Buy or Build? How to Determine the Best House for You

You have long sought to possess a house of your very own. Owning a home gives a person a sense of genuine freedom and independence. It is nice to own a place where you can make your dreams happen and build lasting memories. Your new home might even be the place where you start a family or where your next successful business idea is born.

When it comes to achieving such a goal, one of the first steps to consider is whether you want to buy or build your dream house. Whichever path you choose will come with pros and cons. The following are some factors to consider before making your final decision in the matter.

 

Image via Southern Living
Image via Southern Living

The Quick Purchase

One of the great things about buying a home is that you do not have to wait for it to be built. In many cases, if you are a motivated buyer, you will find that the duration from making an initial purchase offer to closing on a home can move rather quickly. A fast purchase leads to a fast move in time as well. In addition, people who buy rather than build do not have to worry about acquiring a building permit.

 

Image via Farmhouse Touches
Image via Farmhouse Touches

The Drawbacks of Buying a Preexisting Home

The various reasons why homebuyers prefer to build rather than purchase a preexisting home vary from individual to individual. You might worry that you will be stuck with someone else’s problem home: a home which harbors mold, faulty wiring or some other hidden repairs needing to be done to make the place more liveable. You might like the homes you find, but not where they are located. Alternatively, you may not be able to find a preexisting home with a floor plan that you truly love. A custom design may be more in line with what you are interested in purchasing.

 

Image via Revival Construction
Image via Revival Construction

Building a New Home

Building a new home will oftentimes involve the buyer’s input on multiple decisions. From pre-designed floor plans to custom alterations, the choices left up to a homebuyer are virtually endless. Additionally, there is something to be said about getting a house built the way you want it. Remember, you will likely be inhabiting your new home for many years to come, so you might as well have it built to your exact specifications. According to Eyeonhousing.org, the average time from acquiring a building permit to the final construction of the home is about seven months. Other factors may come into play, causing faster construction or longer delays in completion time.

 

Image via LuxeSource
Image via LuxeSource

Versatile Options

Many home builders also sell homes they have already designed and built. For example, Jack Fisher homes, a home builder with new homes for sale in St. George, provides homebuyers with the option to buy affordable, preexisting homes or have their home custom built in a growing, thriving community. You can also find lots of online design tools elsewhere to help you create your own custom layout. Furthermore, whether a homebuyer is looking to live in a gated community or wants a beautiful picturesque backyard view, there are numerous options at a buyer’s fingertips.

Buying or building a new home is a big step in a first-time homeowner’s life. You must weigh many factors to determine which option is right for your personal homebuying needs. From the location of the home to the design of the floor plan, knowing what you want for your money is a decision that should be made after considerable thought. Once the home is in your possession, this will be the place where your dreams will undoubtedly begin to take shape.

Author: Anica Oaks, freelance writer and web enthusiast