Dilemma: New vs Old Construction

When purchasing an apartment, people tend to consider its location, structure, floor position, view from the apartment, proximity to educational and health institutions, and whether there is parking and building maintenance.

When all these apartment characteristics fulfill expectations and personal financials do not represent an obstacle, there is still an eternal dilemma: whether to purchase a property within a newly built building, or old construction?

It is not easy to solve such dilemma, as both new and old construction have its advantages, therefore it is recommended to consult with real estate agencies.

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New Construction

New apartments have many advantages, and the most important advantage is exactly that – it is a new apartment in a new building, with all new installations and built-in materials, and more often investors give a guarantee to clients for the work and equipment.

Newly built apartments don’t need renovation, and thanks to building regulations and the materials used, today’s residential buildings are more energy efficient, which results in lower maintenance costs and monthly overhead costs.

Besides this, apartments are adapted to today’s lifestyle. Modern interior design implies open space, less hallways, while a kitchen, dining and living rooms are basically one whole, thus the space is used with more functionality.

New construction in urban areas today has solved the issue of parking, mostly in the form of an underground garage, meanwhile larger residential complexes contain a variety of amenities available for residents.

Safety which newly built buildings provide represents one of the top priorities for a majority of investors. New buildings have modern methods of monitoring the building through video intercoms, card access to the entrance and garage, video surveillance. Professional security is increasingly present in the building 24/7, which increases the safety and sense of security for you and your household.

Concrete is predominantly used in new construction nowadays, thus it is believed that this “cold” material cannot replace the former brick buildings. However, new buildings are built according to the latest standards and have extremely high-quality thermal, hydro and sound insulation.

For the construction of modern, new residential buildings, better quality materials are used, and at the same time, new technology and a new way of construction of living space are used. Mainly, during the construction of new buildings, the needs of a modern lifestyle are also met.

Old Construction

The main advantage of old construction is the price, which is usually lower compared to new construction. The period in which the building is being built and the interior design of the apartment will make the property more affordable, while the location and additional renovation work could make the price higher.

The condition of the apartment also affects the price. Many apartments in older buildings are being renovated to make them more attractive to the market. If you are interested in such an apartment, it is recommended that you inform yourself in detail about works and adaptations.

However, it is important not to overlook that additional adaptations to the old apartment require larger investments. In addition to money, it also takes time to find quality contractors who will carry out the renovation within the stipulated time.

Another advantage is that the apartment is ready, available and ready for immediate occupancy, there are no worries about completing the construction of the building, and in most cases it has valid ownership documentation.

Older apartments have a traditional room layout where each room is separated from the other by walls. There may also be some kind of storage room, a larger hallway, often the ceilings are higher, so the apartment may seem larger compared to an apartment of the same square footage in a new building. In addition, older buildings usually have basements, which is not often the case with newly constructed buildings.

Many properties built in the previous period were built according to the plan, which means that the buildings are far enough from traffic roads, there are parking spaces for tenants, parks, green areas. Older properties are built from high quality durable and natural materials and often have high arches and thick walls.

Previously, construction workers used materials such as steel, wood, brick and concrete, which were considered to be their main advantage. However, due to the date of construction, it is recommended to check what materials were used in the construction, as well as the condition of the installations and carpentry in the apartment.

Adaptation according to wishes and capabilities!

When buying real estate, people are trying to adjust their wants and desires according to their budget. However, what happens when a certain structure of the apartment needs a little correction? Is that possible?

One of the most important advantages of buying a building in a building under construction is the ability to influence the layout of the rooms and participate in modification works and adapt the apartment to your needs.

If the layout of the interior is not exactly what the buyer expected, or wishes to rearrange the space in their home, these changes are possible and easier to implement while the residential complex is under construction.

In the case of apartments with an older construction date, it is generally possible to move, demolish or raise partition walls in order for the residents to adapt the layout of the rooms to their wishes and requirements. However, it is recommended to consult a professional who will review the project and provide proof in the form of a static calculation so that the wishes can be brought into reality, and only then proceed with the adaptation of the apartment. Every adjustment costs money, so the renovation of an old apartment implies certain investments.

How to come up with the final decision?

The final decision when solving the housing issue is mostly influenced by personal wishes and possibilities. While some buyers love the charm of older apartments, other clients are more attracted to the smell of a new home, open space and modern design. Considering the importance of the decision to enter the process of buying an apartment, it would still be good to consult real estate experts.Are you aware of the fact that an apartment purchase is one of the most important life decisions? Because of that, it is important to take into consideration all aspects before making the final decision. When purchasing an apartment, people tend to consider its location, structure, floor position, view from the apartment, proximity to educational and health institutions, and whether there is parking and building maintenance.

When all these apartment characteristics fulfill expectations and personal financials do not represent an obstacle, there is still an eternal dilemma: whether to purchase a property within a newly built building, or old construction?

It is not easy to solve such dilemma, as both new and old construction have its advantages, therefore it is recommended to consult with real estate agencies.