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Would you Buy or Build?

Posted on 6/5/25 at 4:50 am
Posted by Tiger328
Member since Mar 2017
806 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 4:50 am
My wife and I are ready to get out of the neighborhood life. We both grew up in smaller towns with a lot of seclusion so we’re ready to go back to that and raise our family in that situation. We’re at the crossroads of what we should do though. Would it make more sense to buy an older house on a plot of land? Or to buy a lot, clear it, and build our “dream home”? Thinking in this scenario both prices would be about the same

ETA: We are currently in Ascension Parish and looking to have no more than an hour commute to work, so surrounding areas are West Feliciana, Livingston, Tangipahoa that we are looking
This post was edited on 6/5/25 at 4:57 am
Posted by RetiredSaintsLsuFan
NW Arkansas
Member since Jun 2020
2008 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 5:55 am to
My first thought is do you have the know-how to build one yourself or would you hire someone to build what you want?

Many years ago my wife and I wanted to buy an older house and redo it. But while working on my boss's older home I decided I wanted no part of redoing an old home. I am a carpenter and it seems like an endless list of items to repair or replace. I am retired now and my choice would buy a lot and hire someone to build exactly what I want. We did this on one of our previous homes. I found the floorplan online and had the builder build it.
This post was edited on 6/5/25 at 5:56 am
Posted by Turnblad85
Member since Sep 2022
3271 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 6:26 am to
I will always recommend building new over trying to reno a place. There are exceptions, but usually best money is spent on new.

HGTV has pilled a lot of people into thinking renovations are glamorous and you'll have a better than new house. Rarely do I see a really quality renovation. One reason it it's as expensive as building new if done well. Always stuff cobbled together and hidden behind walls.


Start with a clean slate.
Posted by Elusiveporpi
Below I-10
Member since Feb 2011
2648 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 7:57 am to
I am in that situation right now and have been for a few years. We Kept looking for a remodel, or a newer house in the area we were looking to move to.

We looked at several houses and at the end of the day, you will pay the same or more for something that is 30 years old ,but would have a new interior, or a newer house that's not customized for you, and still a few years old.

We decided that if we are going to spend north of 500k, it should be exactly what we want, and brand new.

We acquired a lot 3 years ago, have plans drawn up, and are out for bids now.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
43678 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 8:30 am to
to me the land is more important than the house. i bought a small old house on beautiful property and after 20 years we are finally renovating, but i would do it again every single time. good dirt, big trees, secluded and quiet is what i wanted and what i got.

you can always do a tear down and rebuild
Posted by 9rocket
Member since Sep 2020
1461 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 8:52 am to
I’m with cgrand on this one. I always choose the existing house ( if you are capable of working on it). If you have to hire everything out building new may be the way for you.
Then again, I always choose the worst house on the street, or the neighborhood and go from there.
In a rural situation the homesite is the most important thing. If it has a house on it that you can live with, or make it work for you then great. If not, tear it down and build what you want.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
43678 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 12:06 pm to
quote:

and brand new
I’m a contractor (or I was till a few months ago). Brand new is seldom better and for me, less attractive

different strokes
Posted by Elusiveporpi
Below I-10
Member since Feb 2011
2648 posts
Posted on 6/5/25 at 1:06 pm to
quote:

and brand new
I’m a contractor (or I was till a few months ago). Brand new is seldom better and for me, less attractive

different strokes


Yup, and also, my wife will tell me what is better, true or not....
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