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:
- Is the builder also planning to build a mall as an attraction across the street?
- Is the density of the housing to high, which has a significant impact on the demographics of the community?
- Are there Homeowner Associations (HOA) fees?
- What are the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs’)?
- 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?
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