初次买房者应遵循的4C法则（2）----CONDITION

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新建房固然有着很明显的优势，比如，房屋结构的设计更流畅合理，厨房浴室的装配更现代新颖，供暖空调等设备更环保节能。但是，仍然有许多人偏好那些有一些年头的“old charm”。这其中的原因固然是新建房一般价格比二手房贵，另一个重要原因可能是新建房的location多半没有旧房子的好，特别是在新州近纽约的都会区，因为开发早，现在已经没有地方用来成批的修建新社区。同时，新建房的地税一般比旧房的高。综合很多因素考虑，相信大部分人还是以买二手旧房为主。那么我们一般能接受“多旧”的房屋呢？也就是说，什么样的condition我们在买房的时候可以考虑接受，什么样的condition我们应该避免？总的原则是：避免结构性的维修。

这里转载Money magazine一篇关于condition的一些比较，可作参考。

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	Outdated kitchen Revamping a kitchen can return 75% to 100% of your investment on resale.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.