Buyer Topics - New Builds

New Builds – What you Should know

New builds are a common part of real estate inventory in the market, it seems more right now than before. Buying a new build has a lot of perks to consider. If you are a buyer, and the inventory in your area is tight, which the likelihood of such is high, a new build may be the most affordable and convenient move for you to make! It’s important to remember that the agents in the offices of new builds work for the builder. If you have a realtor, always be sure to have them register you and never visit the leasing office without them, or your realtor cannot be a part of the transaction.

The first perk of buying a new build is just that – they are brand new, no negotiating repairs with a seller before closing, no updating needed, and no need to be conscious of chemicals, asbestos, lead paint, or kitec pipes. Depending on how old a home is and the development it is in, those things are still to be considered. New builds are modern and follow updated safety practices with toxic chemicals, as well as energy-efficient appliances, up to date plumbing and electrical systems, and smart home features. All of these perks allow for a seamless and worry-free move-in! Energy efficiency is a focus of most new home developments popping up around. Smart appliances and modern HVAC systems as well as double-pane windows and brand-new insulation can potentially aid in lower energy bills each month!

With new builds, a great thing about them is that you have the option to upgrade certain things. Each development has different packages, but the most common customizations you can choose from are your layout, cabinets, finishes, paint colors, counter-tops, flooring, and much more. Every customization and upgrade for the house you choose is complete before you even move in! It’s a real time saver while you go through the process of preparing to move and saves you time on renovations or upgrades after settling into your new home. Once your transaction is complete, you can fully move in without having to wait for anything to be completed!

Along with modern energy saving technology, customization, and the freshness of new builds, you have several choices on what type of community you want to move into. From senior living to townhouses, there are several options to choose from when looking into a new construction. There are master-planned communities which have a mix of families, retirees, shopping centers, schools, and shopping. An example of this in Reno is Damonte Ranch, which spreads vastly across the South side of town with multiple schools, churches, and shopping centers. You never have to leave the area!

There are smaller sectors of new build subdivisions which offer a multitude of developments to choose from based on your lifestyle wants and needs. There are new build communities with family oriented living with a lot of parks and schools, wellness communities close to trails and gyms, energy efficient communities with solar panels and charging stations for EV’s, luxury gated neighborhoods, senior living for 55+ which are typically one-story or have a multi-gen space attached, townhouse developments for investors or those looking for low maintenance living, and mixed-use with a crossover of commercial properties and walkable amenities. All of these communities offer different amenities, another thing you get to choose to best suit you when buying a new build.

A huge perk of new builds in our low inventory market is builder incentives. For first-time home buyers, there’s a huge advantage to buying new construction because builders offer mortgage buy-downs, sometimes can help with closing costs, and occasionally you might be able to get certain upgrades included. Having a realtor in your corner for this process is important so someone can advocate and negotiate on your behalf. Remember, the leasing office agents work for the builder, not for you! Use your realtor for new builds to ensure you get the best from your new investment!

New builds have a lot of positive attributes and can be a perfect fit for a first-time home buyer. It’s important to remember you don’t have to stay in the same home forever! If you move into new build community for your first home because of the alluring offerings and end up not wanting an HOA, wanting more space from a neighbor, or desiring a different neighborhood, you can always sell!