Of course, of you buy a 5-10 year old house, you're likely to need to do some repairs/replacement during the 5-8 year holding period you're looking at anyway. - One advantage to buying a newer home is that you're more likely to get some on the in features already- granite countertops, open floor plans, etc.
If you are uncertain about how much to give, just to tip based on your bill. Generally, 10% - 15% of the bill is the most proper amount. For the tour guide and the driver, 10-70 RMB (1 - 10 US dollars) a day per person is adequate.
Tipping etiquette for independent guides follows basic service industry 10 to 20 percent guidelines. Less than 10 percent means you were dissatisfied and more than 10 percent means the outing exceeded your expectations.