Hi Lauren,

I thought you might like a buyer's point of view. I've bought existing homes and built new ones. In this market, you should be able to get an exceptional deal on a home that isn't all that old, with many modern features.

New construction seems really nice but they also have much higher taxes. And .. just because it's new doesn't mean it doesn't have all sorts of issues that need to be worked out. There is not a single new home built that doesn't need a "punch list" of issues that the builder is supposed to fix for you. Some builders are good about this and others not at all.

In this climate, I'd be really concerned more than a few years ago as to how many corners might have been shaved off by a developer that might be under a lot of strain. Will he even be around in a year to meet those obligations?

A house that has been around for a few years will generally have a lot of it's kinks worked out. And again - it will have lower taxes. Distressed sellers with great houses are in higher supply now than ever before.

the obvious one is that everything is brand new...you still need to do an inspection.....but all the appliances and a/c heating ...water heater are all new.....

and the other variable right now is that most builders are hurting and are very motivated to reduce inventory so the deals are plentiful.

I would be happy to help you in your home search...and selling your current home if that is the case..

my 24 information line is 1-800-675-1839 ext 125
or 281-935-7839

It really depends on the area you want and the Builders you are looking at. An advantage to a newer home is that you have a longer warranty. Also, no one has lived in the home, but you. You may get a better price because there is a lot of construction going on. Usually by the end of the developement the homes are at a higher price.
An older home can have bigger trees and a more established neighborhood. The home may not a warranty left on it.
Call or email me if you would like I have been selling new homes for over 11 years. I can answer this question a lot better.
Jeff

You should look at new(er) as well as new homes in your area because of the building code updates to withstand windstorm damage. Check with your local building department in the county to determine when the building codes were last signficantly updated. Building codes and of course the building quality of one home versus the other should be part of your considerations. The age of the home is not always the best judge of quality of construction. Newer construction is not always better construction.

Location is also very important. Sometimes the very best locations are already developed, and the landscaping is maturing for a lush setting. Some re-sale homes have value added in window treatments, lighting fixtures and so forth if those chosen by the seller also suit your tastes, as examples. You need to balance the location, quality of construction and your budget to find the best home for you. We wish you good luck with finding the home best for you.

LAuren,

Many buyers shy away from new construction because of the likely chance of additional construction in the area that brings with it undesirable conditions. Construction traffic, construction dust and dirt, laborers, blocked traffic routes, etc. etc.

Other people will avoid a new area because of its stark appearance. The absence of larger established vegetation does not provide the feel that some buyers are seeking.

A benefit to purchasing a new home is that everything is frest & new and warranted.

Hope this is helpful.

The "Eckler team"

Hello Lauren, I'm an agent who has lived in Katy the last 17 years and can discuss this, and any other question you might have.
Please feel free to call 281.578.4050 any time.
Thanks in advance. I look forward to guiding you through the process of buying and selling.
Mike

Yes, it will be in better condition, and you can probably negotiate a very good deal for yourself considering how desperate builders are to move inventory.

Hi Lauren,

Your question is a very good one. I have to agree with most of the answers that have already been given to this question and would like to add the following:

Today's technology is very different than it was 24 years ago. We have more energy efficient homes today. If you are thinking about buying al older house, you really need to take a look at the upgrades that it has had. Does the home still have the original windows? If so, they need to be updated. Windows are part of the AC "system" and can really save you tons of money. What kind of air ducts does the home have? How old is the AC unit? You see these are all questions that you need answered before making a decision on which house to buy. Some older homes will have many updates but others will have little or none. The amount of updates is going to translate into money. If you are going to have to make the updates then you will need to factor this cost into the purchase price.

Not all new homes are the same. If you are buying a new house that costs the same as a 24 year old house, then I would look very closely at who the builder is, and the quality of the home they are building.

Hope this helps.

Lauren-

Good question. I think you will find the consensus answer to be new construction homes are the way to go, but really it just depends on your personal tastes. I have never owned anything less than new construction so it is hard for me to recommend to you one way or the other. The obvious reasons being less maintenance, you typically will have a warranty of up to 10 years on structural items i.e. foundation roof etc., and sometimes up to 2 years on everything else in the house. Just my own personal opinion you don’t truly know how well the existing home was maintained with the previous owners. It also seems like these days you can typically find better deals on new construction inventory homes (10-15% discounts) than you can on resale homes. I'm not saying that aren't great resale homes out there, but new construction is just my own personal choice.

My partner and I just completed a new home section on our website http://www.houstonicon.com/blog/?page_id=78
it has access to information to just about all Houston area builders and some special incentives for our new clients. I have personally worked with clients in your area and have a few favorite communities out there.

If you are indeed interested in purchasing a new home don't go in there without representation. I have seen firsthand builders take advantage of unrepresented buyers. There are many ways they can do this. Please do me a favor and don't go in there unrepresented, whether it's myself or another area agent, otherwise you may regret it in the future.

My partner and I here at Icon Realty specialize and have been trying to focus on the new construction market here in the greater Houston area. I'd love to talk with you about it. Please call me Jeremy or my partner Johnny at 281-296-6226. or you can contact us on our website at http://www.houstonicon.idxco.com/idx/3446/contact.php

Hi Lauren,
There are several benefits and drawbacks for buying a new home. The same is true for resales.

Buying a new home often has steep builder discounts these days for homes sitting in inventory. You are also guaranteed the latest building and safety codes as well as the potential for the most modern upgrades. New homes often come with a warranty which covers anything that malfunctions within the first couple of years. You also have the ability to control the look and design of your new home if you so choose. None of this is available with a resale.

However, you must weigh these benefits with the potential drawbacks. New homes are often in new communities and the future growth, development and stability of these communities are uncertain. You will have a difficult time breaking even on a new home sale if you need to move before construction has completed in the area (Who wants a used home, when there is a new one next door?). Often, new homes do not have the mature trees, or unique flair of homes built some time ago. Many builders have resorted to uninspired boxes that hold people at night. The yard is a barren postage stamp, and your neighbor got the exact same floorplan only flipped. How will this affect resale when the time comes?

Buying a resale home has the benefit of a history. You know, or can find out, how the community has developed throughout the years. Landscaping is more mature and homes are sometimes just built better (depending on the builder of course). Established communities will typically have more stable sales figures or likely increasing value depending on the location. They are also quite often much cheaper than their newer counterparts.

The drawbacks with older homes include: out-dated designs, malfunctioning equipment, repairs and replacements needed, etc. Many of these issues are fixable with remodels and maintenance. However, some of them (i.e. your built into the wall stereo system with state of the art 8-track player) are not.

So to answer your question, yes there are benefits to buying new vs. used. However, there are equally as many potential drawbacks for either. Choose carefully considering the following factors:

1. Quality of construction
2. Functionality to your needs
3. Community
4. Resale value
5. Your Gut

Good Luck!

In a well built home by all means. A new home will not need any upkeep or work for some time, it is modern, clean and up to date and up to code with all mechanics. If you are one who likes older homes with character, old fashioned wood, design, and style you may not like the new contruction way. For me, new construction is the way to go, especially if you can design what you want in the home, pick your styles and colors. it is what dreams are made of.