Which should you choose – an existing Tamaqua home or new construction?

Take a look at the pros and cons.

 

First, the initial price: Research on homeadvisor.com, Realtor.com, Zillow, and others tells us that nationwide, the average price of a newly constructed home in June 2018 was $316,500. The average for resale homes was $279,300. Reduced to price per square foot, new was $150 while resale was $123.

 

Of course, this varies depending upon location. The price of existing homes in Detroit averages $24, and in San Francisco, averages $810. New construction also varies widely, due to the difference in lot prices, permit fees, and labor costs.

 

Next, consider home maintenance and repairs: If you buy “used,” will that home need work in the immediate future?

• Does it need new flooring or paint before you move in?
• Will you want to remodel the kitchen or bath?
• How are the roof, the water heater, and the heating and air conditioning systems?

A newly constructed home will probably have a builder’s warranty to carry you through the first few years. And yes – you can purchase a home warranty for any house you buy, but like most insurance policies, those do come with deductibles.

 

New homes have older homes beat hands-down when it comes to energy efficiency:

One survey reported that homes built after 2000 consume 21% less energy than older homes. This seems to be true for the house itself and for the appliances.

 

On the flip side of that – older homes might have mature landscaping and shade trees. Shade trees, according to the U.S. Forest service, can cut air conditioning costs by 56%.

 

If you build new, you can install “smart” features as part of the construction.

For instance, you might choose the new “Learning Thermostat,” which can be controlled by a smartphone and programmed to adjust the home’s temperature to coordinate with your daily routines. Its sensors track when a home is empty and adjust accordingly. Promoters say it can save on heating and cooling bills by up to 20%.

 

If you’re worried about security, you can have monitors and cameras installed during the build, and have your electrical system constructed to use a smartphone app to control your home's lighting, temperature, and even the position of window shades.

 

Back to the landscaping:

If you love having a beautiful yard, an established home might be best for you. It does take several years and / or big dollars to create a beautifully landscaped yard.

 

A new home allows you many choices, which may or may not be a good thing.

When you buy an existing home, you’re stuck with the layout, and you’ll decide how to use each of the rooms in the house.

 

When you build new, your first task will be to choose the floor plan. Do you want a big, eat-in kitchen, or an efficiency kitchen? Do you want the master bedroom at the other end of the house from the kids/guests rooms? Do you need extra rooms such as an office, studio, or TV room?

 

Then there are the finishes – you’ll choose both style and color for floor coverings, counter tops, and wall treatments. What kind of windows and doors do you want?

 

What about fixtures and appliances? Will a standard shower be fine, or do you want a new one with shower heads all around you?

 

Be careful. It’s easy to get carried away and destroy your budget. If you cook and bake from scratch, adding a pantry is a good idea. If you drink wine only occasionally, adding a wine cellar or even cabinet space dedicated to wine bottles is a poor idea.

 

If you and those who will share your home can easily come to agreement, making these choices can be fun. If not,  the choices can lead to unwanted stress.

 

Whether you’re looking for an existing Tamaqua home or want a new one, I’ll be glad to help. I’ll be happy to show you what’s on the market today, including the builder models for new homes. If you want to start from scratch and design your own home, I’ll help you find a suitable building lot.

 

Call today and let’s get started!