Archive for November, 2009
One of the most significant questions you’ll have to address is whether you’d prefer to buy a newer structure or an older one. There are up and down sides to each.
Older homes can offer charming architectural detail and often larger rooms than you’ll find in more contemporary styles. On the other hand, those big rooms with high ceilings can cost a lot more to heat. Newer homes are likely to be better insulated and more energy-efficient.
Newer homes also offer the promise — but not the guarantee — of having fewer structural problems in the early years. A newer heating system, at least in theory, is less likely to break down than an older one. A four-year-old roof should last longer and be less prone to leaks than a roof that hasn’t been touched in twenty years. On the other hand, a new house is apt to cost more than an older one to begin with; with the savings, you might be able to fix the roof and put in the greenhouse. These kinds of trade-offs have to be made in terms of particular houses.