When families, or individuals, first begin to think about purchasing a home, the question often arises as to whether they should buy a previously owned house, and then add a few personal touches, or whether they should hire a custom home building company to help them design their own. There are benefits and downfalls to both, making it a tough choice.

Buying

Buying a new home has certain conveniences that many people appreciate, like the fact that everything is already done. For example, the washer hook up is already in place, the walls are already insulated and the bathroom is all ready to be used. This saves the hassle, and possible conflict of making major decisions, which can be a huge relief for individuals that are a bit indecisive. Buying a home means that buyers can move in sooner, and they may save money in the long run, depending on the house.

The same things that are positives have the potential to turn into negatives. It may be nice that the washer hook up is already in its designated spot, but what if it is in the kitchen and buyers would prefer it in the bathroom. This is a small adjustment, but when a buyer is not satisfied with the minor things, it can all build up over time. Also, the bathroom may already be ready to be used, but how old are the pipes?

The pipes, furnace, central air system and the very foundation of all previously owned homes have been in use for several years when the building is purchased, and they may need replaced sooner than buyers are prepared for. A used furnace is more likely to need repaired than a brand new one, and the same rule applies to everything in the house.

Building

Working with a professional home builder can be fun and exciting. Every room will be the exact size that the buyer wants or needs, buyers will be able to have an energy-efficient home, and the ability to personalize every space guarantees that custom homes will have more personality. Even the floors will be perfect, whether they are hardwood, tile or carpet.

Vital components of new homes, such as the furnace, will have less wear and tear, costing first time buyers less money in the long run, and less hassle. Last, a professional home builder will make sure that everything is exactly how the buyer wants it, eliminating the need for renovations, and the stress that can come with each new project.

Building a house can be stressful for buyers that are unsure of what they want. Are open spaces better or closed off rooms? Where should the washer hook up go? Qualified home builders with enough experience can help make some of these decisions a little bit easier.

The only other downside to custom-built homes is that it may be more expensive when looking at the short-term cost. Brand new furnaces are not cheap. On the other hand, most buyers will wind up with a brand new furnace if they purchase an older (cheaper) house in the long run anyway.

All in all, it boils down to whether buyers would like to spend a little bit more money when first buying a home for a brand new home that has been designed to meet their needs, or whether home owners would like to spend more money in the long run as renovations take place and things, like the furnace, need replaced. Taking the time and money to hire an experienced home builder can save families years’ worth of stress and hassle.