Building New or Remodeling Your Current Home? READ THIS FIRST

We all like NEW!

Upgrades are a good thing but only if they are consistent with keeping your home valued with the current market rate.

First, maintenance and upkeep are different than upgrades.  Fixing things that are failing, broken or worn out are just part of home ownership. Upkeep maintains value and if your home is not properly maintained, you may see a decrease your value over time.  Also, if all the homes in your neighborhood are starting to remodel with updated fixtures, countertops, paint and flooring, you should consider doing the same.

Have a licensed agent who knows your area consult with you prior to putting in some hefty upgrades. You may decide to re-think some of them. Here's why:

• Unless you plan to stay in your home forever, consider your major upgrades before you do them as most upgrades do not get back what you put into them if you decide to sell.
• Know what the current market value is for your home.  If you put in upgrades that you feel bump your value up way over what the neighborhood can bear, understand that you most likely will not see this investment returned.
• Realize that situations do change in our lives and what we planned on doing may very well have to change quickly. Long term investments should be carefully considered.  

After all, even if your home is listed at your desired price and receives an offer, if it doesn't appraise we will be re-visiting the price at some point.  Even if a cash offer came in, most buyers are savvy and would still not desire to pay way over market value in any neighborhood.

Are you planning a move within the next five years?  Now is the time to call for a consultation. Having your "ducks in a row" will keep you on track!

Read more:
Tips for buying NEW construction homes

Is it a good idea to buy a new construction home?

Five reasons to buy a new build home

Like most of the real estate industry, there’s been major growth in new home construction. Here are five reasons to consider building a brand new home.

• Design your dream home 
• When you’re in on the home building process from the very start, you get to pick the floor plan that ‘s perfect for you and your family. It’s the best way to get the exact home you want.
• Save on energy costs
• While older homes can have inefficient heating, cooling, insulation, and appliances, new homes are typically built for energy efficiency from the very start. Your utility bills could be dramatically lower.
• Community amenities
• If your new home is part of a planned community, you can take advantage of amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, and other recreation areas that might not be available otherwise.
• Fewer worries, fewer surprises
• With a new build, it’s less likely that you’ll run into maintenance and repair issues compared to what you might experience with an existing home.
• Enjoy it from the start
• No need to endure the frustration that might come with a fixer-upper. With a new home, you can enjoy your new space the day you move in.

Click HERE to read more about New Construction homes?

Looking for reasons to think twice before choosing to build a brand new home? 

Want to search for new homes? Visit this LINK to search.

Here are some additional Tips for Buying New Construction.

Tips for buying NEW construction homes

Five things you should consider when choosing new construction over an existing home.

Unless you have an individual lot and hired a custom builder that will build-to-suit on your lot, most new homes are built in developments with a collective style. These developments can be as small as a cul-de-sac, or as massive as a former farm field filled with acres of new roads and new homes.
Often new construction homes are more expensive than resale homes of a similar size. They are built to the latest codes and standards, they tend to be contemporary styled and energy efficient. Sometimes, these types of developments can represent a savings over established developments with existing homes.
Either way, the decision between a new development and an established community is worth taking time to consider.

Here are some ways to make sure the new house you're buying is really the house you want:

• Check the builder's track record. What else has the company built? Were previous projects completed on time, on budget and without bad blood between the builder and buyers?
• Walk the streets. If you live nearby and previous stages of the development are occupied, ask the residents if the builder did quality work and lived up to contractual commitments.
• Picture your home, not the model home. You can certainly have the granite counters, surround-sound home theater and jetted tub you saw in the model home, but they're not included in the base price. You will pay extra for them.
• Bring your own agent. If the builder has a real estate agent on site, the agent will be more than happy to help you. But, on-site agents work for the builders who hire them. Their best interests will be for the builder, not you.
• Finally, consider the intangibles. Similarly styled homes attract like-minded buyers, and most developments are built with families in mind however other communities may be designed for retirement. Depending on your point of view, the consistency, conformity and neighbors can be a blessing or a curse.

Start your search for a new home here: www.CallSarahFirst.com

Ready to get more information about building a new home? Try these resources:
Articles about Building a New Home
Interview and Find the Right Agent to Help you with New Construction
Choosing between Production Builders and Custom Builders