Tuesday, February 25, 2025 / by Monica Bishop
New Construction or Re-sale?

Should you buy a new construction home or a re-sale property?
After working for home builders for 10 years and owning a re-sale home, my opinion is, buy new if you can. A re-sale may be a better fit if you have a specific need such as a mother-in-law suite or location, such as a specific school district.
Most of the time, cost is the driving factor when deciding on a home. When the market changes, builders are quick to react. Sellers don’t realize that the market has changed, and their home is now worth less than it was just a few months ago. “My neighbor sold for $100,000 more last year!” Having an agent that knows market value is a great negotiating tool. Builders will have more inventory than what you see online so, if they aren’t making sales, they are willing to work with buyers. I can negotiate on your behalf and get you a better deal.
Re-sales are traditionally a lower price, making them more attractive at first glance. Then you have the home inspection, like a first date you get to know it a little better. You find out that it has a lot of hidden issues, it’s higher maintenance than what you expected. You have to ask yourself, “is this something I can work on myself, or will I have to seek professional help?” Don’t forget a home warranty, homeowners' insurance & utility expenses. How much is that cute, little re-sale really going to cost you? A new construction home may be a better value.