Old House vs New Build: Which Is Best For First Time Buyers?

If you’ve been working hard to save a deposit and you’re almost ready to buy your own home, you might be wondering whether to opt for an old house or a new build.

Although I opted for a new build apartment and I’m really happy with it, I also see the advantages of older properties. If I decide to move in a few years, I’m open to buying an older house instead.

Here are a few things to think about before making the decision:

You’ll have less work to do on a new build…

When I moved into my new build flat, all I really had to do was fill it with furniture. There was no ripping up carpets or forking out for a new bathroom. Everything was brand new, making the moving in process much easier than if I’d have bought an old house.

However, it’s worth noting that new builds often come with what’s known as ‘snags’. Snags are basically errors such as marks on the walls or dents in cabinets. If you move in and you find anything wrong with the property, you must tell the developers so they can put it right. They’ll usually have a team of workers who will come to your home and fix everything they need to do. In a perfect world the developers would do a good job in the first place and you wouldn’t have to chase them, but unfortunately this is just the way it is.

Read more: Exactly How Much It Cost To Furnish My Home As A First Time Buyer

But there’s often satisfaction in making the place your own

Although a new build can make the moving in process reasonably stress-free, there’s some satisfaction in decorating your first home to make it your own. Besides, if you’re in the mood for a big project, you could buy an old house that hasn’t been decorated since the 60s and save yourself thousands of pounds.

To learn more about buying your first home, take a look at Can’t Swing a Cat’s first time buyer blog section.

You’ll be able to view an old house before you buy it…

Viewing an old property before buying it plays an essential role in the home-buying process. You’ll be able to look around, search for any sneaky issues, and assess your new neighbours. If you’re buying an off-plan (not built yet) new build, however, this isn’t a possibility and you’ll have to go off floorplans, computer generated images, and if you’re lucky, showrooms instead.

Buying an off-plan new build can sometimes save you money

Buying an off-plan new build can sometimes work out much cheaper than buying a relatively new house that was built just a few years ago. This is because developers know that buyers can be reluctant to buy a home they haven’t seen yet, but they want to get it sold asap so that as soon as it’s finished, they get their money.

Old houses can have more personality…

High ceilings, antique fireplaces and Victorian floorboards are just a few features that you may find in an old house that you won’t get with a new build. Old houses have personality and history. Your home may have its own romantic backstory, having been lived in by many families that came before you.

But there are plenty of ways to give your new build character

If you’re looking for that authentic old house vibe, a new build is unlikely to do it for you. But for those willing to be flexible, there’s nothing to stop you ‘roughing up’ your new build to make the interior resemble something from the 1950s, if that’s what you’re going for. The inside of your new build doesn’t have to be grey and baby pink like all the Insta-perfect homes you see on the ‘gram. Beautiful wallpaper, vintage furniture, and carefully-selected floorboards are just a few ways to give your first home character while still benefiting from the fact you’ve got a brand new boiler and you’re the first person ever to shit in the toilet.

Read more: The Pros and Cons of New Builds