• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Karen Liester Real Estate

STAY + WANDER

  • SELLING
    • Instant Home Value
  • BUYING
    • Property Search
    • Communities
      • Idaho Falls
      • Rigby
      • Ammon
  • Local Events
  • Blog
  • Contact Me
    • Reviews
  • Home

10 Reasons To Buy New Construction

February 5, 2019 by Karen Liester Leave a Comment

 

You walk into a new construction community and you are immediately overwhelmed with excitement and possibility. You explore the community and everything checks out. The house is exactly what you’ve wanted, the curb appeal is charming, and the smiling salesperson is so friendly. Everything just seems right.


Here are the top 10 reasons to buy new construction:

1) CUSTOM DESIGN

As a Realtor, I show a lot of homes to potential buyers. Even when the buyer absolutely loves the home, there is always something that they would change. They may not like the color of the carpet, backsplash, or walls. I always tell my clients, don’t throw good money at bad design.

When you build a new home, you can build it the way that you want it. This is probably the most attractive reason to buy a new home.

 

2) FUNCTIONAL FLOORPLANS

When I show homes to people, sometimes they have very specific requirements. However, over time, I’ve learned that their specific requirements are actually very common. For instance, when I help buyers that are downsizing, all of them one a single story. When I help growing families, many of them want a bedroom on the first floor, in order to take care of an aging parent. I’ve also noticed that parents with small children always want at least one bathtub in the home (and preferably on the same level as the majority of the bedrooms). And everyone who cooks, wants an open kitchen where they can be with their friends and family while taking care of meals.

When buying new construction, you can make all of this possible. If you want a main level master bedroom, with a fireplace, and a his and hers walk-in closet… You can have it!

 

3) HOME WARRANTIES

When you buy a resale home, things do break down. When you buy a new home, not only is everything brand new, it’s all under warranty. (The state of Idaho requires contractors to carry a 1 year warranty on new construction homes). So you have peace of mind and low maintenance fees.

 

4) ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Homes built these days are constructed with energy bills in mind. Many of them are built with Energy Star products, double pained windows, and spray foam insulation. All of these will save you thousands in utility bills down the road. (Hello Nest thermostat!)

 

5) HIGHER INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Homes built today must meet stringent ventilation requirements. So they end up being more energy efficient, but also safer. The indoor air quality is much higher, so the production of airborne allergens is lower.

 

6) BETTER TECHNOLOGY

Today, homes are built with the most cutting-edge technology around. This includes in the home as well as even in the walls of the home! Better technology means more precise measurements and architecture — both of which contribute to less maintenance down the road. Better technology can also benefit you by providing better finishes, smarter appliances, floors and countertops that won’t scratch!

 

7) COMMUNITY AMENITIES

If you’re looking at a home in a community, some new home communities have lots of amenities to offer. They include everything from playgrounds to pools. New homes also tend to include Homeowner’s Associations (HOA’s) — And although some of these associations come at a monthly fee, you can ensure that your community stays beautiful for years to come and that your home’s value stays on the rise. (Click here to read 7 Ways To Tell If You’re Buying A Home In A Good Homeowner’s Association).

 

8) INCREASED SAFETY

A new home community is often gated, but safety features come with the house as well. For instance, many new homes come readily equipped with (or are wired for) alarm systems. They also have infrared garage door openers that stop when a tricycle is nearby. Some new homes also have state of the art air coolants, which means higher air quality for your family.

 

9) AVAILABLE INVENTORY

We are experiencing a shortage of homes right now. People are living longer and downsizing buyers are opting for aging in place solutions. This means that millennials and first time home buyers have fewer choices when it comes to buying a home. Buying a new home in Southeast Idaho offers a viable solution to our housing problem — especially because we have lots of land available to build on still and home prices are still affordable. You sometimes have to be patient when looking for those lots, but they’re available, I can help you find them!

 

10) THE NEW HOME FEEL

One of the most attractive features of buying a new home is that it’s yours, and only yours. No one else has lived there before you, cooked on your stove, or slept in your bedroom. Understandably, that new home feel appeals to a lot of people!

 

 

WHAT IS A REALTOR’S ROLE WHEN YOU’RE BUYING NEW CONSTRUCTION FROM A BUILDER?

A buyer’s agent’s primary responsibility is to protect the buyer’s interests. Contrarily, a builder representative’s primary responsibility is to protect the builder’s interests. You can immediately start to see how these two responsibilities are diametrically opposed. There’s no way that the builder (or his representative) can represent you and the builder simultaneously.

Will they make sure to negotiate a deal where everyone wins? Sure. Will they abide by all of the laws and ethically during the home buying process? Most of the time, yes. But that doesn’t mean that they will fight on your behalf to protect you. It’s impossible as long as they are wearing the builder’s name tag and cashing the builder’s paychecks. It’s not personal, it’s just business.

 

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING A REALTOR WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME FROM A BUILDER?

First, there is absolutely no cost to you whatsoever when you use a Realtor, so this is the primary advantage of using one. This is because the Realtor is paid a finder’s fee whenever the Realtor successfully introduces and matches a buyer with a new home. This finder’s fee is a commission that most builders will gladly pay because the Realtor found a buyer for one of their homes. Since there is no cost to the buyer at all, it would only make sense that you use a Realtor during the new home purchase.

Second, the Realtor will make sure that all of your interests are protected. The Realtor will do a market analysis on the home to make sure that you are not overpaying for the area. By the time you add on all the upgrades, you could be the highest priced home in the community and that is never a benefit when you need to sell the home down the road. Either way-it’s at the very least, a good thing to know!

Third, the Realtor also knows the area and can tell you if you if there are pitfalls coming down the road. For instance:

  1. Is the builder also planning to build a mall as an attraction across the street?
  2. Is the density of the housing to high, which has a significant impact on the demographics of the community?
  3. Are there Homeowner Associations (HOA) fees?
  4. What are the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs’)?
  5. Are there special assessment taxes — to build new parks, schools, and roads — that the builder is now passing on to you.  (Think of the City of Ammon’s Fiber Optic plan) . They will either absorb them or pass them on. Which scenario do you think happens more often?

Fourth, the real estate agent will guide you through the processes — such as the contract, the construction, inspections, the final walkthrough, and closing. The agent will be able to help you when things go awry, and it’s construction, so they often do. Unfortunately, many of the builder sales representatives are not licensed agents, so when something goes wrong, you are literally subjected to the builder and have no one on your side to protect you, advocate for you, or advise you. Since real estate agents help people buy and sell homes every day, they can foresee and protect you from these situations even before they arise.

Hope these tips help! Did you buy a new construction home?

+kl

 

Filed Under: Hunting for Housing, Real Estate

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Before Footer

@karenliester on Instagram

We’re gearing up for March Madness and Saint Pat We’re gearing up for March Madness and Saint Patrick’s Day! Both of these events, along with warmer weather have our weekly list of events BURSTING at the seams! Get down to the DEC tonight to catch Laugh Like Heck with Rodney Norman, or grab the last few tickets to Diabla’s Vegan Themed Dinner! The St. Patty’s events start tomorrow and go until Wednesday, the 17th. Check out all of the great events going on.  Have a great weekend and stay + wander!
Instagram post 18109645681206076 Instagram post 18109645681206076
Heads up all you love birds-the big ❤ day is com Heads up all you love birds-the big ❤ day is coming up this Sunday. Get your heart (and your home) ready for all the feels with some of these February home decor tips:
⁣
• Did you know they make pink light bulbs? THEY DO! Head to your local home improvement store and grab a few to color your home just in time for Cupid’s arrow. Got little ones? They’ll love it all the more!⁣
• Swap out wall art with a message perfect for the hugs-and-kisses holiday. A good place to look? Etsy -- search for ‘printable valentine’s wall art’ and print right at home.⁣
• Not into hot pinks and reds? No problem! Think blush! A few blush-colored throw pillows or blankets will give a subtle wink to the day without going overboard.⁣
• Nothing says “I love you” like a spread of sweets, cakes, candies, and fruits that double as themed decor. Whether homemade, store-bought, or somewhere in between, gift your loved ones with a feast for the eyes (and tastebuds) this Valentine’s day. ⁣
⁣
Tired of renting and looking for a love nest all your own? I’d love to help. Send me a message and let’s chat.⁣
STAY+WANDER 🏈 . SUPERBOWL WEEKEND! I’m sure STAY+WANDER 🏈 
.
SUPERBOWL WEEKEND!  I’m sure whatever your plans are for this weekend, there will be a handful of you that will spend your Sunday afternoon rooting and screaming at your television! For those of you that are still undecided on your plans, there are (finally!) several local music events going on this weekend! Lava Hot Springs Fire + Ice Winter Festival is going on this Friday and Saturday (check this post out for a full recap we did on the event a couple of years ago). If you haven’t been persuaded yet, maybe wander down to Mac N’ Kelly’s Pub + Grill! Have you been yet? It’s definitely on our list to check it out!  Have a great weekend while you stay + wander!
The GREAT DIVIDE! . Are you ready to go this weeke The GREAT DIVIDE!
.
Are you ready to go this weekend? Ours is a house divided. Tom Brady broke my heart when he left New England, but those roots run deep and it goes against my nature to root against him in the Superbowl, so I find myself on #teamtampabay, while @eliestoh will be cheering for the #chiefs.
.
Who are you rooting for? ...and is there any hope for my marriage? HAHA!!!!
Last year’s biggest home trends? Stretchy pants, Last year’s biggest home trends? Stretchy pants, comfy slippers, and the fastest internet money could buy. This year’s trends give us all a little bit more to look forward to. Here's what designers predict for 2021: ⁣
⁣
1. Cleanliness is still king. Designers anticipate easy-to-clean fabrics and surfaces to remain in demand as a way to help us all stay on top of pesky germs.⁣
2. Expect interior colors to warm up as owners crave warmth, comfort, and coziness. Various shades of browns, oranges, and reds will the trick. ⁣
3. Not into warm hues? Designers think soft shades of blue that create a peaceful vibe will also be popular.⁣
4. Remodeling or building a new construction? Closed floor plans are front-and-center as demand grows for private spaces designated for remote work or at-home learning.⁣
5. Dubbed “grandmillienial” by House Beautiful, the style showing up everywhere blends grandma’s favorite florals with sleek modern staples. Not sure where to start? Just ask yourself WWGD -- what would Grandma do?⁣
⁣
What trends are you lovin' early in 2021? Share them below!⁣
Some days-this is my office...but not often! I hav Some days-this is my office...but not often! I have been able to work from the office for most of the year, but when the kiddos moved to virtual learning last spring, I had to adapt to sharing a workspace with them at home.
.
I want to know! Is this YOU? Have you been working from home for months now (with little ones, furry ones, or both scurrying underfoot)?
.
If you've mastered the dining table office space, what ONE piece of advice would you share with a work-from-home newbie?
.
Please! Share your wisdom in the comments below so we can make the best of what seems to be an ever-changing situation!
Is everyone done decking the halls??? . Right now Is everyone done decking the halls???
.
Right now I’m resisting the urge to keep decorating knowing it will all be down in a week or so!
Here's a link to the @airbnb I posted about in my Here's a link to the @airbnb I posted about in my stories today.
.
https://abnb.me/VTE0JJTukcb
.
Or you can search AirBNB (Idaho Falls) for "The Historic Emerson"
.
❤❤❤
Give the spankin’ new homeowners in your life a Give the spankin’ new homeowners in your life a housewarming gift they’ll use from day one!  Here are my top 10 to get the ideas flowing:
.
▪️Gift cards to home improvement stores (things like rakes, garbage cans and light bulbs are usually in short supply for a first time home buyer especially!)
▪️Gift cards to local takeout and pizza places (with a stack of paper plates to go with it!) I’m looking at you @lucysnypizza 
▪️A personalized welcome mat (have you seen @letterfolk mats? They’re a fave!)
▪️Customized stationary, address labels, wall plaques, etc. (@etsy has you covered here!)
▪️A pizza baking stone and a @papamurphys gift card (check out @bedbathandbeyond for a great stone)
▪️A WiFi password display sign
▪️A photog session for them to pose in front of their new front door (DM @meganowensphotography, she’s amazing 🙌🏻)
▪️Local goodies for out-of-staters (I love @farrsicecream spud bars or huckleberry candy, or @reeds_dairy cheese curds and ice cream!)
▪️Hand wash and lotion set (perfect for the rona + house guest + flu combo season we’re in)
▪️A “new home” holiday ornament (I got the cutest one from @magnolia)
.
New homeowners, we celebrate you-enjoy your first Christmas in your new home!
.
What’s the best housewarming gift you’ve received???
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Brokerage Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Me

Copyright © 2021 · Wellness Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in