The more expensive house: Vinyl or Brick?

by YoursChelbie 19 Replies latest jw friends

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  YoursChelbie

  There is a significant difference in the prices of houses that are built of brick exterior to comparably sized ones with vinyl exterior.

  I assumed brick costs more because it's more durable, but was surprised to find that brick houses such as the one I chose at random pictured here for sale in Texas actually costs over 50K dollars LESS than the one with the vinyl exterior in the far northern US. Both have four bedrooms. Anybody can explain why the big difference in prices?

  

  Denton, Texas $150,000
  All Brick Exterior

  http://www.livingchoices.com

  

  Rochester, MN $207,900
  Mostly Vinyl Siding

  http://www.livingchoices.com
• 

  Scully

  Mr Scully says that a lot of the homes in the southern US are built with a slab-on-grade foundation, meaning that there is no cellar/basement, while homes in the northern US usually have a basement.

  That would definitely account a $50K price difference, regardless of the exterior finish.

  Plus the southern structures may have termite issues with properties that northern climate structures do not have.
• 

  serendipity

  Lower labor costs. I think much of the labor in Texas is done by illegal immigrants who work more cheaply.
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  Abandoned

  It could be location too. Rochester, Minn has a bit higher cost of living than the rest of Minn due to the Mayo Clinic.
• 

  garybuss

  The three car garage might add a couple bucks to the northern house + full finished heated basement with spa.
  
  
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  YoursChelbie

  I was considering the cost of replacing the vinylof the northern house.

  Would not the long winters, wind and snow cause the vinyl to be subject to damage? Whereas if a house is built of brick it can withstand extreme temperatures. It seems like the brick would be the better long-term, less maintenance investment.

  YC
• 

  Abandoned

  Would not the long winters, wind and snow cause the vinyl to be subject to damage?

  Pretty strong stuff. My dad put vinyl on the house I grew up in around '68 or so and it still looks great.
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  garybuss

  If it'd had real siding on it, it'd a been 400k.
  
  
• 

  becca1

  Market value (what a house can be sold for in a particular area, based on other homes sold in the last 6 mos.), is the determaning factor. You cannot compare these two homes being in two different states.
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  Elsewhere

  Most people who live in Denton and can afford a $150k house are commuting to Dallas or Plano.... and that is one hell of a commute.

  That extra $50k is paid in fcked up nerves, gas and worn out cars.