“My wife and I want to sell our 2-bedroom Mission Valley condo and buy a house in north county. She keeps talking about new construction, but I think a resale home is smarter. Which do you think is suggest?”
***ANSWER:
It depends. Buying a brand-new home can be exciting and complicated. Here are some pros & cons, many that you probably never even thought of.
New Home Advantages:
– You often can choose your lot
– You choose colors, flooring, appliances, counters, cabinets, and floorplan options
– Everything is brand-spanking-new when you move in
– Some builders offer special incentives or financing
New Home Drawbacks:
– You may have to wait many months for the home to be built, and new construction often goes way over schedule
– Most new homes are far from central San Diego, leading to a traffic-filled commute to work and activities
– Traffic patterns and other negatives may not reveal themselves until after youve moved in
– BIG: Cost of upgrades and landscaping are often vastly underestimated
Resale Home Advantages:
– You see the actual home youre buying
not a spiffed up model with $100,000’s in upgrades and fancy furniture that you dont get
– Decor, appliances, and landscaping are already there, saving you a bundle of cash
– You can tell what the neighbors, area, and traffic will be like
Resale Home Disadvantages…
– The owner’s tastes may not be yours (or any normal persons), so you may need to do some work
– The home may need repair
BIG TIP: If youre considering a new home development, ask people whove moved into earlier phases if theyre happy and what problems they may be having.
Find Your San Diego Home
