What does it take to purchase a lot and update and remodel an old house?

KC asked:


Which would be cheaper?

1. Purchasing a lot with an older house and remodeling and updated everything in it.

OR

2. Purchasing a lot and building a new house.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 at 7:24 pm and is filed under Remodeling Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

10 Responses to “What does it take to purchase a lot and update and remodel an old house?”

  1. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    I’d guess the former if it was in decent repairable shape.

  2. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    money

  3. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    in the long run you will spend close to the same some will depend on the workers and taxes.

  4. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    depends on how handy you are if you are a do
    it yourselfer I say #1

  5. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    Probably the second. “They don’t build them like they used to” is true. You have to do a lot of tearing out to replace things like electrical and plumbing.
    If you are only doing cosmetic changes, an older home may provide a less expensive shell.

  6. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    Only you can figure that one out.

  7. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    I just bought for 300,000, restored for 245,000 more. Appraised at 675,000.

  8. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    Hi it all about saving money if you good with your hands and willing to spend some money and time if not go for building a new for you as some repairs to lod houses can cost lots of money good luck.

  9. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    In your case buy what you see, seems you do not have any experience with the house so, do not get in to the pit falls and the hassles.

    You can get new home this way from builder’s inventory.

    You asked,” What does it take to purchase a lot and update and remodel an old house”?

    Depends on so many things. Have to shop around. Must find good bargain.

    Some times you can find some thing that is worth the efforts.

  10. Powered by Yahoo Answers Says:

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    Unless you have boundless energy, a specific vision, and know what you’re doing, the most efficient thing to do in the current market is to shop for a home that someone else has done all the work on.

    It is easier to obtain financing for an existing home than for a vacant lot. When there is a home on the lot, it can be appraised, and the bank has a better idea of the risk it is taking on. With a vacant lot, the buyer could default after not getting any farther than pouring footings, leaving the bank with something harder to sell than a vacant lot.

    The older house will have electrical, water (or well) and phone service in place and readily upgradeable. In any urban or suburban area, the older home will also have sewer hook ups.

    If you buy an exisiting home planning to remodel, it is very important that you identify any limitations. The community may have regulations in place that limit your ability to modify historic homes, or deviate too far from the size and style of the neighborhood.

    Good luck!