When it comes to major life decisions, it doesn’t get much bigger, more exciting or nerve-wracking than buying a new home. But what does buying a new home really mean? We break down key considerations to take into account when deciding whether to buy resale or new from a homebuilder.
Design
Interior design makes the most of space and improves your quality of life. So unless you can find a redesigned home up for sale, chances are that a newly designed house will offer floor plans that maximize square footage, offer more natural light and deliver features that better meet the needs and wants of modern residents.
Warranty
If peace-of-mind is top-of-mind, then buy new. When you buy a new home from Empire, we will make sure you’re protected by the most comprehensive coverage available through 2-10 HBW – an industry leading, insurance-backed new home warranty.
Energy Bills
If reducing your environmental footprint and keeping your energy bills down are important to you, then a new home can make it easier to go green.
Amenities
Amenities are shared spaces such as fitness centers, pools, walking trails and parks that all community residents can take advantage of. Often times buying new means you’ll be moving into a new community with brand new amenities waiting to be enjoyed. Whether you decide to go new or resale, a good rule of thumb before you buy is to ask yourself if you’ll actually use the amenities that will be part of your community.
Maintenance
It stands to reason that the newer the house, the less maintenance and repair it requires. But new or resale, protecting your investment with routine maintenance is a must, so make sure you have a clear understanding of the amount of regular and seasonal maintenance you’ll need to commit to keep your home in great shape.
Price & Costs
If you are comparing prices of new and resale properties in the same area, property values and taxes will be similar. That being said, there are a few ways that you can save money with new builds that don’t work for resale. If you buy new it is easier to assess quality. In addition, buying a new build in the pre-construction phase allows you to beat the rest of the market to the product and get the best prices.
Curious about Empire’s new homes? Browse our map of communities.