by Christy Heitger-Ewing
There are many benefits to building a new home, putting you on a journey of fulfillment and joy as you watch your dream home come to life (instead of days spent looking at homes currently on the market that don’t meet your needs!). Here are the top ten reasons it’s smart to build new, brought to you by several of the area’s leading homebuilders:
1. EVERYTHING’S BRAND NEW!
The home is fresh, clean, and exactly what you want! New, never-been-used appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, air conditioning, windows, roofs, and flooring translates to fewer breakdowns and issues.
“You’ll be the first person to cook in your kitchen, use your shower or set the thermostat,” says Pete Gray, owner of Executive Homes. “That’s nice!”
2. A NEW HOUSE IS UNDER WARRANTY.
Builders offer warranties that cover much more than what you receive when you purchase an existing home (if a warranty is even included in your purchase!). For the first one of two years, most warranties cover any structural or system issue that may occur including flooring, roofing, siding, plumbing, electrical and more.
“That means less maintenance and expense,” says Jerrod Klein, VP of Sales & Marketing with Pyatt Builders.
Builders may offer longer warranties with their home purchases, which can cover further structural issues should they occur.
“It also means peace of mind,” says Tatum Hill, Principal with the Compendium Group.
3. NEW HOMES ARE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
Homes built today are subject to much stricter standards for energy efficiency than older homes. Thanks to these updated guidelines, insulation improvements, higher quality windows and doors, and updated appliance features, you can save up to 30 percent more on heating and cooling costs!
4. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR OWN FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
It’s next to impossible to find exactly what you want in an existing home and to make it your own takes planning, several renovation projects, and the right contractors. Customization varies depending on the builder, but each gives you the opportunity and final say on what is included in your home.
“You can select everything to suit your taste, picking the models and features you want when getting appliances, plumbing, and light fixtures,” says Gray. “You can get exactly what you want in cabinets, flooring, trim details, paint, and countertops, not what someone else wanted 15 years ago!”
It’s not just the interior finishes homeowners have the opportunity to select either.
“You can pick structural options like three car garages and covered porches, interior cabinets, and more,” says Klein.
5. YOU CAN DESIGN A HOME THAT SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE.
A lot has changed over the years. A home built in the 1970s may be structured and include elements that don’t make sense for today’s family, whereas building a new home provides you the opportunity to select or create a floorplan that aligns with today’s needs and your family’s lifestyle needs.
“You can put square footage in places that makes the most sense for your personal family dynamics,” says Hill.
6. IT MAY BE MORE AFFORDABLE.
Many believe that building a home is more expensive than purchasing. And while the cost upfront might be more, the financial investment pays off much more in the long-term. For example, when you build a home, there is no need for costly repairs, renovations, updates to appliances or systems, and more.
“Once a buyer evaluates what it would cost to bring an old house up to date, a new house could cost less,” says Gray. “And they don’t have to live through the remodeling process!”
Building a home can also offer incentives and opportunities for special financing.
Adds Nicole Scott, VP of Sales and Marketing with Lennar, “Most builders offer great rate promotions with their affiliated lender, so buying a new home gives you a better rate that equals a better monthly payment.”
7. YOU HAVE WIDER BUYING TIMEFRAME OPTIONS.
In today’s housing market, you have to act on an available listing right away and be on the seller’s timeline for purchasing and moving in. While building a home may take longer, it allows for greater flexibility on your schedule and needs.
“Building can work around current lease periods, credit repair timing, or down payment savings plans that wouldn’t work with existing/used home purchases,” says Klein.
Adds Gray, “Buyers have more control over the timing of their move and don’t have to react quickly when a used home that they like hits the market. That timing advantage can be helpful if they need to sell their existing home, too.”
8. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BLEND THE “OLD” WITH THE “NEW.”
Many of the older homes on the market are architecturally obsolete by today’s design standards.
Jeff Langston, Chairman of Old Town Design Group, notes that it is more difficult to integrate outdoor living designs with living spaces in existing homes. It’s also common for older homes to have 8-foot ceilings, which cannot be changed during renovation. In addition, the floor plans are usually not open concept and are often designed with unused rooms, like formal living and dining rooms.
“In new homes, you get the latest in appliances like convection ovens and induction cooktops,” says Langston. “You also get the latest door systems like multi-slider and pocket exterior doors. Plus, you’re already wired for outdoor motorized screens, etc.”
9. YOU HAVE A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP.
There is an emotional aspect to owning a home, but there is nothing like the feeling of knowing it is all yours, has never been anyone else’s and that the space was built just for you.
“Many buyers feel a greater sense of pride through their involvement in the home design and selections that they’ve made,” says Gray.
10. THERE’S NO HUGE “TO-DO” LIST WHEN MOVING INTO A NEW HOME.
When you build a home, it is truly “move-in ready” when you are handed the keys. No need to schedule for repairs, paint over the previous owner’s questionable kitchen color choice or swap out fixtures – everything has been done exactly how you want so you can move in and start enjoying your newly built home!
Are you ready to build a new home? When selecting a builder, be sure to ask if they are a BAGI member. As a member, they agree to provide their customer with the BAGI Quality Assurance Builder Standards that establish clear and concise expectations for quality construction and enjoyable building experience. Visit bagi.com to explore our builder members.
