A freind of mine asked if I thought they should buy a new home or a home that is a few years old. My opinion should be obvious since my wife and I just bought a home built in 1968.

If you are talking strictly from a financial investment.... Lets say you are looking at a brand new house and a house that is ten years old, and you will keep either house ten years then the "new" house will be 10 years old and the "old" house will be 20 years old. Those houses are pretty similar in age as far as resale is considered. If you paid a premium for the "new" house then you lost that premium. I feel like an established neighborhood that shows pride in ownership and character is worth a great deal to me. If instead you are talking about your personal enjoyment and you really want to pick your cabinets, carpet, paint, and everything, then the cost of the premium is paid back in that enjoyment. Everything should be up to the current building codes in a new home but I would suggest that even on a new built home you would want a professional inspection that you choose and hire so you can be assured that it is built correctly. I guess the process of taking it from being a builders home into making it yours and the cost and time of that might be something you like. It is really a choice that is different for each person. When you walk thru some homes for sale it will become clear to you which you prefer, and there is no wrong answer. Thank Goodness we sell both new and established homes.