New home or resale? Here are 5 things to consider.

Whether buying new or resale homes, choices abound in todays home buying market. Buying a newly constructed home may be top of mind as many factors come into play. One reason buyers go the new home route is that they are given plenty of choices and options in the level of customization of their home. These options may range from being able to choose color schemes, upgrades like trim moldings, kitchens finishings, selection of flooring options throughout the home, home automation and more.

Among other factors that home buyers should think about when purchasing a new home vs. a resale home are:

Buyers input:

New home buyers have plenty of choices in features and amenities. New home buyers can have their builder add their personal touches that satisfy their personality, personal tastes and needs. Being able to choose homes fixtures, carpet type and colors, wall covering designs, countertop finishings among other things, gives greater flexibility and control for a home buyer who is looking to build their home, their way.

No home repair cost:

This is a significant factor when buying new. Home repairs on a new home are kept at a minimum. And even if repairs are needed, todays builders include warranties for certain period of time. Most builders cover home repairs for the first year you live in the new place. In addition, many builders offer complete warranties covering both inside and outside the house. Resale homes in other hand, can offer warranties, but often are limited in the items it covers. Many times these warranties need to be purchased separately by the buyer. In the case of new homes, the extended warranties provided by new home builders can give the buyer peace of mind when it comes to potential home repairs and maintenance.

Home automation:

Home automation also makes buying a new home that much more appealing. In the case of a resale home, implementing todays new technologies may be cumbersome and not necessarily cost effective. Since more and more builders are integrating new technologies on new home designs, the costs savings can be dramatic. Technologies such as wireless internet access, intercom systems, and surround sound are just some of the aspects of new home technologies that can be expected in the todays new home designs.

Home construction considerations:

Materials found in older homes can be hazardous to your health. From lead-based paint to asbestos insulation, the materials found in resale houses can be costly replace, many times impossible to replace. New homes are subject to more stringent building codes and safety requirements than what older homes have. In addition, materials used in new construction, asbestos and lead have been eliminated. This in turn benefits the new homebuyers and their families from hazardous materials or unsafe environments. Then there is less risk of fire in today’s new home construction. Wiring systems have improved as well. In addition, most of todays new homes have hard-wired smoke detectors with battery-powered backup.

Energy efficiency:

As home buyer become more conscious of the environment, having a home that is energy efficient, has become an important factor when buying new. The appliances available today are far more energy efficient than they were 10 years ago. Energy efficient solutions found in today new homes can help greatly reduce overall energy cost. This in turn helps to save in utility bills. Improved heating and cooling systems and better insulation techniques in new constructions offer greater efficiency than older homes. This can in turn offset the cost of a new home.

New home buyers after having considered all the hidden costs of resale homes, may actually save money by buying new. The level of customization, home automation, energy efficiency and construction durability as well as safety, are among the many benefits that buying a new home would bring.

Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


Building a dream house is not an easy task. For one, you need someone who is patient enough and understanding enough to explain the processes of building a house — what to expect during and after — and the budget that you need every step of the way. You also need someone who is affordable enough for your needs and your pocket. With these requirements, why don’t you consider the services of new home builders? The new breed of dream home builders has the talent and the skills to build your dream house, less the cost of long-established custom home builders.

A respected new home builder

Enfield Homes is a newcomer in the homebuilding industry having been set up only a little over five years ago. This new home builder was set up by Glen Screws as a subsidiary of the Glen Screws Builders. The newness of the company, however, does not discount from its capability to build superior quality homes. Enfield Homes took it as a mission to build homes that will exceed the clients expectations. That driving force assures you of professionalism and reliability from every Enfield Homes project.

New, but not a neophyte

The company produces on the average about twelve homes each year. Price tags range from half a million dollars up to two million. Each custom home bears the distinctive Enfield excellent quality and superior craftsmanship. Whether it is a family residential, condominium, or commercial project, every Enfield Homes project is recognized in premier residential development in Greater Austin. That is because each project is assured of Glen Screws leadership of the Enfield team of professional administrators and builders.

Looking at Enfield Homes array of projects will give a more in-depth insight of this new home builders track record. There is the Fish Pond Village, the Pecan Village, Dominion Park, Haley-Drake Business Centre, and Castlegate. You can view them at the Enfield Homes website together with other samples from the Glen Screws Builders portfolio. Youll see the consistency in the units quality design and construction.

Enfield Homes prides itself in its distinctive construction style and the continuing relationship with the clients as two of the more important reasons to choose them over other builders. As client, you get not only the assurance of quality, the adherence to your specifications, but more importantly the after-turnover support. Their office is at 4407 Bee Cave Road, Suite 511, Austin, Texas.