Should you build a home or buy one?

It’s a conundrum often confronted by homebuyers: “Should we buy or should we build?” For first-time homebuyers, this question can be even more daunting. Whether you’re in the market for your first home or preparing to live in your third, here are the pros and cons for both options.

UPKEEP & MAINTENANCE

One of the biggest reasons why homeowners consider building new versus purchasing an existing home is the difference in upkeep and maintenance. Older homes most often require more initial upkeep. After all, they’ve been lived in; they’ve seen their share of wear and tear. If you choose to purchase an older home, you’ll likely have to dip back into your pockets to replace the roof or buy new appliances sooner than you would with new construction.

With new construction, builders like Carolina Cottage Company will often provide homeowners with a construction warranty for their new home. The length of the warranty varies from builder to builder (We offer a ten-year structural warranty).

SIZE & EXPENSE

When compared to existing homes, newly constructed homes are often more spacious. Depending on the decade, many existing homes don’t feature an open floor plan—a must-have for many homeowners.

An added benefit of new construction? Paying only for what you want. Buying an existing home can often mean paying for features, like hardwood floors or a finished basement, that aren’t on your must-have list.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Older construction usually means wasted energy thanks to older windows and older appliances. In fact, homes built after 2000 consume an average of 21% less energy for heating than older homes, which can translate to lower energy bills.

Carolina Cottage Company homes are constructed using the Advanced Energy/System Vision Guidelines which means our homes are greener and more energy efficient.

CUSTOMIZATION

The ability to customize each and every detail of your home while it’s being built from the ground up is one of the biggest reasons homeowners choose to build instead of buying an existing home. From the countertop material and backsplash in your kitchen to the light fixtures and floor, everything will be customized to your taste when you build a new home.

On the other hand, an existing home reduces the number of choices you have to make during the homebuying process, which can feel overwhelming to some homeowners.