In my neighborhood, I’ve recently watched at least five run-down, but decent homes be torn down and replaced with large new houses that dwarf the small Craftsman homes that surround them. And I’m certainly not alone: This “teardown” phenomenon is increasing across the country.
Wherever you stand on this contentious issue, there are specific reasons why it’s becoming more popular to tear down and rebuild than to buy an already built home. As Real Estate Guide contributor Cher Wyskielof Teardowns.com noted in her article, The Teardown Page, there are two main reasons for this phenomenon:
1. The desire to live in well-established communities is increasing.In coveted communities, homes for sale and vacant lots can be hard to come by. With more people clamoring to move to these communities, and looking for newer and larger homes, more of them are turning to teardowns.
2. Many older houses do not meet today’s standards for the modern home. Fueled by demand from homeowners, the size of the average newly built home has increased 53% since 1970. These new, bigger homes also have different amenities than the homes of old: great rooms, spa bathrooms, multi-car garages.
Yes, but are teardowns good for the community? Well, this is up for debate. The articleargues that teardowns are good: They frequently breathe new life into old neighborhoods and discourage suburban sprawl. But shouldn’t these old homes be preserved? In her own words, Cher says, “Local government, residents and other non-profit organizations are working closely together to ensure that truly historic homes are preserved and maintained and that zoning regulations guarantee the scale compatibility of new construction to the existing historic neighborhood.”
Yet skeptics, such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, say that teardowns decrease livability and destroy the historic character of old neighborhoods.
It’s an argument that can be fought from both sides with passion. It just all depends which side you’re on.
Reprinted with permission from Zillow.com
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