subject: Spanish Property - Should You Buy An Old Or New? [print this page] Should you look for an older Spanish property such as a villa or an old house, or should you search for a brand new development? There are many choices of older traditional style Spanish property and modern housing developments, so would you prefer to live in an older home or have a new house?
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of old and new Spanish property:
Advantages to Older Spanish Property
The older style homes in Spain will have more character, with old world construction and unique period architectural details.
When an older Spanish property has stood for many decades, you know that it is solid and well-constructed.
Older Spanish properties are likely to be located in more established and historical areas of Spain, with more culture, art and history.
If you are doing renovations on an older Spanish property you will have the freedom to create the house of your dreams.
Disadvantages of an Older Spanish Property
Because the property is getting old, it might require quite a bit of maintenance. If it has been neglected over the years some serious repair work might be needed.
Your older Spanish property might not be up to the current code regulations, meaning that you will have to do some work to make it safe especially if you are going to be renting it out as a holiday accommodation.
You might struggle to incorporate modern appliances, technology, and media on the old fashioned wiring system of the house.
Advantages to Buying a Newer Spanish Property
You wont likely need to do any maintenance for quite some time, because the house has just been constructed and everything is new.
All of the modern conveniences are included in the house, such as kitchen appliances, wireless internet hook-ups, and more.
Newer homes are usually more energy efficient, which will save you money in the long run.
Many people renting holiday homes in Spain for accommodation are attracted to new homes for their comfort and luxury, so you can use your homes newness as an advertising feature when listing your rental property.
Disadvantages of Buying a Newer Spanish Property
In resorts and housing developments, all of the homes look the same. Some people are bothered by this, wanting to have their own unique dwelling.
If you are buying from an unreliable builder you might be faced with a nasty surprise when you find that they have cut corners in construction and left you with a house that begins falling apart at the seams after only a few years.
Newer homes are usually located on brand new tourist resorts or suburb developments. This can mean that you are somewhat isolated from the culture and the excitement of the nearby town or village.
Whether you choose a newer or older Spanish property in the end will be up to you, depending on your personal preference, lifestyle and budget.
Is it better to buy a brand new Spanish property or to buy an older home? Here are some of the pros and cons of each.