When it comes to looking for your next place to live, it may seem like there are too many options and choices to even know where to begin. Are you going through a new life event, like a marriage, and are moving out of your parent’s house? Are you adding a little one to your family and need more room to grow? Are you going to be an empty-nester soon and are looking for your ultimate retirement location? No matter the circumstance, the first question you will have to ask yourself is if you want to buy new or used? Both options have their pros and cons and it will ultimately come down to what fits your lifestyle. However, after weighing the options, there seems to be a pretty good case for buying a new home. Let’s chat through 10 Reasons To Buy a New Home and start this journey together.
1. No one else has lived there before you. This is an obvious one but not everyone takes it into consideration. You are going to be the first person or family living in that house. You won’t have to worry if the previous owner was a smoker, had pets, or didn’t take care of their residence the way that you will. It is a blank slate with your name on it.
2. Builder’s Warranty. Builders in Ontario are mandated to provide a warranty on new homes that include one and two year warranties for certain defects in work and materials, and a seven year warranty for major structural defects. The amount of coverage available is different depending on if it’s a freehold home or a condominium. Either way, you qualify for a little extra help in case something unexpected breaks down in those first few years.
3. Energy efficiency. New homes come with energy efficient appliances, fixtures and with a better way of building. This includes wall and roof assemblies, insulation, air/vapour retarders, windows, weatherstripping and caulking, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems. What this means for you, is that you will save money in both the short and long term through utility payments and potential energy tax rebates.
4. Modern conveniences. Our way of living and the level of comfort we expect has changed throughout the years. Gone are the days of wanting our homes to be heated and fueled by a wood burning oven, unless you are making a delicious pizza. We want our dishwashers and laundry machines to clean the things we no longer have time or interest to. Some of us rely on microwave meals while others cook for their families using induction stovetops. With new homes, most of these items come standard and in their stainless steel option, increasing visual appeal and ease of cleaning.
5. Safety first. Not everything that was deemed safe in the past turned out to be as harmless as once thought. When it comes to homes, this includes the use of lead paint, asbestos, and design features that could cause a bit of a disaster if you’re not careful. The great thing about the current Builder’s Code is that new homes won’t have these issues to worry about, and therefore you won’t have to spend unnecessary money updating these features to create a safe space for your family. Some new homes even come with a security system including cameras and an alarm that is Wifi enabled that you can set and check from your cellphone.
6. Renovating isn’t for everyone. You’ve all heard the phrase “it’s a bit of a fixer-upper” but for some people, that idea makes their skin crawl. If you’ve got the time, money, patience and skill to tear down and rebuild, then all the power to you. When you buy a new home, you can let your imagination run wild with the updates you “want” to do versus what you “have” to do. Want to change up the kitchen? In a new home, you’re not tackling this project because it’s outdated with cabinet doors falling off their hinges. You are adding a backsplash, a new coat of paint, or a storage system to help you sort through your spice cupboard. These changes are less expensive and are more about your creativity, personality and customization versus solving a problem area.
7. Things break. Are you the type of person to run your car into the ground, just to take it to the mechanic to hear that “they don’t make that part anymore?” With older homes, you are more likely to run into that problem and may end up having to replace the entire item. In new homes, pieces are made to a certain standard and are sometimes even interchangeable so it’s not specific to that appliance only. This provides a large cost savings since you will have less immediate expenses for things you need to fix.
8. Modern layout. What’s one of the first things you notice when you walk into someone’s home for the first time? If you’re like me, it’s how light and open the front space is. New homes have big windows, allowing for beautiful, natural light, an open concept design where rooms are not usually separated by walls or have half walls, appliances where you need them (like a laundry room on the second floor), and ensuites. Just like the point about modern conveniences, builders adapt to the way the modern family lives and operates and have made changes accordingly.
9. Your free time is yours. There are some people whose hobbies include working on their home and constantly updating their living spaces, but most people enjoy spending their free time on activities that bring them joy. When your home needs work, you are faced with it everyday. Working on a painting? That wall needs a fresh coat itself. Trying out a new recipe? Prep would be easier with a non-rickety kitchen island. New homes are new, meaning not run down and worn out. Not having to fix and rebuild things that came with your purchase means more time doing the things you love.
10. Less expensive. When purchasing a new home, chances are that it’s in a newer, less established neighbourhood. Houses haven’t appreciated yet and the area is less developed. There may not be extensive landscaping or parks built in the area, just plans for future development. Therefore you are reaping the benefits of “growing with the community” instead of joining a mature one. New homes usually come with unfinished basements that haven’t already been designed to the previous owner’s wants so you are not paying for something that wasn’t in your plan.
These ten reasons showcase why you should consider purchasing a new home. It’s less expensive, more suited to the modern family, and move-in ready. Want to see what’s on the market? Let’s chat and help you make your next move.
