​#1 Turnkey

When you purchase a new construction home, every detail is taken care of for you before you even move in. There are no adjustments, upgrades, or additions that need to be made for the home to be livable and welcoming. That means you can break out the Pinterest board and focus on the fun decorating projects you've always wanted to do instead of trying to replace old floors, knocking down walls, or updating dusty light fixtures. 

 

#2 Warranty

Most new homes come with a 1-2-10 warranty. It varies by builder, but this usually means that everything bumper-to-bumper is covered in the first year, then appliances remain covered in year two, and in the home's first ten years the structural elements are warrantied. If you're buying a resale that's already 10 years old, you may run into issues that are not in warranty and can cause headaches as soon as you close.

 

#3 Energy Efficiency

A home built today is much more energy efficient than a home built in even 2012. The farther back you go, the less energy efficient a resale home will be. New homes now include the latest energy efficient appliances, wiring, windows and upgraded insulation resulting in big savings over time. Ultimately, it's your monthly payment that you'll need to determine to budget for buying a home, so it's important to look at potential savings that can come from a lower electricity bill every month. 

 

#4 Closing Cost Assistance

Closing costs usually amount to 5% of the home's price. So on a $250,000 home, you'll expect to pay around $12,500 in closing costs (on top of your down payment). Many builders offer closing cost assistance when you use their in house mortgage and title teams. This is a win-win, because you don't have to come out of pocket for all closing cost expenses, and your mortgage is being handled by a partner of the builder, which usually means for less hassle and fewer hold ups throughout the loan process.

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#5 Special Incentives

Similar to offering closing costs incentives, builders will frequently offer design upgrades, reductions in homesite premiums, or other great incentives that mean you get even more bang for your buck when buying a new home.

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#6 Savings on Homeowners Insurance

Newly built homes are vastly more hurricane-proof and structurally sturdy than older homes, and insurance companies will discount your premiums accordingly. Sometimes you can save up to 15% on your homeowner's insurance premium by living in a new home.

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#7 Financial Advantages

With a new home, you don’t need any out-of-pocket spending or home improvement loan for renovations and updates. Upgrades can be rolled into the lower interest mortgage and paid for over time. Plus, there’s no immediate need to budget for high ticket items such as roof replacement, A/C replacement, plumbing issues, etc, so you can start saving instead of spending.

 

#8 Modern Designs

Home builders design their current floor plans with market trends and timeless conveniences in mind. This means you're going to have more opportunity to find an open concept layout with larger bathrooms and naturally lit interiors. In comparison, while a resale's layout may offer charm, it's going to be difficult to host a party when the kitchen is at the back of the home and the living room is at the front. Or to have enough space for you and your significant other in a bathroom that's a total of 6 square feet.

 

#9 Pick Your Options

Depending on the builder, and if you choose to purchase a to-be-built home (instead of an inventory or spec home), you can pick everything: homesite, floor plan, carpet, tile, fixtures, cabinets, paint, the list goes on. You can have your dream home without having to worry about the renovations yourself. It might seem like a good idea to purchase a resale for less money and then Do-It-Yourself to fix it up, but make sure you look at the true costs (in both your time and your wallet) before deciding DIY is better than just having it all done for you when you move in.

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#10 Planned Communities with New Amenities

​New communities are built with modern conveniences and amenities in mind, so neighborhoods include the latest and greatest in features like resort style pools, community fire pits, schools built within the neighborhood, and clubhouses that offer onsite cafés.

 

#11 Avoid a Multiple Offer Situation

When buying a resale there's always a chance multiple offers will be submitted and you might lose out on the home you wanted because someone offered a better deal (higher price, more lenient terms, etc). With a home builder, it's first come first serve, so if you put down a deposit, the home is yours. And if you miss out on the one you love, they may have another of the same floor plan available or you can build one on a homesite of your choice.

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#12 Low Appraisals Are Rare

It is unlikely that a new home won't appraise for the price you offered. Builders price to the market and are not emotionally involved like home owners, so they know what price the home will sell for. That means your appraisal will come back at (or above) the price you offered and you won't have to personally make up the difference in price that your loan won't cover.

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#13 Inspection Issues Won't Ruin the Deal

On a resale home inspection, many things (old roof, plumbing issues, missing appliances) may mean the home doesn't qualify for a loan. In new construction, the home passes an inspection before it can receive a Certificate of Occupancy, so you know your mortgage lender will also approve the condition of the home and approve the loan.

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​#14 Easier Closing Process

When working with a builder who has an entire closing department dedicated to them, it means that everything runs smoothly and they’re on top of making sure all your documents are ready to close on the day you’re supposed to. Plus, there’s virtually no chance of the seller backing out or cancelling the closing like there can be with resales.

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#15 It's Brand New

The most obvious reason is last on the list! When you purchase a new home, you're the first owner and everything is truly yours. You don't have to spend hours peeling off somebody else's wallpaper or replacing all the toilet seats. You don't have to worry if someone's previous DIY work has actually made your house structurally unsound (or if they've done something without a permit which could lead to fines for you, the new owner). You can relax in your clean, fresh, new home knowing your its first and only owner.