Why Build New?
There are plenty of reasons to buy a new home over a used home.
Builder Warranty
Equipment Warranties
Better Building Standards
Lower Energy Bills
Potential Appreciation
Less Maintenance
Newer Neighborhoods
Customized Home
The movie "The Money Pit" satirizes the process of getting a "good deal" on an older home. It serves to remind the wary home buyer of the pitfalls of buying a used home and the thinking that somehow construction deficiencies can be overcome with "a little elbow grease.
Mature landscaping can be inviting, but keep in mind that it can also obscure problems. Older homes were generally not built to today's energy standards. Equipment and materials may no longer be considered adequate by today's home builders or the city. Consider these facts before bying an older home that needs to have all the windows replaced. Those upgrades and maintenance can be costly and require contracted help.
| NEW VS USED |
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| Floor coverings
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Engineered today to a higher Standard than ever before
| Older floor coverings can be worn and need replacement |
| Windows
| Windows today meet much Stricter energy requirements
| Mostly don't meet minimal energy standards, many are drafty- greatest source of heat loss from the home |
| Builder Warranty
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Builder warranties the home for a year from date of purchase with written warranty provided at closing
| Seldom will a seller warranty his/her home they're selling |
| Other Warranties
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A host of equipment warranties are provided when you buy new
| Tired, old equipment you get in a used home are worn and generally have no warranty |
| New Neighborhood
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A new, fresh appearance is offered yourself and your neighbors
| Older neighborhoods may or may not have held up and have been maintained |
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Low Maintenance
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Materials used both on the exterior and interior offer many low maintenance benefits
| For the most part, when older homes were built, features we take for granted weren't there |
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Customized Home
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With new homes, particularly when bought as a pre-sale, but also if you buy during construction, you can personalize the home.
| When you buy a used home, you pretty much get what you see. The seller has limited ability to make changes.
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