"enuff" wrote in message
...

"mark al" wrote in message
om...
im just about to buy my first house and would like opinions, advice etc
what are the pros and cons of buying a victorian/edwardian house as
oppposed to buying a new house.any views will be read with interest.

Having owned both brand new and old I would now go for older properties.
IMO
the main advantages are that they tend to be on larger plots, have larger
rooms and in many instances more substantially built which in theory makes
things like loft conversions easier etc. Also larger plots mean more room
around you, more privacy and space to "expand" with extensions at a later
date. Because of this potential I also think they are a better investment
financially. On top of this (if you can find an unmolested one) they offer
more character than most new builds.

The disadvantages will depend of the individual property. Our last one
needed rewiring, central heating, new kitchen and bath plus redecoration.
Something most "older" houses need at some point in their lives. A newer
house may not need any of these. Also IME older houses need ongoing
maintenance to stop them declining, newer houses less so.

In short older houses will cost money at some point, in all likelyhood
more
than a new one. But if you buy carefully, make sure you are aware of what
you're getting into and use a good surveyor I'd go with an old house
every
time.

Large new houses are available. They also have far higher insulation levels
making them more comfortable in summer and winter.


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