Your home is most likely the largest investment you’ll make in your lifetime. The decision of whether to buy an existing home or build a new home can be overwhelming. But doing your research can help you determine which path is best for you and your family. Here are 4 reasons why building may be a better option than purchasing an existing home.
Customize Your Own Finishes
Typical home buyers will walk through a property and point out all of the things they’d like to change. But once the papers are signed and reality sets in, the time and money required to finish those projects can start to add up, with remodel projects never being completed. Or, buyers may decide to live with a finish they don’t like simply because it’s wasteful to tear out something that is perfectly functional. When you build your own home, you get to choose the finishes that speak to you. You don’t have to tolerate someone else’s choices and preferences. You can give your home the exact look and feel that YOU want.
Choose the House AND the Location
It’s common for home buyers to find their perfect house, but then realize it’s not in their ideal location. This leads buyers to compromise on either the quality of the home, or the location. When you build your own home, you get to choose the home, AND the location. You can choose a family-friendly neighborhood, with good schools, that is also close to work. You can choose a floor-plan that is specifically tailored to your family’s needs. You can also make sure your home is built with your climate in mind. For example, a Utah home builder will have the knowledge to account for snowy winters and hot summers, but a California home builder will know better how to make a home ideal for hot summers and mild winters. Buying a home won’t guarantee it’s preparation for the weather, but building a home certainly can.
Plan for Future Construction
Budgets for new homes can quickly spiral out of control. But when you’re building your own home, you don’t have to be able to afford to complete everything you want in your dream home. You have the ability to add the structural, behind-the-scenes elements you’ll need, and then in the future, when the funds become available, you can then finish the projects you want. For example, let’s say you want to one day have a gorgeous finished basement with a theater room, a gas fireplace and guest bathroom. When you build your own home you don’t have to be able to afford all of it right away. You can add in all of the structural elements when the home is being built, and finish it when you can. Add in the wiring for surround sound, and the electrical for a future media closet. Bring in a gas line and build the necessary structural supports for a fireplace. Add in the rough-in plumbing for the future bathroom. Building your own home means you can do whatever you want behind the walls, before the drywall goes up.
Make the Most of Your Investment
Your home is probably the most expensive thing you’ll ever buy. Building your own home lets you control your investment. You can choose which value-adding attributes to add to your home, whether it be a 3-car garage, or a fireplace. Building also ensures you’re buying a quality home. Older homes come with hidden problems that can be expensive to repair, and you don’t want to pay full price for a home that has issues. Building your own home helps you make the most of your investment.
The decision to buy or build is not one to take lightly. Weigh the pros and cons of each and make your educated decision. Getting a new home is an exciting time, and hopefully will be a great experience for you and your family.
