If you’re ready for a new home, you may be wondering if you should buy or build. Both options offer a variety of pros and cons and you should carefully consider each option.
Here are 7 factors to think about to help you make the right choice for your family.
Design control
When you build a home, you control the design and layout of the house. This can give you a livable house that is properly suited for your family’s needs. Since the home will have the features you select, you can avoid costly remodeling projects.
Neighborhood
If your home is in a new development, you won’t know much about your neighbors until it’s completed. Think about whether this will be an issue for your family. While building codes and upcoming development projects can give you a little foresight, it will be hard to get a true feel for the neighborhood in the absence of your future neighbors. With an existing neighborhood, you can get to know the area and residents first to decide if it is the right fit for you.
Home maintenance
New construction homes can have significantly reduced maintenance fees. Wear and tear on existing structures means repair and renovation may be just around the corner. This can impact your monthly budget, not to mention add to the ‘headache factor.’ With a new home you can relax a bit more knowing that you have a warranty and no hidden maintenance projects are lurking behind the walls.
Monthly expenses
A benefit of new construction can be improved energy efficiency. New wiring, insulation, and energy star rated appliances can help to lower your utility bill in comparison to an existing structure. A new home may also qualify for lower homeowner’s insurance. Talk to your insurance agent about different qualifications.
Time to completion
When you build a new home, you can expect the process to take some time. A normal project can take 4 to 6 months. Think about whether you can wait that long before moving into your new house. You may need to use temporary housing and storage facilities during this process. Price out the costs of those factors when looking at your overall budget. Don’t forget to consider the inconvenience to your family as well. If you have young children, moving into temporary housing for a few months may be much more hassle than it’s worth.
Time commitment
The building process can be very involved. There are lots of decisions to be made, including selecting kitchen appliances, flooring samples and light fixtures. If you decide to build, be prepared to put some time in every day communicating with your contractor. If you are not able to commit to some back and forth, this may not be the right time to build.
Budget
Think about your overall budget carefully. A new construction estimate likely contains mostly base model features. Upgrades and extra customization can really add up. Make a list of the most important elements of your new home and work with the builder to prioritize your budget. Make sure that you have the budget to design what you want. If not, you may want to consider buying and remodeling at a later date.
