Your home is your future, a foundation for new memories to build upon: Why not build a home and make it yours from the start? A new Lennar home gives you the opportunity to build and design your dream home from the ground up. Learn more about the benefits of an new home in this The Kansas City Star article.
There are several advantages to buying or building a brand-new home, including enhanced safety features, more energy efficient materials and a range of customization options. If you are debating whether to purchase a pre-existing home or to build a new one, consider these factors:
New home buyers enjoy the ability to choose the finishes, fixtures, flooring, paint colors and more that suit their preferences, without the hassle or cost of changing the previous owner’s tastes.
New homes are safer, with electrical wiring systems that can accommodate “smart” appliances and components such as high-definition TVs, security systems, fire alarms, and complex lighting and audio setups.
Data from the Census Bureau’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey shows that even with increases in the number and the average size of homes plus increased use of electronics, improvements in efficiency for space heating, air conditioning and major appliances have all led to decreased energy consumption per household. Newer homes also feature better insulation and other characteristics, such as double-pane windows, that improve the building envelope.
The Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey shows that maintenance costs on average were 56 percent lower in new homes; $547 a year for all single-family homes versus $241 for homes built after 2008.
A brand-new community is one of the built-in benefits of many new homes. When families move in to a subdivision at the same time, they often form lasting bonds of friendship and neighborliness right away.
Popular amenities like pools, walking trails, and tennis and basketball courts are generally available in newer communities.
How much does it cost to build a new home?
There are a lot of variables that go into building a new home — from the square footage to the appliances and fixtures you choose. Depending on your budget, you can build a home costing anywhere from $250,000 to more than $1 million. The best thing to do is talk to your builder about what is available within your budget.
How do I find the right builder?
Though builders might generally use similar tools and materials when building homes, not all are alike when it comes to technique, training and customer service. Here are some things to consider when searching for a home builder:
Work Experience – Find a builder with extensive experience building homes similar to the one you want. Ask to see examples of floor plans and designs they have completed to ensure his or her company can deliver what you need.
References – Any high-quality builder should be ready to provide you with several names and phone numbers of satisfied customers. If they cannot, consider that a red flag and walk away. When reaching out to those former clients, ask about how well the builder followed through on the initial plans and if the builder met their expectations regarding budget and timing. Do not forget the most telling question of them all: If they could do it all over, would they hire that builder again?
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