Like fine wine
For obvious reasons, houses are not like fine wine. They don’t necessarily get better with age. Unless the house you plan on buying has historical value, think long and hard before buying an old house.
Old houses may have that flair and grandeur of better, classier times. If that’s the kind of house you’ve always wanted, then by all means, look into it. But be warned that older houses have a lot of surprises.
This is where dialogue with the agent and seller comes in handy. Find out if buying an old house means having to update the wiring, plumbing, or air filters. This will give you time to organize your finances. Find out if the house is prone to flooding. Check if the wood has ants or termites. If you overlook these things, the house might cost more than you initially expected to shell out.
A good assessment of the house’s value might give you insight if building a new one would be cheaper and a better investment in the long run.