New construction homes are ideal for homebuyers who want the perfect, move-in ready home.
Buying a home is a serious investment, especially when planning to move into an active adult community. In addition to searching for a perfect home, buyers are also looking for a community which will meet their social and recreational needs. Yet when it comes to choosing a retirement community, active adult homebuyers are still plagued by the classic question: Is it better to buy a new or resale home?
Some people adamantly believe that a new construction home isn’t worth the bother, while others insist that being a home’s original owner is the only way to go. Ultimately, the choice is a personal one. There is no “best” for everyone.
One of the benefits of buying a new construction home is having the ability to choose every detail (from among the available options). You can generally choose from a variety of floor plans and pick options and upgrades which will make it your own. You will have a choice of cabinets, floors, light fixtures and much more. New construction options might include elements like covered porches, bay windows and bonus rooms. You can even choose the lot where your home will sit.
On the other hand, some homebuyers might prefer to buy a resale home that they like well enough and make their own renovations later down the road. Instead of being limited by the options provided through the builder, they will then be able to arrange the upgrades through any contractor or even make the improvements themselves.
The age of a home also factors into the decision. Home design trends change over time and some buyers might prefer the layout of an older home over today’s open floor plans. However, new construction homes are more likely to have more up-to-date, energy-efficient systems and elements.
One way to make the decision easier is to stay open to all of the possibilities. Homebuyers who are set on finding a new construction home might reconsider if they happen across an affordable resale home which already has the design features that they prefer. Likewise, retirees who are sure a resale home is the best way to go might change their tune if they discover a new community which has all of their dream amenities, yet only offers new construction homes.
Like many other decisions homebuyers face, the choice between new and resale homes will never be settled with one single answer. Some homebuyers will be happiest with a new construction and others will be just as happy with a resale home. Staying open to the possibilities is the best way to find the best home for you.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Reading this article was a waste of time…some people prefer new houses, some do not…dah!
Looks like Dennis H got up on the wrong side of the bed. Any info you can pick up today when making a decision for tomorrow is an asset, of course if you are open minded. Keep up the good work and keep the articles coming.
Agree with Jim. You can always get a new perspective on some new read.
We are very early in our search.
I agree…. with the attitude nice attitude Dennis H has, I would advise him to look for his own island.
Sorry… I started to write “nice attitude”.. but changed it to witht he attitude Dennis H has, I would advise him to look for his own island.
We looked at both resale and new construction with a totally open mind for both. Ultimately decided on a new home in a new community that offered all of our dream amenities but only offered new construction.
Going into the hunt with an open mind is the best way to find that perfect home in the community you want to be in.
If you don’t mind me asking, what community did you choose? We are in the process of looking. Thanks
I would add that one should be very aware of what is STANDARD in a newly constructed home and what is an upgrade or add on. Many of the communities have model homes that have dozens of upgrades that of course greatly enhance the appeal. So while the base price may seem attractive, the upgrades can easily add another 25% to the bottom line. But at least you would be paying for the upgrades YOU want, and not those a previous owner wanted. Best to ask a lot of questions before committing.
GREAT comments, Rian! Buyers need to be aware of that “base price” since that is only a “teaser” price by builders to get you interested in buying one of their homes. Adding costs for upgrades, bedrooms instead of offices, and premium lots (if applicable) will greatly increase the final price of a new home.
I thought this article presented some brief but important points on whether to buy new or used. Newer homes are nice in some ways like the article stated but today, they are NOT usually built better than older homes and those older homes may be the way to go in that aspect. There are way too many builders today who hire cheap and unskilled labor and thus, you get a new home with MANY building problems! I discovered this with a community in New Mexico and with the builder of that community who has had a POOR record for building problems. And that community HAS HAD MANY BUILDING COMPLAINTS with the new and newer homes! So do your homework and know who the builder is if you decide to buy a new home as all builders are NOT created equal! Buyer beware!!!
I agree with Doug, that you need to get information on the builder, however can anyone give suggestions on how to learn more about builders, other than the BBB?
Diane, the answer to your question is VERY easy: Just do a Google search and type in the name of the builder and add the word “complaints” and see what comes up. I did this with the builder of the New Mexico adult community that I was interested in and was SHOCKED to see and read all the complaints from VERY ANGRY consumers who bought homes from this builder. And like Bill said, go to the community and try to talk to some of the homeowners there. Most of the time, they will be more than happy to share the pros and cons of living there and if the homes are built well or not. DO NOT ask the sales people at the community since they are trying to sell homes and will try to “sugar coat” the truth!
Thanks, Doug. GREAT IDEA!!!
Interesting discussion gang. We looked at new developments back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s before we bought. In the end, we purchased a 40 year old home in the original Sun City with great bones. In the past 11 years we have put our signature on it and every year we do another “project or two.” That was our preference, to remodel in a community where the prices were good and the value outstanding, It’s not for everyone though; patience and the ability to see the potential in an older home was important.
To answer your question on where to turn to get the truth…simple…the people living in the community. You know sales people will give you the company line. Hang around the pools, clubs and organizations to get the inside dope. It’s interesting because one of the properties near us has a reputation from the before and after era of a well know builder and the ones that speak the loudest about it are the ones that have been through it. Don’t be afraid to ask, people living in retirement communities are often short on money but long on opinions and the time to share them.
We have looked at several 55+ communities in Florida and South Carolina. Does anyone have an opinion about Lakes of Mt. Dora in Mt. Dora, FL?