“Is it worth buying an older property?” As a prospective homebuyer, this thought likely came to your mind. But here’s a surprising truth: property age should be the least of your worries. Why? Because
- They reset themselves in a 4-6 years cycle of routine overhaul
- And rate of appreciation only increases with age and development of the neighborhood
Properties typically undergo a reset every 5 to 6 years, becoming almost new after major renovations and a fresh coat of paint, a process that often makes older buildings more stable and appealing than their newer one-to-four-year-old counterparts. For example, a four-year-old property may appear older than a five-year-old one, as the latter has likely just completed its first renovation cycle.
This renovation cycle means a well-maintained older property can offer superior livability compared to brand new ones.
Additionally, older buildings are mostly located in mature neighborhoods with limited land availability, where new projects rarely surface. This land scarcity leads to faster property value appreciation compared to newer developments in emerging areas.
So, let’s look at the following two scenarios:
Six Year Old Building vs. Brand-New : Six Year Old Wins
In real estate, newer doesn’t always mean better. While a property’s age might influence its appearance, it doesn’t necessarily reflect its true value or livability.
Take a one-year-old property, for instance. While it may appear appealing at first glance, it can develop unexpected issues like cracks, electrical failures, or plumbing problems within the first two to three years. These hidden flaws only reveal themselves over time, potentially leading to expensive repairs.
In contrast, a 6-year-old property has typically overcome these early challenges and looks just as appealing as one-year-old, as by this point, it has usually undergone its first major renovation, scheduled every 5–6 years using the society’s maintenance fund. These upgrades include fresh paint, modern fixtures, and enhanced amenities that give the property a refined, updated feel.
For these reasons, a well-maintained 6-year-old building often offers more reliability and value than a brand-new one that hasn’t had time to settle and mature.
Additionally, as properties age, the surrounding area experiences rapid growth and development, leading to an increase in essential amenities in close proximity. A six-year-old property is therefore likely to be located in a more developed and established neighborhood compared to a brand-new property. This mature environment allows a six-year-old property to appreciate faster than a one-year-old, making it a more attractive and suitable option for investment.
21 Year Old Property vs. 4 Year Old : Again, 21 Year Old Wins
The benefits of buying an older property don’t stop at six years. As properties age, they often go through multiple facelifting cycles, which means even homes that are 21 years old can feel more modern and stable than newer ones.
Just like a 6-year-old home, a 21-year-old property will have gone through several rounds of renovations. These cycles actively address and solve issues like cracks, leakages, and electric faults. By contrast, a 4-year-old property will be struggling with wear and tear problems, with its first major renovation yet to come.
A 21-year-old property is typically located in a fully developed neighborhood with essential amenities like schools, markets, and healthcare facilities close by. The scarcity of land for new construction in such areas further drives up demand. In contrast, a 4-year-old property is often located in a more remote area, and it may take years for that area to develop and match the same value. Therefore, it’s better to focus on key aspects rather than the age of the property.
What really matters: the three crucial aspects
These scenarios clearly show that worrying about a property’s age isn’t as important as many think. Your primary focus should be on the fundamental aspects that genuinely matter:
- Floor Plan (Size and Design)
- Price
- Location
These critical factors will not only shape your immediate living experience but also play a pivotal role in determining the property’s future value. By prioritizing these elements, you’re more likely to find a home that not only meets your current needs but also stands as a sound long-term investment.
Among these, the floor plan is the most important factor as it shapes your daily life 24/7 and helps your home to get better resale value in future.
Settlin: Streamlining Your Path to the Perfect Property
Settlin understands that the perfect home is a delicate balance of three key aspects: floor plan, price, and location. While we start from these basics, we offer you the entire availability in the best order, based upon preferences decided by you. How Settlin does that, check below:
- Settlin streamlines your property search by offering a comprehensive database of serious sellers, ensuring 100% availability and decision-ready profiles.
- Our exclusive listings are competitively priced, giving you access to the best properties in Bangalore’s competitive market.
- We manage property visits with precision, recording your feedback to refine future recommendations and make each viewing a positive experience.
- Settlin’s customer-friendly portal helps you do an apple-to-apple comparison among the ideal properties that match your specific requirements.
- When you find a property you love, Settlin facilitates a smooth transaction process. Best of all, we provide this end-to-end service at zero brokerage cost, making your journey to homeownership in Bangalore both efficient and economical.