menu
Home » Services » Investing in Real Estate » New or old, which one to choose?

New or old, which one to choose?

Deciding to invest in real estate often raises a dilemma between acquiring a new property or an old one. Each of these options has distinct advantages.

In the case of a new property, you benefit from solid guarantees such as the ten-year warranty and the guarantee of good completion (La Loi Breyne). Additionally, you can customize the finishes according to your taste, enjoy the latest technological advancements and contemporary design, and new buildings adhere to strict energy standards. However, investing in an existing property offers a diverse selection, less expensive taxation, a lower acquisition cost, and the possibility of generating almost immediate rental income.

Advantages of buying a new property:

  • Ten-year warranty

    By choosing a new property, you will benefit from a 10-year guarantee, jointly offered by the developer, architect, and contractor, covering any stability or waterproofing failures. Additionally, you will also have a minimum one-year warranty on various services (plumbing, heating, kitchen, appliances, etc.) starting from the provisional acceptance of your apartment.

  • Guarantee of good completion

    The Breyne Law requires the developer to provide a bank guarantee for good completion at the time of purchase, ensuring the completion of the property under the agreed financial conditions. In summary, you only pay for the completed work according to a pre-established schedule, and you have the certainty of receiving your apartment. At Trevi, we always ensure that these guarantees are meticulously respected before any sale.

  • Choice of finishes in line with current trends

    The property you choose will be finished according to your tastes, with the possibility of personalizing the parquet, tiling, kitchen, bathroom, etc., while benefiting from the latest technological advancements and contemporary design. It is true that a 20-year-old apartment often requires updates in amenities, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.

  • No major works to anticipate

    This aspect is often overlooked by investors: the obligation to maintain a property in good rental condition. By purchasing a 20 or 30-year-old apartment, you would generally be required to participate in the costs of roof replacement, refreshing common areas, bringing elevators into compliance, refurbishing terraces, changing boilers, etc. With a new property, you avoid all these hassles and expenses for 20 to 30 years, thanks to modern construction techniques. This is worth considering. Additionally, new buildings generally require lower charges and a smaller reserve fund.

  • Energy performance

    Few investors are aware of and measure the impact of energy standards imposed on developers by public authorities, which are becoming increasingly strict. Being a new property owner today guarantees that your property meets these stringent standards. A Passive PEB certificate (Building Energy Performance) means that your tenant will have lower energy costs, and you, as the owner, will avoid the necessary expenses to bring the building up to future standards that will be generalized for all properties. The PEB is a mandatory energy audit for any sale or rental in the three regions. It is evident that a tenant will be more attracted to a property that costs less to heat, for an equivalent area.

  • Acoustic insulation

    New buildings adhere to strict acoustic standards. Developers and architects employ acousticians to design structures with maximum sound insulation, using appropriate and efficient materials.

  • Spaces meeting current customer expectations

    Society evolves, and so does the way we live and inhabit. Architecture firms take these developments into account and design accommodations in line with the new expectations of customers. The composition and distribution of spaces, brightness, the number of bathrooms, terrace size, optimization of unnecessary areas, electric charging points in garages, are all parameters considered by space designers today.

Advantages of buying an existing property

  • Eclectic selection

    It is evident that the secondary market offers a wider choice, representing 90% of the real estate market.

  • Controlled space

    Investors appreciate the ability to visit and directly evaluate the property they wish to acquire, allowing them to understand its potential and attractiveness.

  • Less expensive taxation

    Although registration fees in Belgium remain high (10% to 12.5% depending on the region), they represent about half of the acquisition costs of a new property (VAT 21%).

  • Lower acquisition cost

    For a property located in the same place, with similar rental conditions and equivalent area, the price difference between new and old can be estimated between 10% and 20%.

  • Almost immediate rental return

    By purchasing an existing property, you can benefit from rental income immediately after the authentic deed of sale is signed. There is no delivery time or specific waiting period.

  • Evolvable property

    By acquiring an existing property, you have the possibility of making staggered renovations based on your availability and take advantage of grants, particularly in terms of energy efficiency.

  • Unique property

    The charm, location, and character make your apartment a unique property, difficult to compare with others.