{"id":7148,"date":"2022-03-16T13:58:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T13:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guidanceresidential.com\/resources\/?p=7148"},"modified":"2022-03-22T18:25:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T18:25:34","slug":"pros-and-cons-of-buying-a-new-construction-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guidanceresidential.com\/resources\/home-buying\/pros-and-cons-of-buying-a-new-construction-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Pros and Cons of Buying a New Construction Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are several routes you can take on the homebuying journey. With rising home prices<\/a>, maybe you\u2019re considering alternatives and have thought about going the new construction route. Though lengthy and requiring a different knowledge set from purchasing a pre-existing home, this route may be for you if you like the idea of starting completely fresh.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we\u2019ll list the pros and cons to get you considering if a new construction home is right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does New Construction Mean? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

New construction means new homes, buildings, and structures without prior inhabitants or occupants. These newly constructed homes are typically made with all the latest technologies, materials, and built with modern conveniences in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, we\u2019ll refer to old homes as homes that have been lived in. And historic homes, on the far end of the spectrum, are sometimes registered with the National Register of Historic Places<\/a> as part of an area\u2019s efforts to preserve history. These homes tend to have ties with historical people or events.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a first-time homebuyer, check out our guide: <\/em><\/strong>First Time Homebuyer\u2019s Guide<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying a New Construction Home: Pros and Cons <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Asking yourself whether buying a new construction home is for you is more than deciding whether you want to stay in an uninhabited home versus one that was lived in before.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to think about which part of the new construction process you want to be in. Some developers will offer you the plot of land and you\u2019ll work with them to pick materials. Or you can pick a home that has just been built. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whichever one you choose, here are some pros and cons of new construction homes.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros of New Construction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brand New  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

From the walls, roof, and flooring to all appliances, this is a brand-new home. You will be the first-ever occupant. Enjoy the newness of your home and its surroundings. Oftentimes, a new construction home will be around many new shops, community centers, and gyms in anticipation of new families moving to the area.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Move-In Ready  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While an old home may also be move-in ready, you may have to make small updates here and there to bring the home up to your standard. However, with new construction, the home is move-in ready since it\u2019s new and doesn\u2019t require updates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Less Maintenance <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After your home is newly constructed, you won\u2019t need to repair anything like you may need to if you moved into an old home. But this doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t need to maintain it. It\u2019s just that there won\u2019t be a need to fix things immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warranty  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As with purchasing new products, like electronics, new construction will often come with a warranty. You can purchase with a little more assurance that if something doesn\u2019t work, ask the developer to get it fixed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Efficient  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration<\/a> found that even though the majority of new homes in the United States are 30% larger than old ones, they tend to consume only 2% more energy. That means technology has allowed homes to be more energy-efficient with better insulation and energy-efficient air conditioning. And your utility bill could be lower per month.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customized <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you signed a contract with the developer when all you had was just a plot of land, you are able to customize the home just as you like it. That may include customizing the floor plan and choosing all of the material used in the interior and exterior of the home. You make everything fit according to your style.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons of New Construction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Costly <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to thinking about old vs. new home costs<\/a>, new construction can cost more than the average old home. However, with new construction, you\u2019re likely receiving the newest of everything\u2014appliances, materials, and design. You\u2019re also paying for labor, which can go up yearly. Additionally, customizing a lot of the aspects of the home can incur additional costs, which can add up.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Because older homes are already surrounding a city center, the location of newer construction homes is typically further away from the centers. But that doesn\u2019t mean that area won\u2019t eventually become a center as more new construction continues to be built.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Less Room for Negotiation  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Part of the homebuying process is negotiating a price with the seller. In this case, you may have less negotiating power when dealing with a developer or builder and usually won\u2019t be able to negotiate at all. A builder’s base price is usually set as is and they want to stay firm to make sure the comps of the entire development stay consistent.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timing  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re starting completely from scratch, your timeline for when you can move in may be unpredictable. Maybe you wanted to customize your kitchen with a specific material but it ends up taking longer to get delivered. You\u2019ll need to factor in these occurrences before you can plan to move in.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the Right Builder  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Not all builders are the same. There may be one over the other that you prefer when it comes to the style of the home they are offering. But when choosing a builder, you\u2019ll also want to factor in the amount of experience they have and how reputable and reliable they are.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying an Older Home: Pros and Cons <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even with existing home sales<\/a> prices rising, sometimes buying an older home is right for you. Maybe you like having a bit of history or prefer the location of the pre-existing home.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the pros and cons of buying an older home.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros of Older Homes <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Move-In Right Away  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Though you may have some small renovations or changes to make, you can generally move in right away once you close on the home. With new construction, it might not even be available. You may have just purchased a lot and need to consider materials and floor plans, have it built, then only move in.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Established Neighborhood  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Older homes are usually clustered in an area that is closer to the center of town. It may be walkable to the local school, amenities, and shops. You already know the area you are buying into without having to do research on what may develop in the future around your new construction.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Yard Space  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Generally, and depending on the neighborhood you are looking to purchase in, there may be more land surrounding the existing home compared to where new construction is being built.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If we consider that the size and general area are the same for a new versus old home, the existing home may cost slightly less.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons of Older Homes <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cost to Maintain  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Especially for historic homes and because they are older, they may need additional upkeep and repairs due to their age. Renovations may also need to be made to stay current with design or to add the technology needed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building Code Compliance  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

With laws regarding safety regulations or health regulations (like lead paint), you may need to get the home approved by inspectors to make sure the structure is current with housing laws.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bottom Line: It\u2019s About What You Want and Need <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering whether to purchase new construction or a pre-existing home, it\u2019s best to weigh these pros and cons, along with factoring in your own needs and financial situation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to start the home buying process? Check out our home finance calculators<\/a> to get a clearer picture of your budget. Or for a more accurate estimate, get pre-qualified online<\/a> in fewer than 10 minutes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are several routes you can take on the homebuying journey. With rising home prices, maybe you\u2019re considering alternatives and have thought about going the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":7149,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15],"tags":[185,600],"content_type":[20],"yoast_head":"\nPros and Cons of Buying a New Construction Home<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"New construction homes offer buyers a number of advantages and disadvantages. 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