The idea was basically 'I would rather upgrade a well-built 1900 house than try to fix a poorly built, possibly structurally flawed modern one'.

I am not sure it would be easier, but my genereal experiece is telling me the outcome is usually better.

I think the new 'buy to let' phenomenom makes it possible to sell shoddy construction as premium houses to investors based in tax heavens becuase it looks shiny and htey don't give two shits.