Thinking about a new home is exciting: new rooms, new designs, new neighborhood, new everything!
The tricky part, though, is actually getting there—many get stuck in deciding whether they should buy a new house or build it. After all, it is a big decision to make.
Statistics show that the average cost of buying a new home in the U.S. is rising. That said, there are two smart alternatives you can explore to build your dream home: buying a used home or building your own from the ground up.
Choosing between buying and building is a major decision in your journey to being a homeowner. It will take time, consideration, and probably more than one list of pros and cons. To inform your decision a little bit more, we’re here to present a few perks that come with each option.
Buying a home
You save yourself from the extra hassle.
Building a home involves a significant amount of planning. Buying a used home, on the other hand, can be your quickest and most convenient way to becoming a homeowner.
Most of the time, you will only need to look around and do a background check on properties you are interested in. Once you’ve picked the one that suits your needs the best, you can extend an offer, close the deal, and move in!
You can move in as soon as possible.
Most used homes are furnished with essential furniture, fixtures, and home systems. Again, for those who are looking to move in very quickly, this is a factor worth looking at. Remember, though, that everything will require some looking over to ensure they’re in good working condition. In some cases, you may find some requiring upgrade or repair.
You can easily choose the location.
It may be easier to find a pre-existing house in a location you already have in mind—whether it’s a neighborhood near your workplace or one that suits your lifestyle.
Building a house
Building a house is a cost-effective option
At first glance, buying a used home may seem like a more affordable option. However, it’s helpful to consider that you may eventually need to spend more as you work on upgrades and repairs.
Building a house from the start, on the other hand, allows you to have your materials brand new. This saves you from hidden costs and allows you to properly budget your finances.
You’re in command
Building from literally nothing gives you a lot of freedom throughout the construction of your new home. Along with the help and advice of your chosen custom home builder, your dream house will follow the floor plan and designs you desire. You will not need to adjust your design to the used home’s layout. The open area goes where you want it to go!
You choose the materials which will be used
As you are building your house from scratch, you have the liberty to choose the materials to be used. This allows you to effectively avoid toxic substances, such as lead paint.
In the same way, you will be able to create a more efficient system for your home-to-be (e.g. insulation and HVAC systems). That means lower energy consumption levels for you.
You save yourself from the unknowns
It can be hard to determine whether or not a used house had pre-existing conditions such as molds, especially when they’re cosmetically concealed! Building your own home saves you from this trouble right away.
Conclusion
Buying and building a home come with their own sets of benefits and costs. As with any other major investment, you’ll have to carefully consider your resources and needs before making the final decision. If possible, though, we always recommend building a custom home. After all, it’s the only way to truly bring your dream house to life!
If designing and styling your dream house sound more appealing to you, our team of experts at Duke Homes are here to help. With our extensive experience in the construction industry, we can help you build a luxury custom home that you can truly call your own.