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Buying
a Previously Owned Home
There
are many factors one must consider when deciding between the purchase
of an older, previously ownedhome.
PLUSES
- More
character
Buying a home in a new development, especially where there is only one
builder/developer, almost guarantees that the houses will all be the
same style. In many cases there is a limited number of floor plans and
exterior designs, so your neighbors may have the exact same house as
yours. In Port Townsed the neighborhoods include many unique styles
of homes - Victorian, Cape Cod, modern Ranch style, cottage, Northwestern,
and more. If having diversity in the neighborhood suits you, consider
an area of older homes.
-
Established neighborhood
If you spend a bit of time in the area of older home you're considering,
you'll get a good feel for the neighborhood. You'll be able to tell
if it's a mixed neighborhood with young families with children, families
with older kids, and retired folks. Or you may find it's all young families
or all older, 55+ people. With a home in a new development, there is
no definition of those who will be living there.
-
Mature Landscaping
The hefty cost of designing and obtaining plants and trees is not an
issue with an older home. And you often get some delightful surprises,
such as established berry plants and raised beds for vegetable gardens.
It's not uncommon to see 100+ year-old trees providing canopies in yards
around Port Townsend. You may even see some swings hanging from the
lower branches of these giant evergreens.
MINUSES
- More
maintenance
Things
tend to go wear out periodically, and it seems as if there's always
something to fix on an older home. Replacing appliances, reparing plumbing,
and other such are part of the experience of being a home owner - especially
if you purchase an older home. To avoid nasty surprises, always hire
a professional home inspector
before you close the purchse of your new house.
- Expensive
replacements
Older homes often have galvanized pipes, which are are rust-prone, as
opposed to copper piping of today's home construction. Sensitive electronics
require grounded wiring, and newer Romex wiring can't be mixed with
old-fashioned knob and tube. Older windows that are single pane wood
or aluminum frame are highly energy inefficient. Replacement costs can
run several thousand dollars.
- Smaller
spaces
Before today's concept of "bigger is better," people had less clothing,
fewer personal items to store and only one car. Some older homes don't
even have a garage! With the exception of estates, many older homes
are smaller in size, even though family sizes were larger when they
were built.
- Often
more expensive
Classic and vintage homes generally cost more because of their desireablity
and rarity. Also, unless they've had major upgrades, such as wiring,
plumbing, and foundation, down the road you may find yourself with some
hefty remodeling expenses.
- Unusual
floorplans
Today's homes are designed with the today's lifestyles in mind. Separate
spaces for offices, exercising, and entertainment are typically included
as standard design. Older homes may have three bedrooms, but only one
bath.
Call
me to set up a convenient time to interview me as your Real Estate
Guy
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Have
a question about real estate in Port Townsend and surrounding areas?
Let me
help you. All my years of experience as a Realtor have given me a wealth
of knowledge about selling and buying real estate. If I don't already
have the answer to your question, I know just where to go to get it. Simply
use this handy
form.
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