Old homes vs New homes? Which do you prefer?

I love talking with homeowners and architecture-lovers about housing preferences. And I find although many people want to be able to build for themselves a new home, many also love the architectural details found in old homes especially since it is hard to get these types of details in newer homes.

What about you? Which do you prefer? And why?

 

Old homes as in 'old school architecture?' I've never noticed much of a difference in architectural details between what you refer to as old homes and newer ones. Maybe the prices of houses is higher now? Honestly . . . I'm confused.

 

This is really too hard for me to make a choice. There is such charm and uniqueness in an old home... and it's fun to explore to see what great features people used to build into the old homes. But that opens the problem of things going wrong, needing to be repaired, and so on, a lot sooner than with a new home.

New homes should be a lot more trouble-free when it comes to having to replace/repair things, but... I'd not use the word charm with homes newer than... probably 30 years or so because I've never known that to be accurate.

Okay, I just made up my mind. I prefer an older home. Actually the older the better UNLESS it settles and creaks and moans and freaks me out... then I'd prefer something a wee bit newer.

 

I prefer a new home, nothing like having everything new considering it has quality. But above old or new I prefer location, location is the key for any home.

 

@Rainman Hi, I mean homes that were built in the 1800s and early and mid 1900s in America; even earlier, if you live in Europe. Style, work materials, and building techniques have changed with time and technology. So, there are subtle differences. Like today, most walls are built with card-board like material. In the past, real wood or stone separated rooms.

When I was studying in Italy a few years ago, a fellow classmate got angry one night and decided to punch his hand through the wall. He used to do that in the States because newer homes have soft walls. Unfortunately for him, he was staying in an older Italian home. He ended up having to leave Italy early with a broken hand.

There are of course exceptions to the rule and so forth. People with a lot of money are still building gorgeous homes. And alternative homes like earthships are getting quite creative. I'm just speaking generally here.

Like you, my preferences hop back and forth. I love the architectural details and uniqueness found in many older homes. It's so boring to see a neighborhood or city covered with the same style home. Subdivisions have taken away creativity. Anyway, I also love the quality in the workmanship. I've seen some wooden floors that were, and still are, spectacular. I also like a lot of the intricate molding in areas like the dining room. Even some of the doors are gorgeous. Again, the WORKMANSHIP!!!

But with all that said, I also loveeee newer homes, because they are new. They feel fresher. No creaking boards, no repairs... I also like how spacious newer homes are, with bigger rooms, bigger windows, and open floor plans. I wouldn't want to buy a house, old or new, that is dark and makes me feel moody or cramped.

 

You'd probably love what I've seen at the De Mesa Sanchez House in St. Augustine, Florida. Like they did sometimes in the early/mid 19th century, there is a *pattern* painted on the floor. It's beautiful... they did that to look like rugs without bothering with a rug. Very easy to clean, etc.

It's like you walk into the room with a "wow, gorgeous rug!" but then go to that area and you're still stepping on flat floor.

 

Wow, that's incredible!!! I love that kind of stuff. I don't think I've heard of that kind of wood floor painting. Cool!!! I wonder if I can find pictures of that on google. Did you take any?

 

I currently own an old home, and my advice would be, to any prospective first time buyer...don't buy an old home (unless it is mine). The allure of a unique old house is quickly eclipsed when you take control of the property and realize that the previous owners botched all of the repairs. They may cosmetically look okay, but rarely is an old home without some type of bad fix. At least with a new home, there is less time to have these problems.

 

I would rather build a new home from the bottom up. Buying an older home will have problems that slowly occur over time. Appliances start to breakdown, wood starts to rot, things need to be replaced. I can say now having purchased an older home that I would go back and invest in a brand new property. The same issues would occur but not immediately. I would like to enjoy my home a little without having to start the repair process.