Antique or New House?

Dear Melissa:

I’m house-hunting and the unthinkable has happened. I’ve fallen in love with an antique house with crooked walls and slanting floors. My friends are advising me to buy “new”, but my heart says this is the one. What should I do? N.K.., ME 

Dear N.,

Go with your heart, as long as your head agrees.

Of course the antique house has crooked walls and slanting floors. Goodness knows humans settle, too! However, that’s part of the charm. Talk to some owners of antique homes to get a feel for the lifestyle. Wonderful old homes often require concessions to modern living. They can be drafty and noisy (those creaks in the night and clanging pipes.) They require diligent ongoing maintenance, which can be expensive. Of course, if you truly desire an antique home, this is a labor of love.

Make sure you hire a qualified home inspector who specializes in old houses. He/she will understand the peculiarities of such a home’s wiring, plumbing, heating and structural systems. If there are significant problems, consider whether you have the financial and emotional wherewithal to correct them. I recommend waiting at least six months before considering any structural changes that may impact the home’s historical value. Get a feel for how you live in the house first, and always remember why you bought it in the first place. Good luck! M.A.K.

Renovate or Sell

Dear Melissa:

Is it less expensive to renovate your house or buy a new one and move? I realize that since houses are cheaper to buy, mine is going to sell for less too. That part would be a wash. L.C., GA

Dear L.:

With the real estate market the way it is, I’ve grappled with this one myself recently. Unless your house is falling down or in need of a serious overhaul, it can be much less costly to renovate. (What did you expect a decorator to tell you?)

Seriously though, unless you discover your dream house on the market, you’ll still have to make any new house your own by freshening up tired rooms and eliminating the current colors. Add to this the cost of the closing, realtor, legal, and moving fees. So, do the math. And let’s face it, at least you already know the pluses and minuses of your current house and neighborhood.

If you are really unhappy in your present house, perhaps a better question might be: Is it better to buy an existing house or build exactly what you want? I personally couldn’t deal with any more upheaval in my life. Can you? M.A.K.