Ah, that age-old debate. Should you buy a sparkling new pad or a characterful period property? There’s no real right answer, but it's vital that you consider the positives and negatives of both before investing time and money in a dream dwelling.

To help make that all-important decision just a little bit easier, we’ve brought together the pros and cons of period properties and new builds so you can find the right fit for you.

You know what you’re getting with a new build. There's unlikely to be any costly drainage problems or dodgy roofing issues that you'll only discover two months down the road. Plus, with all new build homes in the UK you know get a reassuring 10-year guarantee, for ultimate peace of mind.

READ MORE: New build homes checklist: 6 essential things to do before you buy 

Arguably the very best thing about buying a home that was built a good few years ago is the fact that it’s completely unique. You won't see another repeat of those tired floorplans we’ve seen in every new build for the last 10 years.

Thanks to stricter building regulations, homes built in more recent years tend to use far less energy than homes that date back to the early 1980s. Higher levels of insulation will result in lower heating bills and domestic water is kept to a minimum thanks to the installation of showers and dual flush toilets. Sound insulation is consequently much better too, so you won’t have to listen to your neighbours binge-watching Netflix at strange hours.

Existing homes tend to offer significantly more space, with large bedrooms, big reception rooms and plenty of storage. If it’s square footage you’re after, then an older property should be high on your house hunt list.

Not only do they use less water, but new homes also require far less energy to run than older properties. However, while day-to-day emission footprints may be lower, it's worth noting that constructing a new build generates plenty of carbon dioxide...

If green space outside is important to you too, then a period home could tick the right boxes. As a general rule, older homes tend to have larger gardens in comparison to the ever-shrinking backyards of new builds.

Often fitted with all-singing, all-dancing gadgets, these low-maintenance new builds can streamline modern living. Think underfloor heating, USB plug sockets, electric blinds, video entry systems and smart home technology. The list is exhaustive...

READ MORE: 8 renovations that will add money to your home and 8 that will cost you

The beauty of going classic is that it doesn’t go out of style. While renovations and modernisations may be necessary, this is a home that isn’t reliant on the latest trends – the elegance of a heritage home will always outlast fads.

If you’re buying your new build off-plan, then chances are you can add your own input. For buyers who purchase a home early on in the building process, there are all sorts of personalisation options, from flooring to colour schemes, kitchen specifications and other interior finishes. New developments often have a fixed price with less opportunity to haggle, so try and negotiate better specifications to sweeten the deal instead.

What you see with an older home, isn’t necessarily what you have to settle for. Unlike their newer counterparts, there’s a ton of potential to make your home your own when you buy old. Whether you add a side return extension to your kitchen, transform the loft into an extra bedroom or knock down an internal wall to create an open-plan living space, you have the opportunity to tailor your home to your lifestyle, and add value while you’re at it!

This is the bit that usually defines the two camps of home hunters. Some buyers relish a home with history that has plenty of stories to tell, while others rest easy knowing that they're the only people to have ever lived in their property and can really put their stamp on the space.

Unlike the blank page of a new build, an older residence often has a fascinating story to tell. It's likely been a home for many years and you'll find signs of its past imbued in the fabric of the building. For many, it's the key to that hard-to-quantify homely feeling. A house with history and character is hard to compete with.

Moving into a brand new home is usually fairly fuss-free. The plastering should be perfect, the kitchen brand new – no mould or chipped paint to deal with here. There are no catastrophic decorating disasters from previous owners that you’ve got to rectify and no failed DIY jobs to repeat. That ‘show home’ feel allows you to enjoy your new pad straight away, rather than reaching for the paint brush.

Ceiling roses, original fireplaces, wooden flooring, skirting boards, dado rails, cornicing – you name it, we love it. Those charming period features are part of the history of a home and they just can’t be replicated in modern homes.

READ MORE: Homes for sale with an amazing history

These days, safety regulations are top priority for builders. Modern new builds use the latest fire-resistant technology and materials, windows double up as escape routes, and electrical safety and ventilation are given proper thought. This can also bring down your buildings and contents insurance costs, something we’re always glad to hear!

When you buy an older home, you know that it’s survived the test of time. It’s a sturdy property that has weathered the years and it’s still standing, and that’s a pretty reassuring investment to make!

With the latest security locks, window fastenings and intercom systems, plus burglar alarms fitted as standard in many new homes, it’s much harder to break into these properties. So if you're after peace of mind, perhaps something more modern is the right route for you.

New build developments often all go up in one go, so you don’t get that same sense of an established community. When you buy an older home, it's likely to come with a pre-existing neighbourhood of locals who know each other and care about the area.

As much as you might want a beautiful period home, they aren’t always built to accommodate mobility issues. Steep staircases, old-fashioned showers and potentially drafty accommodation often make older properties far from ideal. A more compact, well-insulated home that’s built to new accessibility standards could offer easier day-to-day living.

Typically, period homes enjoy the best locations as they’ve had first pickings if you will. Often built near to towns, train stations or local amenities, they have secured the most sought-after spots that modern developments would have to pay a pretty penny for.

READ MORE: The UK's cheapest and most expensive places to buy a home

There was never going to be a clear-cut winner in the new house vs old house debate, was there? There are clear pros and cons to both. For most, it's a case of personal preference as much as practicality and provided that you get an in-depth survey before you buy, there's not much that can go too wrong.