初次買房者應遵循的4C法則（2）----CONDITION

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新建房固然有著很明顯的優勢，比如，房屋結構的設計更流暢合理，廚房浴室的裝配更現代新穎，供暖空調等設備更環保節能。但是，仍然有許多人偏好那些有一些年頭的“old charm”。這其中的原因固然是新建房一般價格比二手房貴，另一個重要原因可能是新建房的location多半沒有舊房子的好，特別是在新州近紐約的都會區，因為開發早，現在已經沒有地方用來成批的修建新社區。同時，新建房的地稅一般比舊房的高。綜合很多因素考慮，相信大部分人還是以買二手舊房為主。那麽我們一般能接受“多舊”的房屋呢？也就是說，什麽樣的condition我們在買房的時候可以考慮接受，什麽樣的condition我們應該避免？總的原則是：避免結構性的維修。

這裏轉載Money magazine一篇關於condition的一些比較，可作參考。

RED LIGHT These problems can be incredible costly. Run away.	YELLOW LIGHT These issues may be fixable. Consult a pro to determine.	GREEN LIGHT Fixing these problems will return at least some of your investment.
Major cracks in the foundation To fix major foundation cracks, the house often needs to be propped up.	Leaking or sagging roof Ask the roofer if you can plop on a new one (cheaper) or if you must strip the old (more costly).	Too few bathrooms A half bath could run $15,000 but it      can increase the home's value by 12%.
Sagging stairs One loose tread is okay, but if the entire staircase bows, you may have foundation problems. It's a big job - see above.	A 20-year old boiler A more modern system (which you will likely have to install within a few years), will cost thousands.	Outdated kitchen Revamping a kitchen can return 75% to 100% of your investment on resale.
Leaks or water damage A long-term leak can rot your carpet and your walls, cause mold and require extensive repairs.	Mature trees within 15 feet Roots can grow into pipes causing leaks or sewage backups.	Too-small rooms Adding an archway or moving a non-load bearing wall can open the layout at a cost of around $7,000.
Termites Mud tubes and hollow wood are signs of a serious infestation, particularly worrisome if the house has a wood frame.	High radon levels To mitigate this lung cancer risk, you must install a ventilation system.	Cracked, drafty or warped windows New, energy-efficient windows cost as little as $200 each and can make a big difference in appearance and heating bills.