WHY BUY AN OLDER HOME?

MORE CHARACTER

“Whilst a period home may require restoration and investment, the rewards of lovingly bringing original features back to life is immense,” says Daniel.

BEING ABLE TO SEE HOW ITS PRICE HAS CHANGED

“We all like to be nosy and being able to track the history of your home allows you to see how it’s increased in value and to view old listing photos from previous sales in recent years,” says Daniel.

“There’s plenty of snooping you can do on older properties to see how they – and their value – (have) changed over time.”

A ‘TRIED AND TESTED’ PROPERTY

With a new-build home, it may feel hard to visualise what the property would eventually be like to live in, particularly if it is not yet completed or unfurnished. But with a “second-hand” home which already has occupants, this may be much easier.

The existing owner may also be able to tell you how the property has suited their needs, which can be useful when working out how you may want to adapt it. It may also be worthwhile carrying out a more detailed survey, though, on an older property.

AN ESTABLISHED GARDEN

Ideally, your garden will have already been well-loved and cared for by its previous owners, reducing the need to stock up on new plants and shrubs at the garden centre. Of course, if the previous owners weren’t green-fingered or neglected their outdoor space, then money may need to be spent to put right.

A CENTRAL LOCATION

“Older properties tend to be in more central locations within towns and cities, so nearer to conveniences such as schools, shops and transport links,” says Daniel.

POTENTIAL TO ADD VALUE

“This could be in the form of aesthetic improvements to give a fresh look, such as painting, or bigger-scale additions, such as knocking through walls to create bigger spaces or even extending,” says Daniel.

If you’re considering buying a “doer upper”, it may be worth getting a selection quotes beforehand, so you can work out whether it’s worth it.