I absolutely hate old houses; the so-called classic historical legacy and the taste of time are nothing but nonsensical scams. The most comfortable houses to live in are always those with modern design, modern technology, and brand new furniture and appliances. Whether buying or renting, unless absolutely necessary, I would avoid all houses older than 10 years like the plague. It would definitely save a lot of hassle and provide peace of mind. I'm talking about foreign properties with land; apartments vary too much from country to country to comment on.