Buying an older home can be a rewarding experience. Not only do you get to enjoy the historical charm, you also save money as older homes typically cost less than newer ones. Before you decide to buy one, here are ten facts you need to know before making your final decision. First let’s examine the benefits:

1) Price Range – Older homes tend to be priced more reasonably than newer construction homes. Although you may find the opposite to be true with vintage homes located in the heart of metropolitan areas.

2) Construction – Older Homes are usually constructed with higher grade materials such as thicker beams, solid walls, heavy duty fixtures, and solid wood doors.

3) Old Town Feel – In an older community,you get to enjoy the ambiance of an established neighborhood as you stroll down the street. If you decide to live in a newer community, you won’t know what to expect besides the builder’s architectural drawings and a creative imagination.

4) Mature Landscaping – Unlike a newer community, older neighborhoods feature mature landscaping with mature trees and flowers.

5) Charm – Older homes exhibit unique decorative accents and character such as beautiful crown moldings, durable built-in cabinetry, and sturdy hardwood flooring. You won’t find these upgrades in a new home unless you invest money to add these details.

Although there are many benefits to owning an older home, there are also drawbacks:

6) Replacement Costs – Years of wear and tear require you to invest money to replace worn water heaters, fixtures, appliances, and other upgrade costs.

7) Energy Efficiency – Older Homes are constructed of less energy efficient materials so you’ll spend more on energy costs to keep your home warm in the winter and cool during the summer.
Decor – Older homes tend to have outdated wallpaper, paint colors, and flooring. Be prepared to spend lots of time removing and upgrading the decor to suit your taste.

9) Inconvenient Floor Plan – Homeowners in a previous era had a different lifestyle. You’ll find less emphasis on an ergonomic layout with large rooms. If you plan on installing a large screen TV or converting a room into a home office, you’ll have to use extra creativity to make it work.

10) Expect A Lower Resale Value When It’s Time To Sell – For the same reason why you were able to afford your home in the first place, older homes tend to have a lower resale value compared to a similar sized newer home.

Looking to find the best deal on a home in Southern California, check out these local Anaheim Realtors and Anaheim Hills Realtors for the best deals.