What Is The Best Decade To Buy From? (wood floors, houses)

[EngGirl]

I am on the edge here... I wouldn't consider anything from 2000-2010 for sure because I know how everyone was building during that time frame. I am not a big fan of old homes either - low ceilings and small windows don' attract me much. I think the safest bet would be 1980-1995 house assuming it's in good shape and you are ready to spend $$ on it.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

I am on the edge here... I wouldn't consider anything from 2000-2010 for sure because I know how everyone was building during that time frame. I am not a big fan of old homes either - low ceilings and small windows don' attract me much. I think the safest bet would be 1980-1995 house assuming it's in good shape and you are ready to spend $$ on it.

I am married to an architect - most of those homes built in the 1980s I wouldn't have if you gave it to me. I have been in MANY that were almost shockingly shoddily built......

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

I am on the edge here... I wouldn't consider anything from 2000-2010 for sure because I know how everyone was building during that time frame. I am not a big fan of old homes either - low ceilings and small windows don' attract me much. I think the safest bet would be 1980-1995 house assuming it's in good shape and you are ready to spend $$ on it.

I know my 2009 home is more energy efficient than anything built over the last several decades. My energy bill rarely goes over $100, even during the hottest part of the year. I attribute this to the insulation, windows, tile roof - you get what you pay for. A $100k house in a cookie cutter neighborhood isn't the same as homes from higher rent districts. Making blanket statements over the quality of all homes doesn't make much sense. Doesn't it depend on builder, price of the home, etc etc?

[mrviking]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I am married to an architect - most of those homes built in the 1980s I wouldn't have if you gave it to me. I have been in MANY that were almost shockingly shoddily built......

By now most of the major problems would have been exposed. Even if the house was built well, the lack of maintenance by most homeowners will be obvious at this stage as well. If you walk into a house of 25+ yrs and see mostly original builder grade stuff and a front yard with all original landscaping and dirt/weeds where grass use to be. Chances are they did nothing to maintain their home. That would be a red flag in my book. I have seen homes 30+ yrs with the remains of the builder grade paint still showing.

[CapnTrips]

We do not live in FL, but are expecting to move to the Sarasota area in about a year. We are in an ongoing debate that matches the topic of this thread.

The older homes may be more solidly built, in general (tho the quality and price of the newer home is certainly a factor) and the architectural style, larger lot, and mature vegetation of an older home may be more attractive than that of a newer tract home; but I am concerned that older homes in Florida are more likely to have suffered mold or termite damage, and am not so sure that these things are obvious to a buyer.

Also, while I think that hurricane threats in the area are probably overstated by non-Floridians, I'd still be concerned about how an older roof is attached. Just because it hasn't been blown off yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen in the future.

[froglipz]

2015 new construction building is stronger by complying with new hurricane building code. Energy efficiency requirements, along with better more thorough construction inspection, all lead to fact that new houses being built right now are the best.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by froglipz

2015 new construction building is stronger by complying with new hurricane building code. Energy efficiency requirements, along with better more thorough construction inspection, all lead to fact that new houses being built right now are the best.

hey, somebody who agrees with me on CDF!

[stpeteguy]

All it would take is one medium to large hurricane to see which types of homes withstand the storm the best.

I personally think that it would be very obvious that modern construction homes, built to modern codes would fare the best.

The reason building codes are updated and changed is for safety. To think a 1940's home would fare better than a 2015 home is ludicrous. They may have better quality components, but the "key" is how those components are assembled.

A prime example would be roof trusses. Back in the old days, all those were hand made, on site. Nothing wrong with that, but they didn't have the modern metal hangers that simply hold everything together better than the old hammer and nails method. Its not a slam on anybodies workmanship, it's just that they have better stuff nowadays. Simple as that.

[floridarebel]

I reckon anytime prior to the 1950s were best quality wise. There was a saying in the fifties about how all of the houses during the time were made out of ticky tacky (meaning cheap and low quality). Housing past WWII were usually built pretty quickly in response to the suburbanization.

On the other hand, I would think that homes built past 2005 are better in terms of energy efficiency, different inspection guidelines and hurricane durability. Not to mention they're newer. However I do know that there was a problem with homes built during the housing boom having Chinese drywall, but this seemed to be secluded to cookie cutter subdivisions.

Style wise, housing from the Victorian era to the 1960s were the best looking and then from the mid 2000s and on.

[mrviking]

All your modern day homes on paper are far superior that goes with out saying. Problem we have is the lack of tradesmen. Prior to 1995 the men building the houses were old local boys and during the winter local transplants filling in as well. Once the housing boom started builders picked up anyone that would "say" they could do the job. As the illegals flooded the construction sites quantity was more important then quality. Manufactures can create great products but most have no control over the installation of said products. If not installed properly they will fail over time. Its like buying a nice Kobe steak and burning it on the grill. It always come down to the subs who build your house and the supervisors on the job site inspecting it along the way. You can have two exact houses being built side by side, two different crews doing the work. Over time one of the houses may experience problems that the other house does not. I saw that happen way too often.