Out with the old and in with the new? Or, out with the old and in with the old?

Moving house can be wonderful but how do you choose where you will be living next?

Do you go for the period property with the character and quirks in need of a little love and attention, or do you opt for the new house with the ensuite, the study space and the double garage?

Choosing your next home in London is a big decision. It’s a huge investment and so it must be right.

At Cribs Estates Ltd we’ve seen our fair share of old and new, so let’s look at what you should be considering when choosing.

What do you really want?

We speak with people all the time who know exactly what it is they want! However, equally, many don’t. So, what do you want from a new-to-you property?

• Do you want a ready-to-live-in house?
• Would you rather have a property where you know you will need to do some work?

Write the pros and cons of new and old and have a good ponder on the type of house you want.

Do you have the skills?

You may have decided that you want a doer-upper. You know the type. External walls need rendering, a rewire is required, new bathroom suite, the kitchen needs replacing…

But do you have the skills to do the work?

If you do, then great.

Do you have the time?

If you do, then greater still.

If you don’t, then this should steer you away from a house that needs work unless you have the budget to pay for professionals. If you’re going to bodge it, will it really become the home of your dreams? Unlikely! So, think carefully before taking on too much.

Is money no object, or are your finances tight?

Budgets play a huge part in any project, whether it’s a house you are renovating, or a new property that needs carpeting or decorating to your taste.

If you want to renovate, have you worked out all that you need to do, whether that’s materials or labour costs? And what about a contingency fund? What you don’t want to do is have a list of things to do and then forget important aspects which mean the budget is smashed through the roof.

You can of course renovate on a budget, but if you have not fully costed everything, you may be in for a shock.

New can mean brand new!

A new home is so easy to move into. You can practically unpack, add furniture and be having a cuppa within an hour or two!

If it is brand new, then there should be warranties on white goods or on the building itself, giving you peace of mind so brand new can be an ideal option if your skills are limited, your budget tight, and, to be honest, you don’t want to renovate a property.

Is an older property better?

Many older houses are perceived to have been better built than newer ones. It’s true, they might have more substantial building materials used in the construction process, have intricate tiled patterns, more spacious rooms, larger gardens, or handmade bricks.

But… newer homes will have up-to-date environmental standards, materials sourced from environmentally conscious suppliers, have better insulation, and have electric and plumbing systems that are unlikely to require replacing.

There are always going to be pros and cons to any house you buy, whether it’s an old one or a new one.

Right now, we don’t know what your requirements are, so come and talk to us and we’ll be able to help you make the right choice. In London we’re lucky that we have old and new properties coming to market, so we could have the ideal house for you.

What do you prefer, old or new?

Call us on 0203 441 1571 or email info@cribsestates.co.uk and let us know what you’re looking for.