New vs "Resale" Homes
As you search for your dream home, you'll probably hear a variety of opinions on whether you should purchase a newly built home or a resale home.
There are advantages to both, and your individual needs, not the age of the structure, should be foremost in deciding which is best for you. For a better idea of which type may be more suited to your needs, let's look at the advantages of both new and resale homes.
Why buy a new home?
Perhaps you love the idea that you can be a home's very first owner. Everything is new and shiny, the neighbors are probably also just moving in, and you can customize the floor plan and colors. Buying a new home can be fun and exciting. Here are some other advantages:
- New homes are built with new materials and appliances, so less maintenance is typically required than with resale homes.
- They often possess more safety features and fewer health hazards to conform to today's building codes.
- Many homebuilders offer warranties in case certain problems develop over time.
- The home's major appliances and systems also typically include manufacturers' warranties.
- They typically feature modern architecture and layout such as great rooms, bigger closets, and additional bathrooms, which often replaces the formal dining and/or living rooms of older homes.
- New homes are usually well-insulated due to better windows, more efficient heating and cooling equipment, and greater use of insulation.
- The homes are often made with materials requiring less maintenance, such as aluminum siding, vinyl windows, and pressure-treated wood decks that resist rot and insects.
- They can be easier to customize than resale homes since you can choose many details ranging from floor plans and paint colors to faucets and light fixtures.
- New homes are more apt to be wired with new technologies in mind, such as being pre-wired for multiple phone lines, high-speed Internet connections and extra cable outlets.
Why buy a resale home?
Housing styles have changed with time, and you might favor more traditional layouts and features. Older houses and neighborhoods may have more character and charm. The trees are full-grown, and the neighbors can tell you all about your new hometown. Here are some other advantages:
- Resale homes may provide more opportunities for home improvements.
- They typically have more land than newer properties due to changes in land-use patterns.
- The homes are often in older, more convenient metro areas rather than outlying suburbs.
- You can use the existing home as a base for building a unique property through modernization or expansion.
- Resales tend to be less expensive than new properties and more likely to come complete with items that may cost extra with a new home such as blinds, landscaping, built-ins, etc.
- Depending on the state, resale homes may have lower property tax rates.
- Owners usually aren't required to pay for the local bonds that are sometimes associated with new development, such as for schools, parks, or road or transportation improvements.
- These homes often have more traditional layouts, which may include such areas as formal living and dining rooms.
- Buyers can most likely purchase a larger home for the same money with a resale than with new construction.
- Buyers often have more room for negotiating the price or terms of sale than new homes.
As you can see, both offer significant, but very different advantages. Keep in mind that the real question shouldn't be about whether to buy a new or used home. It's more about finding which individual property will best meet the needs of you and your family.
New Homes
McKee Homes presents the Finley, which features an open floor plan including a formal dining room and flex room. The flex room can be customized to fit your needs, whethe...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145946 MLS
The Claremont is a large 3-bd/3-ba home with bonus space. This home is situated on over half an acre, off River Road, just minutes from Carolina Beach. High end finishes ...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145919 MLS
Stunning meticulously maintained, like NEW home with all the extras,on a corner lot makes beach living a dream! Grand open floor plan with abundance of windows and natura...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 100145794 MLS
Unique opportunity to build on this lot. Package includes lot, plans and Right to Use. Plans and permitting are ready. This project consist of 9 condos and 1 ground level...
- 100145729 MLS
Wonderful, like new open floor plan custom built by Bostic Builders in 2016. A first floor master suite boasting a beautiful office adjacent overlooking Autumn Hall pond,...
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 100145698 MLS
SeaView Townhomes - Fully Furnished Custom Townhome across street from the Beach in Kure Beach with beach access, Reverse floor plan for great views! Private elevator, pr...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 100145662 MLS
An immaculate, well maintained home in the beautiful neighborhood of Lantana Crossing. The Boca plan by Stevens Fine Homes features a spacious kitchen with 36 inch cabin...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145522 MLS
Proposed Construction of the ''Hamilton'' plan by Charter Building Group on a beautiful wooded lot in the gated community of Forest Creek. Forest Creek is a private neigh...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145498 MLS
Beautiful floor plan proposed by Charter Building Group in the exciting waterfront community of RiverLights. The ''Newport'' offers spacious open concept floor plan with ...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145491 MLS
Under Construction, the Devonshire Plan at RiverLights has coastal charm & open floor plan perfect for entertaining. Home is sited on oversized lot just one block from C...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145472 MLS
Welcome to 8751 Ramsbury Way where elegance meets functionality! This home not only has gorgeous curb appeal that's enhanced by an open front & side porch, a highly sough...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145459 MLS
This home features a guest suite on the first floor, an open kitchen with an island and pantry, and a bay window breakfast area. A spacious great room is adjacent to the ...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145410 MLS
The Jessamine plan is a two story, 2,852 sq. ft. home with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, loft and a 2 car garage. The covered front porch opens up to the foyer. The formal di...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145411 MLS
This home features a guest suite on the first floor, an open kitchen with an island and pantry, and a bay window breakfast area. A spacious great room is adjacent to the ...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145408 MLS
This beautiful, like-new home boasts an open, bright, and airy floor-plan and is conveniently located to Ogden Park, Mayfaire Shopping Center, and Wrightsville Beach! Wi...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145257 MLS
New home under construction in a brand new community, ''The Landing at Lewis Creek.'' The ''Azalea'' a 2 story home with over 2000 sq. ft. plus a double car garage locat...
- 5 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145240 MLS
Exciting new community in Wilmington developed and built by McAdams Homes. Conveniently located to shopping, dining, downtown and beaches. All homes come with granite c...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145241 MLS
New home under construction in a brand new community, ''The Landing at Lewis Creek.'' The ''Jackson,'' a 2 story home with over 2000 sq. ft. plus a double car garage loc...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145238 MLS
Welcome to Catherine's Cove! For decades, this area has been known to the locals as Hardee Park. Families in this area have enjoyed playing, running, holding hands; makin...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 100145205 MLS
Welcome to Catherine's Cove! For decades, this area has been known to the locals as Hardee Park. Families in this area have enjoyed playing, running, holding hands; makin...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 100145204 MLS
Welcome to Catherine's Cove! For decades, this area has been known to the locals as Hardee Park. Families in this area have enjoyed playing, running, holding hands; makin...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145199 MLS
The 'Biltmore'' home design. Estimated completion July 2019. This well planned home is 4 bedrooms 2.5 baths and a loft. The Master Suite is located on the first floor, wh...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145145 MLS
The ''Calabash'' is an open concept ranch plan w/ 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms on the main level & rec room/4th bathroom & 3rd bath on the upper level. The entry of this home o...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145134 MLS
New Construction at Bella Port! Bella Port consists of 39 Homesites. We are currently building the Celeste plan to be complete by 1/31/19. This Ranch home has 10' Ceiling...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145123 MLS
Like new 3 bed 2.5 bath home with 6 foot privacy fenced back yard. 1 car garage.
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 100145001 MLS
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