WHEN NOT TO BUY THIS OLD HOUSE

Buy a city house, buy a country house, buy a large house, buy a small house: whenever we decide to buy any house, we have a handful of choices to make. Included in this is the decision to buy a new house or an old house. While both have their advantages and disadvantages, an old house takes a certain personality to make it work and not all older homes are for everyone, no matter what Bob Villa says.

Out of Style: It's true: old houses aren't very modern. It's not their fault, it's just a fact of life. From no pre-wiring for high speed Internet to no central heating, from no air conditioning to doors with weak locks, some old houses fail to have many of the amenities of newer homes. If up-to-date features are important to you, and you have no plans to renovate, an old house might not be the way to go.

Maintenance Bills: Certain old houses can lead to excess expense. An old house with poor insulation, for instance, will result in a heating bill that you swear has the decimal point in the wrong place. In addition, some old houses, particularly those who have had previous owners of the lazy variety, are more likely to need repairs than new houses. A old house that is worn and weathered may need a new roof, and an old house that has never had its windows replaced will probably need some new glass, leaving your checkbook in obvious "pane." Before you purchase, check out if your house has aged horribly, or if it's in such good shape you'd swear it took Botox.

Hidden Surprises: With new houses, you can often get warranties from the builder. If something goes wrong, they will fix it for free. This doesn't happen with old houses, houses that are more likely to need warranty. If the floor starts to rot or the house is invaded by termites, you are on your own. For this reason, it's imperative to put your house through a thorough inspection before you even think about buying.

Unbending Covenants: Old houses are often located in old neighborhoods, neighborhoods full of residents that may be set in their ways. The development in which the house is located may also be set in its ways, placing restrictions on what you can and can not do in regards to renovation. If you find an Old house that you'd just love to fix up, it's wise to make sure you won't be penalized for doing so.

Old houses can be filled with charm and character; for some people they are the ideal place to reside. But, before deciding between old and new, keep in mind the work that might go with an old house and then decide if its something you (literally) want to get into.