Many good reasons, they like the location, city, subdivision, have friends nearby, it's paid for and don't want to relocate.

Here there are large lots that are unobtainium in the existing development and the existing homes 40+ years old don't fit todays lifestyle, so down they come, and as other said in some cases you leave a little of the old house to keep it a remodel vs a new home.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by HRK:
Many good reasons, they like the location, city, subdivision, have friends nearby, it's paid for and don't want to relocate.

/QUOTE]

Yes, and more. I could start tearing this place down tomorrow. And as soon as it was down, start rebuilding the next day. No hoops ect. Just do it.
As far as the cost of rebuilding. Yes it would be more than doing extensive maintenance and repairs going forward. But that would be a long, continuing and painful process versus tear down and rebuild. And expensive. I do not see a half tear down and remodel. That would a total headache.
A place to stay during the project is very doable. Especially in the near term.

Again, I doubt this would happen. But it is an option and I appreciate the thoughts guys.

Is your existing house built on a slab, over a basement or on a foundation with crawl space?

You might consider the cost to dispose of the rubble from the tear-down. In my area the landfill charges are substantial.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Is your existing house built on a slab, over a basement or on a foundation with crawl space?

Foundation over a crawl space.

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
I'm scratching my head at the the thought of tearing down a house that (by OP) is in good enough shape'
Seems like a big waste of money, sell the existing house and start fresh.
Where you gonna live if you tear down the house and rebuild it?

Im with you. Unless the house is dilapidated, unlivable and has no value which isn't the case why tear it down and build a new house in its place? Makes more sense to me to sell the existing property and use the money to buy a plot of land and build a new home.

Foundation and crawl space certainly reduces your cost, especially considering utilities.

I wouldn't. Either remodel what you have, or build an entirely new house with new infrastructure.

Why? Because when you go to sell in 10-15 etc years, NOBODY will give any value to the new house because the now 40 year old plumbing and electrical will be a consideration. So either remodel what you have for less money, or build a brand new house.

Confusing I guess. But tearing down and building a new house is what this thread is about. Huh?

Where are you going to live while this hills happens for a most of a year ? And put all your stuff in storage ? Don’t forget those costs in your budget.

I used to work at a bank in a very high income town in the San Fran Bay Area. Lots of OLD pre WW2 homes on big lots still around. Very nice servicable homes in an amazing school district just not what upper income folks with growing families wanted 25 years ago. Anyway we’d finance a purchase or a cash out refinance and within days or weeks I’d drive by and that house would be mostly bulldozed. The local regulation stated as long as 1 wall was not torn down it was a remodel not new build so the finished stucco McMansion would be 95%+ new. Saved a fortune on tax assessment and even permit costs.

quote:

Originally posted by C L Wilkins:
One recommendation that I may have is to check with the local building inspector and/or codes. The laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

One example that I have seen is in Arlington, Mass.

"If" the basement is left and the existing house is demolished and the new structure is built over the basement, it is considered to be a remodel and not new construction.