February 23, 2018
New Construction Myths Debunked!
If you’re looking to purchase a home, you’re certain to have heard a lot about buying new construction. Some of it is completely true, and some of it…well, not so much. There’s a lot of information out there about new construction and the home buying process that comes with it, and it’s often hard to tell where the truth ends and the myths begin. At Ernest Signature Custom Homes, we pride ourselves on our transparency and our dedication to a positive customer experience in every way. We’re sure you’ve heard quite a bit about these new construction myths, and today we’re setting the record straight by letting you know how we do business.
Myth # 1 – It takes much too long to build a new home from the ground up.
One of the most common negatives thrown around when new construction comes up in the home buying conversation is the wait time you’ll experience while your builder creates your ideal home. You’ll often hear that it can take six months or longer for your home to be ready. Our timeline is very different. We have a 12 week build time from the date the start package hits the field. Of course, there are factors such as weather, labor issues and supply chain concerns that can influence that time, but in the vast majority of cases, we stay right on track. And in the rare instance that we can’t meet a proposed deadline, we’ll let you know about potential delays as soon as possible.
And don’t forget…many builders will have a small inventory of their homes ready for immediate move-in. You can check out our quick move-in homes here!
Myth #2 – Every newly constructed house in a community looks exactly the same.
Almost all builders today offer some level of customization for their customers. We specialize in making modifications that set your home apart. We offer a wide variety of floor plans that can be adjusted to meet your needs. Our plans offer a choice of exterior features, optional patios, porches or extra rooms, upgraded bathrooms and kitchens and the ability to make reasonable structural changes. We’re happy to work with you to customize just about any aspect of our floor plans. We know that in today’s housing market, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t fit anyone.
Myth # 3 – It’s much more expensive to buy new construction.
In many housing markets, including the Savannah, GA area, there isn’t an immense gap between the prices of brand new homes and previously owned homes of a similar size in neighborhoods of a similar type. There will always be exceptions, but overall, you won’t be seeing a huge difference. You also need to consider that new construction is much more energy-efficient than homes built 60, 20 or even 10 years ago. Through improved technologies, builders offer a lot more energy-efficient features in new homes, ranging from dual-glazed windows and high-efficiency furnaces to low-flow plumbing fixtures and high-tech insulation.
Also, the true cost of owning a home is more than just the purchase price. When you take into consideration the warranties, the operating costs and the fact that everything is brand new, the value of new construction can far outweigh that of an existing home. Also, many buyers underestimate the cost of replacing features in existing homes like cabinets, flooring, and fixtures. Add the cost of the materials to the disruption to your lifestyle, the inconvenience, the contractor selection, permits, delays, and the other intangibles you’ll face when modifying an existing home…and you begin to wonder if it isn’t better to get exactly what you want right from the beginning.
Myth # 4 – You’ll always pay the listed price for new construction.
Remember, home building is a business, like any other. You can always approach a builder to negotiate the asking price of a new home the same way you would for a previously loved home. If it is in everyone’s best interest to negotiate, we can definitely have that conversation.
Myth #5 – Realtors and homebuilders don’t work together to help you find a house.
The real estate business is one founded on connections and relationships. As part of the active and vital Savannah area real estate community, we have contacts and business partners that we work with on a regular basis to find each client their perfect home. We’re dedicated to finding that perfect match between a family and their dream house.
Myth #6 – When you’re going with new construction, a well-known national builder is your best option.
Keep in mind that bigger isn't always better. Local builders with a smaller customer base can often provide more specialized customer service. They may be able to offer more custom options, because they aren’t held to policies and procedures that work well in one location, but not in another. National builders will have the same name wherever you go, but the staff and product quality may be better in some parts of the country than others, so the reputation of the “Big Name Brand” will differ from one area to another.
If you have any questions that we didn’t answer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. Call our experts at 912-756-4135 – or send us an email if you prefer. When it comes to buying a home, new construction may be the right answer for you!
