The big question: Build a new house or buy a fixer-upper?

Mike and Allison Nys of Billings didnt think too hard when deciding whether to build a house or join the remodeling fraternity.

They chose to buy and move into an historic home believed to be the only residence in Laurel listed on the National Register of Historic Places and then spend a year or more on a six-figure renovation.

We fell in love with the history of the house, said Mike Nys. Its going to be apriceylittle deal, but on the other hand, if you go with new construction, youll spend $250,000 to $300,000 for not that much house.

A 1905 kitchen was really just some furniture, he said, and the room wasprobablylast remodeled in the 1950s.

A modern floor plan required more space, so the Nys decided to add 500 square feet to the back of the house, while preserving the homes historic character and value.

After three months of demonstrating to the Laurel City Council that upgrading the home would be good for the older neighborhood, the couple won unanimous approval to get a variance for their addition.

We explained that we want to be in the town for the long term and want this property to be something people are proud of, he said.

For the past decade, the Nyses and their son, who will be an eighth-grader, lived in a 2,500-square-foot house on acreage in Lockwood, the first occupants of a house built by Kenmark Construction. But when Allison was hired as principal at Graff Elementary in Laurel, they decided to move.

The lure of remodeling was based on the familys lifestyle, even when historically low interest rates made new construction attractive.

I wanted to live close to work, live close to school for all the events and walk to a football game, said Allison Nys. I love sports.

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The big question: Build a new house or buy a fixer-upper?