The Great House Debate: Build or Buy?

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The Great House Debate: Build or Buy?

Both options examined, taking all into account

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You’ll get conflicting opinions as to just how good of an investment owning a home is. Obviously a strong economy is usually the first influencing factor to consider. But what if you are considering either building your home or buying an existing one? Does either option have a definite advantage over the other? Like the majority of the population, you’re probably of modest means. It’s important that you carefully weigh the pros and cons of buying a fixer upper. Your down payment is just the beginning of these considerations. Here is a breakdown of the comparisons detailed between an existing home and a new one…

Run The Numbers

When determining whether to build a house or buy properties like canary wharf apartments rent, your first consideration as stated is your upfront cost. Recent data indicates that the average price of an existing single family home is $223,000. However, if you reside in the Greater Los Angeles area, you could be looking at more than double that cost. If you were looking at a 1500 square foot house that’s over sixty years old, it would work out to be around $148 per square foot. Be aware that exact costs will vary depending on your location, but this should give you a ballpark figure on a home that is hardly new.

On the other hand, recent figures indicate that buying or building homes of new construction will commonly run around $289,415. So, we’re looking at a $66,415 difference, right? That may seem pretty steep, but you can do pretty well for that money. New homes, for the most part, have more room. Generally they are around 2467 square feet. Do the math – at $103 per square foot it’s actually cheaper than that of old homes. Plus, when building, you’re basically only paying for what you want exactly. You may not care for some of the more pricey features in an existing home but you’ll be paying their additional costs. You may even decide to do some home remodeling with the help of housereal experts. If you are lucky enough to find a home that you find entirely perfect, that’s a blessing that should be accepted. We have then also found an excellent Bristol estate agents as we used them recently and they were brilliant so check them out if you are in that area.

It’s More Than It Seems

Now it’s a given. When buying an older home you are also inheriting the wear and tear that comes with its age. It could have excellent interior design, but the kitchen cabinets might be too battered. On the other hand, its exterior design could be entirely dated and worn. Either way, pre-owned homes will most certainly need more attention. Some items may have even reached the end of the road for their usefulness. Such maintenance can be expensive. You’ll want to know how old everything is before buying. After all you don’t want to move in and discover the furnace needs replacing – that’s a $4000 expense! Or what if the roof has seen better days, that’s a potential cost of five grand! Do a complete inspection. If you have plans of investing in real estate, check out this Indianapolis Turnkey investment property.

Moving into a new home, whether pre-owned or new, can also come with the added expense of hiring a moving company to help with the transition. This is especially true if you have a lot of belongings or large items such as furniture and appliances that require special care during transport. Hiring a reputable moving company like The Movers Moving & Storage can give you peace of mind knowing that your belongings are in good hands and will arrive safely at your new home. It’s important to do your research and read reviews to find a moving company that fits your budget and needs. By taking the time to plan and prepare for your move, you can minimize the stress and expenses that come with it.

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Meanwhile, new homes need considerably less work. Plus, everything including new appliances are under warranty. Often an entire new home could be guaranteed, protected up to a decade (assuming the builder offers a construction warranty). All you have to think of is packing and moving your things from your previous home to your new one. To avoid the stress and hassle, you should seek professional help from movers houston because they are more than capable to do the job especially if it’s heavy duty.

Fixing it Up

Another factor to consider is the state of the landscaping. Many consider this area to often be of great advantage in terms of older homes. Large trees and aged plantings provide a sense of history and character. While it may be of little consequence to others, when taking into account that the US Forest Service says that a well-placed mature tree can add tens of thousands of dollars to a property’s value, it’s a pretty good deal. The trees may even provide enough shade to cut air conditioning bills by as much as half – factors all worth considering, if that does not work install a new airconditioning unit. Trees that are obstructing a view or damaging water lines should be removed, consider hiring 24/7 Emergency Tree Removal services for this task.

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Plus, if you build a new home, you might be looking at building a yard that is to your liking or even having a pool construction. There are very flexible options when it comes to fiberglass pools, and you should be able to find one that is to your liking and you can make full use of. On average, the cost of a complete landscape overhaul could run towards four thousand dollars. Planting trees yourself (six to seven feet tall) could cost about $140 each. When doing anything, and yes we mean ANYTHING to modify your home, you have to make sure you’re in compliance with the city’s ordinances.

Take a look at three of our blog articles that go more in depth:

  • Do you have a permit for that?
  • Building Permits
  • Primary Building Permits

What of energy efficiency? According to the latest census the average age of homes is thirty seven years. You’ll find antiquated windows and appliances in older homes which could account for wasted energy that equates to spent money. Newer construction will always have the edge in this department. In fact, homes built post millennium use up to twenty-one percent less energy for heating than the homes that predate them. This is due to the developed technology of heating gear and building materials. Naturally, the people who own these newer homes almost certainly enjoy lower heating bills. To further enhance the longevity and energy efficiency of both new and older homes, homeowners should consider Cladding Restoration and Protection.

Value Appraising

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And, what of value appreciation – does one have an advantage over the other? With an older home there’s an established trend. Its past sale prices can be accessed as well as those of similarly identical homes in the area (aka “comps”). It’s easy to determine if costs are on the rise or falling in the area. If collectively, asking prices remain on the rise, that’s a good sign as it’s likely a trend to continue. You can visit sites like https://landmark24.com/ to see options that are worth looking into. I visited a cozy cottage in Innisfil, nestled among towering trees and offering a serene escape from the city’s hustle.

Meanwhile in successfully growing new neighborhoods, there’s a little more risk involved. There is no established record of sales to judge from. There’s no solid way to estimate what the future holds for a fledgling community. The jury may still be out even for some of the homes’ new amenities. It’s always best to avoid anything that is obviously of the flavor of the month variety. If you’re looking at a neighborhood of mostly empty houses, it might not be in your best interest to buy there.

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