Buying a home is an exciting milestone. It’s a dream for many people. It begins by envisioning your new space and your life there. What it will be like when you pull into your driveway, or finally have the on-suite bathroom you’ve been dreaming of. It’s all fun and games, but there are many decisions to be made in the home buying process once you are seriously in the market. The biggest and first being; what are you looking for? More specifically, are you buying a newly built home or an older home? There are pros and cons to both, but the pros may be in favor of new real estate. Let’s take a look. Here are five reasons to consider a home built just for you.

1. Make It Your Own

With a new build you often have the opportunity to be a part of the design process. Whether that means choosing finishes, picking a layout, or designing the home from scratch, you know the finished product will be exactly what you want. You can even compare builders to know what customization options are available to you based on your priorities. Often, customizing a home is more cost effective than renovating an older home. Not only that, but it comes with the satisfaction of knowing that you have a say in many aspects of the home design. With social media now being bigger than ever, many people have a list of “wants” in their dream kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, etc. When you build a home you can have all those “wants” turned into realities.

2. Energy Efficient

It’s cool to go green and it’s good for the environment too! With a newer home you can choose environmental options, from the exterior to the appliances and everything in between. The standards of building have evolved over the years, and a home that is up to date is going to save money in the long run. Especially if you live in a place with cold winters, your heating bill could be cut in half by opting for a newer home. Even newer windows alone can prevent 25-35% of heat loss, and that’s just one example of how a newer home is going to save more energy. Which means that although buying new can cost more upfront, you may end up saving money by having lower energy expenses as well as lower maintenance costs.

3. Less Work

If you like peace of mind, it is worth noting that newer homes typically require less upkeep. Not only will your home be up-to-date, but you won’t have to worry about the sudden unexpected expenses that can come with an older home. Depending on the age of a home some things will have to be replaced when the parts to repair it are no longer available. When you buy a new home you don’t have to anticipate these expenses. Additionally, new homes often have a warranty to cover major expenses so that if something does happen within a certain time frame after purchase, your out of pocket cost would be very low if anything.

4. First Times a Charm

If you choose a new home, you and your family will be the first ones to ever live in it, meaning it will be as clean as it could ever be. You won’t have to wonder if the previous people kept the home to the standard and condition that you will. Everything will be brand new and untouched. For some people, this can be a major reason to opt for a new home because there are no guessing games or surprises. You know that the carpets are new and clean, the appliances are spotless, there are no oil spots in the garage. All of this can contribute to feeling as comfortable as possible, which you should in your new home.

5. Best Deal

Some builders have lending incentives that are competitive with typical mortgage lenders and can even save you money on things such as closing costs. It doesn’t have to break the bank when building a custom home. It’s important to always shop your mortgage options before committing, because you never know who is going to offer you the best opportunity.

When all is said and done, there is a strong case made to buy a new custom home, but you have to make the choice that’s best for you. The reality is though, that many people don’t realize they can afford a custom home and so they never take the time to look into it. For most people it’s more attainable than they ever thought possible. If you dream of having a brand new custom home, don’t be afraid to do some research, you might be surprised by what you discover.