re: Why would anyone build a new house?

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Even full brick/stone houses these days look bad to me. Because instead of actual structural walls, it’s still just a veneer on 2x studs. It looks like it came out of a box. Very little new construction looks as good as a home built 60+ years ago that’s been well maintained.


How do you think they made most brick homes 60+ years ago? Do you think they just build straight brick wall 10' high and they stuck a roof on them?

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That's exactly how every home in my neighborhood built 60 years ago is built. They're all structural brick walls and you can tell easily compared to any new construction in the area that is also brick.

They're built with a double wythe brick structural walls on the exterior, no veneer/air gap.

Went through this last year. We worked with an architect and developed blueprints. We put a deposit down on a 3 acre tract of land in an estate subdivision development outside Baton Rouge.

Then Hurricane Ida hit and delayed approval of the subdivision. And I noticed some concerning things about the area related to drainage that lead me to believe that our chosen plot of land might not be ideal for our forever house. And since I'm not fond of alligators or mosquitos, I wasn't wild about the proximity to a large retention lake that the local government required.

Then the finalized estimates for the house came back at about $220/square foot, which we could have dealt with if the builders were confident that they could actually complete it before July 2022. Both of the builders we were working with expressed concerns getting materials and parts, and noted that construction could take 12 months easily. And we had to be in Louisiana for July 2022.

Then we happen to come across a listing in a great neighborhood for a house that had everything we wanted. It's walking distance to a lot of amenities, but still sits on a large 1+ acre lot. It was built in the 1960s by a builder known for excellent work, and it was designed by a semi-prominent local architect. Everything but the extra bedrooms had been completely renovated. It's in an area that has never flooded as long as humans have inhabited the region, which is damn rare find in Louisiana. And we closed on it in October with 2.7% @30 fixed.

TL:DR; building a house right now is damn frustrating. There are very few larger lot subdivisions appropriate for custom homes being developed in the region right now.

I’m a big fan of older houses. The one we’re buying has a double brick exterior with tongue and groove walls.

If you have the money why wouldn’t you build a house?

This is one of the dumber threads of the day

You are a contractors worst nightmare. You’re paying him to do it when you should’ve built it yourself since you know everything.

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If you have the money why wouldn’t you build a house? This is one of the dumber threads of the day

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Location, there are very few lots available in most desirable areas, and most people have a housing budget that will not handle the usually more expensive route of doing a tear down.

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and not some cookie cutter house that looks exactly like all the others around.

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Not all older houses are cookie cutter spec homes that look the same as every third or fourth house on the block. Especially older houses in historic parts of town.

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went smoothly and I ended up with exactly what I wanted. A 3400 sq ft walkout ranch orientated so I can watch the spring and fall sunset through the valley while drinking bourbon.

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Wyden?

Pics?

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Very little new construction looks as good as a home built 60+ years ago that’s been well maintained.

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For reference, a 1960's home

I built my house 4 years ago! No issues. I subbed out maybe 50% and did the other 50% myself. Built exactly what I wanted on my terms and had instant $70k equity in it.