years the acreage was gradually sold off.

I think there is something impressive about old houses that you just don't get with new builds. There is a character to them that just can't be explained or duplicated in a new build. There is a quality and solid feel to the workmanship on the house. This house has been here for 125 years and I'm not the least bit worried about it failing (at least structurally) in my lifetime.

There are always going to be issues. The previous owner put a lot of work into the house. Is it livable...absolutely. Is it complete...not for us. Actually as we dig more into it, we say that it's going to be a 30 year project (to match the 30 year mortgage). Not to say that any house isn't going to be a continuous string of projects; the problem with the old house and its projects is that you tend to run into 'quirks'. You start a project on the house doing it up to todays codes; the problem, the house was built under yesteryears codes. The question, how far do you delve in to update to todays codes. I usually leave it subject to my available time, money and my abilities.

Anyways, buy an old home, become friends with Home Depot and Lowes and maybe the Bargain Outlet to save a buck.