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To state the obvious, when considering buying an older home, bear in mind that it is not a new home! As such, you cannot necessarily expect the foundations, floors, walls, ceilings, roofs and fittings (i.e. electrical, plumbing, and guttering etc.) to be in immaculate condition.

The foundations may have begun to crack or slide. The flooring may have water-rot or insect damage (e.g. borer or termites), and the carpets may be worn or damaged. The walls may be cracked and moldy, the paint may be chipped, or the wallpaper peeling. There may be holes in the ceiling and/ or roof that let in wind and rain. Plumbing, hot water cylinders etc. may also need replacing. In addition, old homes with high ceilings can be difficult and costly to cool and heat, and many old homes are dark for much of the day.

These are the potential drawbacks or challenges of purchasing an old house. However, there are many, many benefits of purchasing an older style home. Older houses have a character and charm that most new houses struggle to attain. Little nooks and crannies (e.g window seats, under-stair cupboards etc.) add personality and provide its inhabitants with quiet hideaways and retreats (and storage opportunities) that are so often missing from contemporary homes. From today's modern minimalist perspective, these 'unnecessary' features are a relief to those who appreciate old world charm and detail. In addition, for those with large families or those who appreciate the outdoors and having a sense of space, older homes often provide generously sized grounds and established gardens.

The purchase of an older-style home may initially neccisate a considerable outlay (i.e. the repair of floors, walls, ceilings and roofs etc.). However, problems such as dark rooms/ poor lighting are comparitively cheaper to fix. To illustrate, dark rooms can be brightened up with sensibly placed skylights; a mixture of floor and table lamps; effective placement of mirrors; and appropriate curtaining.

So whilst there may be many challenges in restoring an older home, undoubtedly, in the end the rewards will outweigh the drawbacks!

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