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.
Survey respondents average a 15-20% tip. At restaurants, it varies. Some say tipping should be entirely an option, not a requirement. Others point out the importance of tipping as a source of income for those in service industries. A recent web survey shows that Americans most frequently tip 15%, followed by 20%. Only one in twenty tips 25% or more, and about one in eight people tip 10% or less.