Building your home from the ground up can be a very rewarding feeling. You are able to design your dream home. At the same time, there are some drawbacks to building a new construction home. There are good things about it and there are some bad things about it, like everything else. Before you pull the trigger on buying a new construction home, here are some things you should consider.
Would You Rather Have A New Home Or A “Used” Home?
That is really the major difference between new construction homes and older homes. On the plus side, a new home gives you the opportunity to live in a place no one else has lived. Literally, everything will be brand new. Everything will be clean, never touched before. The details of your home like the baseboards, every nook and cranny from the new home will be starting over. If you are someone who really likes a clean home, purchasing a “used” home may not be the best option unless you are willing to spend money to get it cleaned.
Who Are Your Builders?
You want to make sure that the builders of your new construction home are reputable. Do research on who you will be enlisting to build your home. Though their pictures on their website draw you in, look past that to find out if they are qualified to build the home of your dreams. It is recommended that you look at the homes they have completed, have a conversation with the homebuyers who have built with them. You want to make sure there are not any complaints filed against them. Doing thorough research is a great way to better get to know your builders before they start building. Remember, it is your dream home. A builder that is going to accurately execute your vision is imperative.
Do You Care About Customization?
This is another major factor that sets new construction homes apart from their “used” counterparts. Since this is a home built from scratch, you can customize it to feet any and all your needs. You get to choose everything. You can pick the color of the siding, the placement of light fixtures and outlets. These are all things that are much more expensive to customize after the home is already built. When you have the opportunity to customize your home while it is being built, this could be a great option for you. If you do not care about customization, this reason may not be as appealing.
Do You Want Options?
How you want your house built is ultimately dependant upon the floorplans and options you have at your discretion. Most home builders will only let you pick from a few floorplans and other details like wall paint, countertops and flooring. Anything extra or out of the typical floorplan they build, you will have to go about making those changes yourself. You may have the option of having the builder install your home appliances like refrigerator and stove, as long as you purchase it from an outside buyer. Typically they charge a premium for this service.
At the same time, having too many options can make it more difficult to make a decision. For some people having too many options can be paralyzing. Sometimes having a limited list of options can be good. It all depends on what you want and what your needs are.
You Have The Option To Upgrade The Construction, But For A Price
More than likely the first price discussed when picking a new construction home is just the base as it only includes the basics like the structure itself, the lot of the home it sits on as well as the landscaping that surrounds it and standard finishes. Typically you will have the option to upgrade your new home construction, but for a price. For example, you may want to add an extra bedroom or bump out the first floor. Maybe you want wood floors as opposed to carpet, recessed lighting, a fireplace and an updated kitchen. All of these add-ons are great for further customization. Keep in mind these add-ons come at a price, so you can upgrade your home with ease.
Do You Care About Energy Efficiency?
If this matters to you, opting for a new construction home is the best option to pick. Newer homes tend to be more energy-efficient than older homes because they are usually built with the sole intention of using less energy. You also have more say over the methods used to decrease your home’s carbon footprint.
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