Why Buy a New Home
According to recent consumer research, there is a lingering sense among consumers that homes were built much better in "the good old days", lovingly put together by old-world craftspeople who "really knew their stuff".
But the truth is that even the last five years have seen major changes and improvements in the way new homes are built. Many builders agree, that from a technical standpoint, today's homes are a far cry from those built in the past. Unfortunately, many of the real improvements are behind the walls, and customers are not always aware of them.
For home owners, this superiority translates into benefits that yesterday's home buyers could not even begin to imagine. It starts with the basics-a comfortable indoor environment year-round. Cold, overheated, drafty or stuffy homes are a thing of the past thanks to better building techniques, a host of effective insulation products and energy-efficient heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
New homes are also healthier to live in as mechanical ventilation brings in fresh air from the outside and gets rid of old, stale air. No more dampness, mold and mildew, and no more lingering "bad air"!
When it comes to design and finishing touches, the days are gone when a new home offered a bland backdrop for your furniture. Today's new homes come with built-in character in all price ranges. Layouts are designed with today's families in mind to accommodate the way we live. And low- and no-maintenance products have cut down the time that home owners need to spend on upkeep and cleaning chores.
Today's new home builder is a modern-day craftsperson. The tools and the technology may be different, but the goal of a good builder never changes: to provide the customer with the best possible home for years of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Reasons to Buy New?
1. FAVORABLE PRICING
Competition among homebuilders makes new homes less likely to be overpriced. New homes are easy to compare with other new homes in the market equating value to value. The homes are the same age and options are declared up front with a price breakdown for competitive shopping. Over time, the price of land has added more to the cost of a new home than a modest increase in building supply expenses.
2. SIMPLIFIED FINANCING
Securing financing is the major obstacle to home ownership. Most homebuilders have done the leg work for you. They have researched the market and negotiated the best rates for their specific type of housing. Many homebuilders now include closing costs in the price of their homes.
3. NEW HOME WARRANTIES
New home buyers are assured at least a one year warranty on the home itself and most likely five years on major appliances including air conditioning and heating systems. Many of today's homebuilders extend structural warranties to a full ten years underwritten by insurance companies.
4. MODERN APPLIANCES
Appliance manufacturers introduce new models every year and homebuilders are able to offer the latest state-of-the-art equipment at the time of completing a new home. And, because the homebuilder buys for his entire production of new homes, his purchasing power can reduce the cost to the buyer.
5. HOMESITE SELECTION
Location, location, location. Being able to select "just the right homesite" is almost as important as choosing the proper home to fit the buyers lifestyle. Developers and homebuilders offer a wide selection of sites including golf course locations, waterfront, rural acreage and more.
6. FLOORPLAN OPTIONS
Builders of new homes offer a wide variety of functional floorplans to fit your lifestyle. If it's not an "inventory home" homebuilders also offer the opportunity to either eliminate or add to rooms, upgrade materials, include special architectural features and generally customize the home.
7. LATEST MATERIALS
Low maintenance is one of the most important features of the new homes being built today. New technology in building materials has made the homes of the 2000's virtually maintenance free, especially on the exterior. No longer does the homeowner have to worry about painting every 3-5 years.
8. CHOICE OF FINISHING
With a new home it's possible for the buyer to be the decorator before moving in. Choices of carpet, wall coverings, paint color, light fixtures, window treatments, etc. enables the new homeowners to live with their personal selections and not be restricted by the taste of the previous owner.
9. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
A new home built today is required by law to meet stricter energy codes than homes built in the past when energy codes didn't exist or were much more lenient. Many homebuilders use materials that are designed to exceed the strict limits to produce future savings for the owner. Better windows, more efficient heating and cooling equipment, better control of air infiltration, and greater use of insulation reduce energy consumption to about half as much energy as homes built prior to 1980.
10. LOWER MAINTENANCE
It is a given that all manufactured products have an expected lifespan. Daily use, weather and quality of care all play a role in longevity. Buying a new home eases the nagging question of "How long before it breaks down?" With a new home the answer is simply, a substantially longer period.- New homes are available with siding, windows and trim that never need painting.
- Wood decks are typically made of pressure-treated lumber which resists rot and insects.
- Pressure-treated wood is also used where wood comes in contact with concrete
11.COMPATIBLE NEIGHBORS
In most new communities, buyers will be moving in with neighbors in generally similar circumstances. Often with pre-owned homes in established neighborhoods, the homeowners may find themselves in a difficult situation as the "new kid on the block" unable to quickly fit in to social situations.
12. VALUE APPRECIATION
Statistics say that the typical home will need remodeling after a life expectancy of 25-30 years. Since new homes have an assured longer life, appraisals will be generally higher than on comparable existing homes, making conditions more favorable for future resale at appraised appreciated prices.
13. CONVIENIENCE
- Dishwasher, refrigerators, microwave and other appliances can be built-in for convenience.
- New home have more electrical outlets, cable television outlets, telephone and computer wiring.
- There are more full and half bathes with features such as vanity cabinets, large mirrors and medicine cabinets, whirlpool tubs and easy-to-clean plastic tub enclosures.
- Windows are usually easier to clean and are more energy efficient. Modern floor plans provide efficient living space.
14. SAFETY
- Many new homes have hard-wired smoke detectors on every level. Usually, they are interconnected so that if one detector alarm sounds, they all sound.
- Electrical power systems in new homes are properly sized for the heavier electrical demands of today's homes.
- There also are more receptacles so people need fewer extension cords which can overload circuits, trip people and start fires if they become worn and frayed.
- Ground fault interrupters for bathrooms, kitchens, and outside receptacles reduce the chance of fire and electrocution.
- Glass in tub enclosures and patio doors in new homes must be tempered so that it will crumble if broken instead of shattering into large jagged pieces that can seriously injure people.
15. HEALTH
- Asbestos has been eliminated from shingles, pipe, cement board, roof tar, floor tiles, ceiling tiles and insulation.
- Lead can cause a wide range of physical and mental ailments. It is not used as an ingredient in paint anymore, and it is no longer used as solder for plumbing.
- Formaldehyde emissions from particle board and hardwood plywood have been greatly reduced in new homes.
- Urea-formaldehyde finishes on most kitchen cabinets are now baked or cured to minimize emissions.
- Builders are now installing systems to control radon gas where it is a problem. These systems usually include installation of gravel and polyethylene film beneath basement floors and concrete slabs, and provide for later installation of vent pipes and fans, if required.