Where Will Your Next Adventure Lead You After You Sell?
If you're getting ready to sell your current home and embark on a new adventure, you'll be pleased to know that the housing market is offering a wider range of options. Not only are there more existing homes for sale, but newly built homes are also becoming increasingly available.
Now comes the exciting part - deciding between an existing home with character or a brand-new, modern space. The choice is entirely yours; all you need to do is determine what aligns best with your preferences and priorities.
Perks of a Newly Built Home
Here are some benefits of buying a newly built home right now:
- Have brand new everything with never-been-used appliances and materials
- Use energy efficient options to save money and leave a smaller footprint
- Minimize the need for repairs and benefit from builder warranties
- Take advantage of builder concessions that can help with affordability
In today’s market, a lot of builders are focusing on selling their current inventory before they add more homes to their mix. And some of them are offering concessions and are more willing to negotiate to make a sale happen.
That, coupled with the fact builders are primarily building smaller, more affordable homes, has led to one other potential perk. The median price for a newly built home in today’s market is actually lower than the median price of an existing home – which isn’t usually the case. Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, shares:
“Homebuyers who are looking for that ‘new-home smell’ may be in a relatively friendlier market than times past when new homes were considerably more expensive than used ones.”
If you’re interested in seeing what builders nearby have to offer, lean on your real estate agent. Their knowledge of local builders, new communities, and builder contracts will be important in this process.
Perks of an Existing Home
Now, let’s compare that to the benefits of buying an existing home.
- Join an established neighborhood that you can get a feel for before moving in
- Choose from a wider variety of floorplans and styles
- Appreciate the lived-in charm that only an older home can provide
- Enjoy the privacy and curb appeal of mature trees and landscaping
In addition to these lifestyle benefits, there’s strategic value to buying an existing home, too. Remember, you can always make upgrades to an existing home down the road to give it some of the latest features available. This gives you the best of both worlds: you’ll get the charm, the neighborhood, and over time, you can still add those on-trend elements you may see in a brand-new home. And if you do, you’ll likely increase the home’s value too. An article from LendingTree explains:
“. . . they can personalize it and possibly increase its potential resale value with cosmetic upgrades . . . Plus, if a home comes with physical details or stories that add charm, in some cases, these elements are attractive enough to add to a home’s resale value . . .”
Want to see what’s available? Your real estate agent can show you what homes are for sale in your area, so you can see if there’s one that works for you and your needs.
Bottom Line
There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether to buy an existing home or a newly built one after you sell, but it’s essential in today’s market to understand the opportunities you can find in both. Let’s connect so you have expert guidance as you explore the options in our area.
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