WHY NEW
New homes are designed for today’s needs and todays living. Let’s face it, the days of tiny galley kitchens looking out on cement driveways are gone. Today’s families demand function with form. Open plans with fantastic multi-use islands and counters are perfect for day to day living and family gatherings. Backyard vistas are now an essential part of almost every room in the house. Gone are seldom used formal spaces making room for expansive flex-functioning great rooms and in-home work space. Master suites have transformed into an oasis within the home where owners can relax and recharge. And no more storing clothes around the house. New home closets are roomy and more efficient.
Built with today’s precise construction standards, new home quality control is at an all-time high. New homes go through rigorous tests to meet state, local and company standards every step of the construction process.
With the latest in green technology, the very basic minimum industry standards make home energy needs less than half what they were decades ago, translating into lower energy bills and lower costs of ownership.
New homes also meet the latest in state and local codes, making for a safer and more reliable home. One which can withstand inclement weather translating into greatly reduced insurance costs.
When you buy a used home you also buy someone else’s style, colors and design. Not with new. It’s all yours and all you! And with used homes, you also buy someone else’s problems. From that cabinet door that’s warped and sticks, to that stained vanity in the half bath, older homes come with issues…and some of them hidden. New homes come with warranties… and peace of mind.
From design to function, technology to reliability. With new homes, you really can have it all.
Why Buy New?
|
New Home |
VS. |
Used Home |
|
Constructed to most recent building, wind, and energy codes; may lead to homeowner's insurance savings |
VS. |
May incur high energy bills and lack resistance to high winds |
|
Never lived in prior to your purchase |
VS. |
Usually, do not know what has occurred in house previously |
|
You are able to choose from a number of modern, material selections and options |
VS. |
Your only option is what someone else is selling and may be outdated style |
|
New home smell |
VS. |
Unknown odors |
|
Locally administered Builder Warranty and various Manufacturer Warranties are included in purchase price. |
VS. |
No warranty or limited warranty from a company that is distant from situation. This can lead to large unexpected, out-of-pocket expenses |
|
Includes many of the latest material improvement and technologies |
VS. |
Depends on age but usually older, dated technology and materials |
|
Modern, up-to-date floor plan layouts that reflect our most recent market research |
VS. |
Often floor plans that are obsolete or less modern |
|
VS. |
May have limited financing options due to condition of house |
|
|
Timing of closing often very predictable and closing process is streamlined |
VS. |
Timing of closing may be very unpredictable; especially, with ‘short sales’ and bank owned properties |
|
Seller (Adams Homes) is an establish business in the community |
VS. |
Seller is often someone you will never hear from again |
|
Low maintenance and repair requirements |
VS. |
With age comes more maintenance (depreciation) |
In addition, Foreclosure Issues
1) Previous owner neglect and damage: Often owners that are in foreclosure do not properly maintain the house and may even intentionally damage or ‘strip’ the house before vacating.
2) Mold: Be cautious of mold issues, especially in humid climates. Often, previous owners or banks will not keep electrical power on and therefore, the air conditioning will not be running; this may lead to mold issues.
3) ‘As Is’ contracts: Banks will usually sell properties with an ‘As Is’ contract which will usually provide for no recourse for the buyer even when title defects arise. This could include the possibility of an inappropriate foreclosure (example: ‘robo-signing’), which may lead to a title issue.
4) Regret: In search of a ‘good deal,’ don’t settle for a home you will later regret. Often, the difference in price translates to only a small amount in your monthly mortgage payment, say $75/month.
There are many benefits to buying Florida new homes over older homes that are on the market: you get a warranty, today’s building codes are more structurally sound and you get to pick the interior selections of your new home. But, did you know that new homes can also help you save money? According to a NAHB Eye of Housing article, new homes are less expensive to maintain.
The article references an American Housing Survey with findings that showed 26 percent of all homeowners spend $100 a month or more on home maintenance expenses while only 11 percent of new homeowners spend that much. In fact, 73 percent of new homeowners spend $25 or less a month on repairs according to the article.
It doesn’t stop with home maintenance either: the same holds true for energy efficiency. Today’s homes are built to be more energy efficient than homes built just 5 years ago. Homeowners spend 78 cents per square foot a year on electricity while new homeowners spend just 65 cents per square foot annually. Also, owners of homes with piped gas average 53 cents per square foot annually, and new homeowners spend 38 cents per square foot a year.
The Home Energy Rating System: HERS® Index
The HERS® Index (Home Energy Rating System) is an index developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to measure the energy efficiency of a home. The scale is based on the standards of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, by which the HERS Reference Home would score a base of 100. The lower the HERS Index score, the more energy efficient the home. A typical existing/resale home score is around 130. Most new homes score between 90 and 60 – making them more energy efficient than an existing/resale home and other typical new homes on the market – even those that meet energy-efficiency standards.
