A joyful journey for new-home buyers
A home purchase represents one of the largest transactions, one of the most significant decisions and one of the most profound experiences of many people’s lives. And by seriously considering new construction, the experience can, on balance, be joyful, fun and enlightening rather than baffling, surprising and exhausting.
By considering new construction in the home-hunting process, buyers can discover the difference between purchasing “a” home and purchasing “the” home. In doing so, they can unravel or even eliminate many of the mysteries and complexities of homebuying.
A new-home purchase gives a buyer a greater degree of control in everything from timing and lot choice to home plan, interior finishes, financing and even homeowners insurance. But how can a buyer know when it is the right time to get serious about new construction?
Start by analyzing your personal circumstances and plans for the next 10 to 15 years. Do you hope to stay in Northern California for a while? It’s a known fact that homeownership here comes with good assurance of a smart investment. We not only have beautiful landscapes, thriving cities, cultural diversity and charming, historic downtowns, but an unmatched spirit of innovation.
Next, anyone who’s considering a move has reasons why the current home no longer works for them. Maybe it is too small and cramped or too big and difficult to manage. Perhaps it needs a bedroom suite on the main level but the lot size or other restrictions prohibit such a change. Perhaps major renovations and upgrades necessary to make it more livable would take too long.
With new construction, you can skip the renovations. For the first decade or more, normal maintenance and upkeep will keep the home feeling pristine. To narrow your new-home community search, make lists of what’s not working in the current home and of what’s needed in the new home.
Other factors may inspire the need to consider building. Are you a first-time buyer who’s ready to put monthly payments toward equity, not rent? Or perhaps the issue is that too many generations share space in a home that doesn’t afford anyone the privacy and independence they need?
In both of those cases, new construction is a smart move. Ownership means saving money each time you make a payment and living on your terms, not your landlord’s. And ownership of a new home means you’re covered by fit-and-finish warranties in addition to other builder-provided warranties that eliminate the worry factor.
Likewise, new-home communities are designed for much more than placing a roof over each owner’s head. Many include a range of offerings that buyers can take advantage of either right in the communities themselves or within a few miles. Masterplanned communities may include plans for new schools, recreational facilities, walking paths, community centers with pools and sports courts and other amenities for people of all ages.
Some new-home communities are designed to serve multiple generations and may include single-family detached homes as well as townhomes. Others offer buyers the option of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with the purchase of the home. The ADU may be attached to the main home or built at a later date on the property, allowing flexibility to offer independence to older or younger family members.
Builders also can offer incentives, discounts and promotions that typically aren’t available with resale homes. Ask each builder about special prices for inventory or move-in-ready homes; upgraded design features; or assistance with lending and closing costs.
From now through move-in day, choosing new construction isn’t just about building the ideal house to enjoy for decades. It’s about enjoying the journey. It’s about getting to bring realistic dreams to life while choosing details about a specific house built for you.