When a Resale Beats New Construction

Things to Consider When Considering New Construction

Building a brand new home can be a great experience. You get to pick and choose many of the features and finishes you want. You may be able to implement some up-to-the minute configurations, such as smart home technologies, low-e glass, tankless water heaters and the like. And, of course, your home is brand new…you and your family are the first and only ones to live there.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of great reasons to buy a resale home. Here are just a few:

1. Location
   The most desirable locations in many areas are already built out. So a resale may be your only option when it comes to popular waterfront, beachside, urban or other properties. Even in areas with new construction, prime lots (e.g., preserve and water views, no neighbors behind, room for pool, etc.) may have already been snatched up, meaning you may have to wait for a resale to get the lot you want.
2. Upgrades
   Unless you’re doing a total custom build, your builder will probably offer you a pre-determined set of upgrades from which to choose. Some of these will be worth the cost to do through the builder, during construction. Others may be more economical to do after you move in. And some upgrades that you have in mind, the builder may not offer at all.
3. Price
   Depending on the market where you are, the oft-used real estate descriptor, “You can’t build this house with these upgrades for this price!” may be true. Especially if the home you’re considering has features and upgrades the builder doesn’t, or can’t, offer.

We have a listing in Del Webb Ponte Vedra right now that’s a perfect example of all three of these things.

It’s on a premium lot with preserve views, front and back.

It has upgrades that the builder won’t/can’t offer, including cork floors, a skylight, Bahamian-style shutters, a custom door to the owner’s suite and contemporary media console.

It’s priced very well for the upgrades included, and new owners can move right in, without the hassle of having to make an improvements themselves.

There are a lot of pros and cons involved with both new construction and resale homes. Let us give you the benefit of our experience. If you’re deciding whether to build or buy resale, contact us using the form below: