After deciding to buy a home, the first question home shoppers inevitably ask themselves is “Should I buy new or used?” While it’s a relatively straightforward question, there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration when making the decision. Since buying a new home is typically the most expensive purchase someone will make in his or her lifetime, it’s important to find a home that not only meets your needs but lives up to your dreams. A used home was built to the original owner’s standards; it was built to make their dreams come true.
Cost is typically the first item that comes to mind for most homebuyers. Unfortunately, the number next to the listing frequently tells an incomplete story concerning the true cost of ownership, and used homebuyers can quickly find themselves with mounting expenses as their homes continue to age. This means that the new-to-you home is likely in need of an immediate roof replacement and a new air conditioning and heating unit. A used home is also more likely to have used or aging appliances, which are typically less energy efficient and may be nearing the end of their lives as well.
Buying a new home offers a far more predictable ownership experience. Because Dorn Homes offers a 10-year builder’s warranty, a new home comes with built-in peace of mind. While maintenance and upkeep is an unavoidable part of home ownership, buying new means that the big expensive repairs are likely years or decades away. New homes also mean new building techniques and materials that translate to real savings. The energy efficiency of new homes is a substantial improvement over homes built as recently as 5 years ago, let alone 25.
Those energy savings can actually provide more buying power, as savings of roughly $100 per month on utilities would allow you to afford an additionally $10,000 on a typical 30 year fixed mortgage (at today’s rates).
Costs aside, when you buy a used home you’re buying someone else’s dream. When you build a brand new home, you don’t have to compromise. You don’t have to have a conversation about whether you should settle for a tile backsplash you don’t like because the old owner thought it looked great with the new cabinets. Buying new with Dorn Homes means you’ll be involved throughout the entire design process. When you work with our Design Center team you can customize the look and feel of your brand new home. There’s no replacing carpet, painting walls, or putting up new blinds.
Building new or buying used affects more than just your bank account or the aesthetics of your home. It affects how you live your life. Architectural styles have changed drastically over the past few years. Modern floorplans feature wide-open living spaces that encourage social living while older homes are typically more constraining and isolating. This tends to be true of neighborhoods as well. As Master Planned Communities have become more popular, you’ll find more walking paths, neighborhood pools, and community centers in newly constructed neighborhoods than in older areas. This translates to a stronger community and more socialization among neighbors.
While social living may be good for your mental health, buying new is absolutely the best option for your physical health. Older homes are typically poorly sealed, meaning more dust and allergens in the air. Additionally, older homes are more likely to be made with building materials containing high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). At Dorn homes, we believe the air you breath should be free of dust, allergens, and harmful VOCs. That’s why we’ve pioneered The Organic Home, which combines Exclusive Building Science and state-of-the-art features to provide a safe and healthy indoor environment. Using whole home ventilation systems, low or no VOC materials, and healthy home building techniques, Dorn Homes has pioneered a holistic system to create The Organic Home. That’s something you won’t find in any used home.
If you’re in the market for a home, and are considering building your dream instead of buying someone else’s, speak to one of our Online Home Advisors or visit our models today.
