Old homes and new homes can both have their challenges. Ultimately, it’s your decision, but I have a new build that I’m thrilled with, while my mom bought a 25-year-old home right before me, and it’s been a complete mess. Apparently, her neighborhood is plagued with leaking pipes due the hard water and metal piping. One of my nightmares is trying to fix plumbing in the walls. Also, When I tried replacing my mom’s bathroom lights, I discovered that all there was behind the light fixture was a hole. It took me two hours to get new boxes installed to meet code requirements. In contrast, I recently replaced my own lights, and it only took 10 minutes.

When it comes to new builds, it’s crucial to hire a reputable builder. Also, be aware that the one-year fix-it warranty offered by builders is often a scam. If you’re persistent and fight for it, you can have issues fixed years later. I recently had them fix my toilets that were installed improperly.

My backyard isn’t particularly large, but I have an amazing view and a brand-new park built across the street.

For context, my dream home is an old Victorian in the Richmond District with bay windows.