Photo courtesy of McBride Homes
1. Healthier living environment
New homes offer clear advantages with regard to health and well-being. Asbestos is no longer used in shingles, piping, cement board, roof tar, floor tiles, ceiling, or insulation. Lead is no longer used in paint or as solder for plumbing. Formaldehyde emissions from particle-board and hardwood plywood have also been eliminated. The St. Louis area is known for high pollen counts causing allergy issues with many residents. Buying a new home ensures the home is free of unnecessary allergens, including pet dander that may be lingering from a previous owner’s four-legged family member.
Photo courtesy of Fischer & Frichtel Homes
2. Better materials inside and out
Stronger, quieter construction. Extra bracing and framing anchors help new homes withstand high winds, storms and even earthquakes. Also, new building materials make roofs and floors stronger and quieter than those in older homes. New kinds of roof and floor trusses increase strength and allow builders to offer a much wider range of design possibilities by eliminating the need for most weight-bearing walls.
New home builders are benefiting from affordable, earth-friendly, low-maintenance, durable building materials that conserve natural resources without sacrificing comfort. For example, engineered wood, a synthetic composite lumber, uses half of the wood fiber of sawn lumber but is considered stronger than the conventional product. Other innovative materials, many of which are recycled, are also finding valuable uses in new-home construction.
Photo courtesy of Consort Homes
3. Appreciates in value AND Saves you money
New homes are more energy efficient thanks to more efficient systems throughout the home. Heating and cooling systems, better windows, plumbing features, controlled air infiltration and improved insulation. All these new systems help to keep utility bills down and regulate temperatures throughout the home.
A new home will age well and WILL appreciate in value. Research shows that often new homes appreciate more, as a percentage of original cost, than older homes. Although home builders must raise prices regularly due to increases in costs (land, materials, labor, etc.), even as a new home is being built, it is increasing in value, and will usually continue to increase as the rest of the community is being built.
Photo courtesy of McKelvey Homes
4. Choices!
New homes offer floor plan options. Home builders offer a wide range of floor plans to fit a variety of lifestyles. They may offer ranch plans, story-and-a-half plans, two-story plans, maintenance-free villa homes, town homes, etc., and in many instances, they offer such options as additional rooms, upgraded materials and features, and a choice of front elevations.
New homes offer a choice of finishes. Unlike a pre-owned home, the buyer has the opportunity to select flooring colors and materials, cabinet styles and colors, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, door hardware, etc., so they have the opportunity to personalize it.
Abundant storage space. Home builders realize that storage space is something their buyers crave. They are responding with walk-in closets, built-in shelving, and innovative storage areas.
Photo courtesy of Lombardo Homes
5. Warranty = Peace of Mind
New homes come with warranties on workmanship and materials. They provide the peace of mind that you will enjoy your new home without worry for many years. Plus, everything in the home is new, including flooring, appliances, systems and more, which come with manufacturer’s warranties as well.
If this list has convinced you to consider buying a new home, visit a St. Louis homebuilder! They would be happy to share more information with you.