It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time home buyer or a resale owner looking for information about new homes. You should start by understanding the differences between a construction of new home and an older home.
These properties can be defined based on their differences in four key areas: Construction quality and cost of ownership, design preferences, energy efficiency, and construction quality. Let’s have a closer look.
Quality New Construction
When homebuyers are ready to buy a home, quality of construction is their number one priority. Modern homes are constructed with the most up-to-date products, techniques, materials, and must comply with all applicable building codes. No matter your budget, you can expect important safety features in your new home, such as smoke detectors and ground fault circuit breakers to reduce the chance of electric shock. A new home construction is able to withstand the wear and tear of a resale property.
You want more assurance? New homebuyers can have inspections at no additional cost at various points in the construction process. This allows you to be sure that your home is meeting all current building codes, including plumbing and electrical work.
Low cost of ownership
Lower initial costs are an important factor to consider. “Most builders cover some closing costs so buyers need less upfront,” Lind Goodman, sales manager at Builder Services, Inc. in Charlotte, N. C. says. “Sellers do not always pay closing costs.” Buyers don’t have to worry about purchasing large items immediately because builders offer a move in package that includes appliances. Goodman points out that loans with low down payments or zero down payment can be used for both new construction and resales.
New homes are constructed in compliance with current building codes and regulations. This often includes new technologies and energy efficiency, which results in lower utility bills and more savings over time.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a modern home is 30% more efficient than a home built five to seven years ago. These significant cost savings can be invested in many ways. The family vacation? How can we help our children’s college fund? How can you save for retirement? What is your favorite charity? Perhaps a combination of all three? New homes offer you these savings and options.
The maintenance, repairs, and upgrades that a new home will need are not as extensive as those required for a pre-owned house. This saves time, money, and helps to reduce stress when taking care of a home. A warranty covers all products and the home. This gives you peace of mind. Builders offer warranties for their homes. These typically last one to two years for systems and materials, and ten years if the structure. Contrary to this, you must consider the life expectancy of appliances, heating, cooling, and heating systems as well as other important components when buying an older home. A home inspection is a different experience than a resale where you must negotiate for repairs. Instead of a checklist that the inspector points out, a custom home builder will fix any minor issues before you can move in.
Diane Morrison, Ryland Homes’ national vice president of marketing and sales, states that a new home will feature the most up-to-date products and technology available. People often don’t know what it takes to maintain their home. This can lead to them comparing new homes with older homes.
Design for Today’s Lifestyle
Homes built decades ago were designed to meet the needs of their buyers. A single shared bathroom was acceptable on the upper floor for three bedrooms.
Homebuyers today prefer open floor plans, which are often without a formal living area. The average new home is almost 1,000 square feet. New homes are almost 1,000 sq. ft larger than average pre-existing homes. Even the smallest home has a private owner’s bathroom and a shared full bath with other bedrooms. Many new homes offer private baths for each bedroom. Multi-generational living spaces are often included. These include spacious, open kitchens that will satisfy your inner Iron Chef and flexible areas that can be transformed into sunrooms, libraries, or studies.
You can pick the floor plan you want when buying a new house. You can also customize the layout and features to personalize the space. There are many practical and innovative ways to make use of areas in your home such as the garage’s entrance. Many modern families want a drop zone space for backpacks, sports equipment, or to charge their phones, tablets, and laptops. It is possible to plan the storage space for your new home to make sure your belongings are accessible but not visible. Designing a home that suits your family’s needs now and in the future will increase the likelihood of you staying there for longer. Additionally, it can help to save money by not having to move as often.
“We reduced our home by 700 square feet, but the new house feels twice as big because it has an open floorplan and all of its space is used,” Jenny Pauline Mendoza (buyer at McCaffrey Homes Clovis, California) says. “This place also has lots of storage. In 1950, our house had very little storage.
Homebuyers who enjoy entertaining create a catering area or party prep area in their home. This includes special shelves for plates and punchbowls, additional glasses, and even a beverage cooler to hold large parties. Others have their home wired or designed for the latest wireless technology. This allows them to control and monitor home security, home automation, and networking. A new home can be adapted to meet your current needs and provide flexibility for the future. Just let your home builder know.
First-floor suites for owners are very popular in many areas of the country and can be found in almost every new home. Buyers are also choosing a first-floor bedroom with a private bath and walk-in closet, along with an owner’s suite on the upper level. If the homeowner wants to age in place, they can use the first floor space as a guest bedroom, for parents with older children, or as an owner’s suite.
You can also choose a traditional floor plan that includes a formal living and dining room as well as a kitchen with new materials. There are many other benefits, including a new bathroom with your choice of finishes and a brand new kitchen.
Personalizing your new home is a fun part of the homebuying process. It transforms your living space into a relaxing and comfortable sanctuary that suits your lifestyle and preferences. Production builders offer quick-move-in homes that are almost complete or near completion, which allow you to personalize your home. Because new homes are less expensive per square foot than older homes, choosing to build a home from scratch maximizes your return on investment and saves you time and money over the lifetime of your home. You get the best bang for your buck and you can build the home of your dreams.
Energy Efficiency
Many new homes have Energy Star-rated appliances, which can help reduce your electricity and gas consumption as well as lower your utility bills. However, Energy Star appliances are just one of many energy-saving features that can be found in new homes. Today’s houses are built with energy-efficient windows and better insulation. This can help improve the air quality. Modern furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioning systems are more efficient than the heating and cooling systems of the past.
The HERS Index (The Home Energy Rating System Index) can be used by homebuyers to find out more about the energy efficiency in their new home. A certified Home Energy Rater will calculate a HERS score. This website RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) explains. A home that has a lower HERS score is considered more efficient. RESNET reports that the U.S. Department of Energy determined that a typical resale house scores 130 on its HERS Index. A standard home gets a rating of 100. A home with a HERS Score Score of 70 is 30% better than a standard home, while a home with 130 HERS Index Score is 30% lower than a standard home.
Many features that improve energy efficiency in new homes are not visible to buyers. Custom features like solar panels, tankless water heaters and geothermal heating systems can often help to reduce energy consumption.
Mendoza states that our utility bills for the old house, built in 1950s, were approximately $300 to $400 per month. Our bills now run at $60 per month. This is a remarkable savings. The house is built with better energy efficiency and we also chose solar panels.
Additional Perk: Safer Neighborhoods
When buying a custom built home, location is an important factor. New homes and communities are built near urban centers and other amenities. This provides families with both a new home and a vibrant neighborhood. Home buyers are conscious of the importance of living in a safe area. Investing in a home will allow them to feel secure in their home and the neighborhood in which they live.
Home buyers with children should consider getting zoned in the best schools in the area when looking to purchase a home. New homes are more likely to be home for children who attend high-quality schools and have higher English and math achievement.
Call Dawol Homes now if you want to know more about new home construction.
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Dawol Homes
9404 Hwy 17 Bypass,
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 294-2859
Dawol Homes Sales Office
3100 Dick Pond Rd # E
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
843-294-2859
We build homes in: Cypress River Plantation, Waterway Palms, Waterbridge, Murrells Inlet, Collins Creek, Bellwood Landing, Carolina Forest, Plantation Lakes, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Pawleys Island, Litchfield Plantation