[quote=AK]Have we really given up on building things to last? Or are we so addicted to redecorating and remodeling that there’s no point to it?[/quote]
Yes. I watch the shows on HGTV and see people reject, outright, homes that are good, structurally sound, etc because they don’t have granite counter tops or stainless appliances… Not stopping to think that if that were really a priority they could get those feature in a better, non-updated, house for much less $ after the sale.
I live in the house I grew up in… bought it from my dad when he was looking to downsize. We’re updating things slowly – but will NOT be replacing the kitchen cabinets since they were made with dimensioned lumber and are of much higher quality than the particle board crap they push now. We’ll be sanding and painting the old ones. The solid ones.
That said – our older house did not (past tense) meet current seismic code… so my husband spent some time, room by room, opening up walls, adding diagonal bracing and foundation bolts, replacing sheetrock with plywood to get better sheer walls. And our older house has needed a LOT of work to bring electrical up to current standards of readily available 3 prong outlets every 6-8 feet.
But overall – I agree that houses were built a little sturdier in the past. But most buyers want the new shiny version and don’t care.
