Is a Newly Built Home Right for You? The Pros and Cons

March 8, 2025

Is a Newly Built Home Right for You? The Pros and Cons

When searching for a home, you don’t want to skip over new builds as an option. Right now, there are more newly built homes to choose from than there would normally be in the market. And those added choices come with some pretty incredible benefits. Talking to your agent is the best way to see if this type of home makes sense for you.

Here’s a quick rundown of some things your agent will walk you through – including a few of the top perks of buying a newly built home today and some potential things you’ll want to think about before you ink any contracts.

The Perks of Buying a Newly Built Home 

Customization Options: Many builders allow buyers to choose finishes, layouts, and upgrades so that you can personalize your home to your unique sense of style. This is obviously more of a draw if the home is still under construction, but sometimes you can have a builder agree to some tweaks even after it’s completed.

Less Maintenance and Fewer Repairs: Everything from the roof to the appliances is brand new, which should save you on any upfront maintenance or repair costs — for at least the first few years. Many builders also offer warranties on things like structural components and major systems, to give you extra peace of mind. And not having to worry about this sort of thing is a big perk when everything feels so expensive right now.

Eco-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Features: With stricter building codes, newly built homes tend to be more environmentally friendly. This can include energy-efficient upgrades like smart thermostats and high-efficiency HVAC systems or eco-friendly tech. And all of these features can save you money on your future energy bills – again a welcome relief while inflation is stubbornly high.

Builder Incentives: Some builders are also offering incentives to homebuyers. While this will vary by builder, it could include rate buy-downs or other ways to offset today’s affordability challenges. As Bankrate says:


“Some builders offer financial incentives, including flexible financing options, to encourage buyers to purchase. These incentives — especially if they get the buyer a lower interest rate — could make a new-construction home more affordable in the long run.”

Other Considerations When Buying a Newly Built Home

On the other side of the coin, there are some things that you’ll want to at least consider before making your choice.

Longer Timelines: If you’re purchasing a home that’s still under construction, you may have to wait several months — or longer — before you can move in. As Realtor.com puts it:


“For homebuyers who have a short time frame to move into a new home, buying new construction could be challenging if the house isn’t built yet. This is not always the case, since a community may have some quick move-in homes or spec homes that are already complete (or nearly so) and ready for a buyer to move in. But if not, a buyer may have to wait.”

Potential Price Changes: Keep an eye on costs, too. It’s easy to go over budget if you keep tacking on upgrades or add-ons as you customize your build. At the same time, building materials, like lumber, can be affected by the economy, inflation, and changing trade policies. And unfortunately, if the cost of supplies climbs, builders will pass at least some of that increase on to people like you. As HousingWire explains:


“Upgrades and add-ons, unforeseen delays due to weather, supply chain issues or labor shortages, and expenses like landscaping and fencing not included in the builder’s cost can significantly affect the final price.”

Bottom Line

New builds can be a great choice today, but you want to be sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision on such a big purchase. That’s where my expertise and experience is extra important.

Would you consider a newly built home? Why or why not? 

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¿Es una casa recién construida adecuada para usted? Los pros y los contras

March 8, 2025
¿Es una casa recién construida adecuada para usted? Los pros y los contras

Los 3 errores más grandes que están cometiendo los vendedores en este momento

February 5, 2025
Los 3 errores más grandes que están cometiendo los vendedores en este momento Si usted quiere vender su casa, tener las estrategias y expectativas adecuadas es fundamental. Pero algunos vendedores no se han ajustado al mercado de hoy. Ellos no están teniendo en cuenta que hay más casas para la venta o que los compradores están siendo más selectivos con sus presupuestos. Y esos vendedores están cometiendo algunos errores costosos. Aquí hay un resumen rápido de los 3 errores más comunes que cometen los vendedores, y cómo trabajar con un agente experto puede ayudarle a usted a evitar cada uno de ellos. 1. Ponerle un precio demasiado alto a la casa Según una encuesta realizada por John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC por sus siglas en inglés) y Keeping Current Matters (KCM por sus siglas en inglés), los agentes en bienes raíces están de acuerdo en que el problema #1 con el que luchan los vendedores en este momento es establecer el precio correcto para su casa (vea la gráfica a continuación): Y la mayoría de las veces, los propietarios tienden a sobrevalorar sus casas. Si usted no está al tanto de lo que está sucediendo en su mercado local, puede ceder a la tentación de poner un precio alto para poder tener el mayor margen de maniobra posible para negociar. Usted no quiere hacer esto. Los compradores de hoy en día son más cautelosos debido a las tasas más altas y los presupuestos ajustados, y un precio que se siente fuera de su alcance los ahuyentará. Y si nadie está mirando su casa, ¿cómo se va a vender? Esta es exactamente la razón por la que más vendedores están teniendo que hacer recortes de los precios. Para evitar este dolor de cabeza, confíe en la experiencia de su agente desde el primer día. Un agente excelente podrá decirle por cuanto se acaba de vender la casa de su vecino y cómo eso afecta el valor de su casa. 2. Omitir reparaciones Otro error común es tratar de evitar hacer trabajos en su casa. Es posible que ese grifo que gotea o que el rechinante sonido de la puerta no le moleste, pero para los compradores, los problemas pequeños de mantenimiento pueden ser señales de alerta. Ellos pueden asumir que esos pequeños defectos son signos de problemas mayores, y eso podría costarle a usted cuando las ofertas son más bajas o los compradores piden concesiones. Como dice Investopedia: “ Los vendedores que no limpian y arreglan sus casas tiran el dinero por el desagüe… Omitir estos arreglos puede reducir su precio de venta y también puede impedir que la casa se venda. Si usted no ha atendido problemas menores, como una perilla de la puerta rota o un grifo que gotea, un comprador potencial puede preguntarse si la casa tiene problemas más grandes y costosos que tampoco se hayan abordado”. ¿La solución? Trabaje con su agente para priorizar cualquier cosa que necesite abordar antes de que llegue el fotógrafo. Estas mejoras pequeñas pueden dar grandes frutos cuando llega el momento de vender. 3. Negarse a negociar Los compradores de hoy están sintiendo el efecto de los precios altos de las casas y las tasas hipotecarias. Con una asequibilidad tan ajustada, es posible que ellos vengan con una oferta más baja de lo que usted desea ver. No lo tome como algo personal. En su lugar, concéntrese en el objetivo final: que es, vender su casa. Su agente puede ayudarle a negociar con confianza sin dejar que las emociones nublen su juicio. Al mismo tiempo, con más casas en el mercado, los compradores tienen más opciones, y con eso viene más poder de negociación. Ellos pueden solicitar reparaciones, asistencia para los costos de cierre u otras concesiones. Esté preparado para tener estas conversaciones. Una vez más, apóyese en su agente para que le guíe. A veces, un pequeño acuerdo puede sellar el trato sin descarrilar sus resultados. Como explica U.S. News Real Estate: “Si usted ha recibido una oferta por su casa que no es exactamente lo que esperaba que fuera, espere negociar… La única manera de llegar a un acuerdo exitoso es asegurarse de que el comprador también sienta que se beneficia… Considere la posibilidad de ofrecer cubrir algunos de los costos de cierre del comprador o acordar un crédito por una reparación menor que el inspector encontró”. ¿El mayor error de todos? No usar un agente en bienes raíces ¿Noto algo? En cada uno de estos errores, trabajar con un agente ayuda a evitar en primer lugar que estos sucedan. Eso hace que tratar de vender su casa sin la ayuda de un agente sea el mayor error de todos. En conclusión Evite estos errores comunes al comenzar el proceso con el plan y el agente correcto. Vamos a comunicarnos para que usted no caiga en ninguna de estas trampas.

The 3 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now

February 5, 2025
The 3 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now If you want to sell your house, having the right strategies and expectations is key. But some sellers haven’t adjusted to where the market is today. They’re not factoring in that there are more homes for sale or that buyers are being more selective with their budgets. And those sellers are making some costly mistakes. Here’s a quick rundown of the 3 most common missteps sellers are making, and how partnering with an expert agent can help you avoid every single one of them. 1. Pricing the Home Too High According to a survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM), real estate agents agree the #1 thing sellers struggle with right now is setting the right price for their house (see graph below): And more often than not, homeowners tend to overprice their listings. If you aren’t up to speed on what’s happening in your local market, you may give in to the temptation to price high so you can have as much wiggle room as possible to negotiate. You don’t want to do this. Today’s buyers are more cautious due to higher rates and tight budgets, and a price that feels out of reach will scare them off. And if no one’s looking at your house, how’s it going to sell? This is exactly why more sellers are having to do price cuts. To avoid this headache, trust your agent’s expertise from day 1. A great agent will be able to tell you what your neighbor’s house just sold for and how that impacts the value of your home. 2. Skipping Repairs Another common mistake is trying to avoid doing work on your house. That leaky faucet or squeaky door might not bother you, but to buyers, small maintenance issues can be red flags. They may assume those little flaws are signs of bigger problems — and it could cost you when offers come in lower or buyers ask for concessions. As Investopedia says: “ Sellers who do not clean and stage their homes throw money down the drain. . . Failing to do these things can reduce your sales price and may also prevent you from getting a sale at all. If you haven’t attended to minor issues, such as a broken doorknob or dripping faucet, a potential buyer may wonder whether the house has larger, costlier issues that haven’t been addressed either.” The solution? Work with your agent to prioritize anything you’ll need to tackle before the photographer comes in. These minor upgrades can pay off big when it’s time to sell. 3. Refusing To Negotiate Buyers today are feeling the pinch of high home prices and mortgage rates. With affordability that tight, they may come in with an offer that’s lower than you want to see. Don’t take it personally. Instead, focus on the end goal: selling your house. Your agent can help you negotiate confidently without letting emotions cloud your judgment. At the same time, with more homes on the market, buyers have options — and with that comes more negotiating power. They may ask for repairs, closing cost assistance, or other concessions. Be prepared to have these conversations. Again, lean on your agent to guide you. Sometimes a small compromise can seal the deal without derailing your bottom line. As U.S. News Real Estate explains: “If you’ve received an offer for your house that isn’t quite what you’d hoped it would be, expect to negotiate . . . the only way to come to a successful deal is to make sure the buyer also feels like he or she benefits . . . consider offering to cover some of the buyer’s closing costs or agree to a credit for a minor repair the inspector found.” The Biggest Mistake of All? Not Using a Real Estate Agent Notice anything? For each of these mistakes, partnering with an agent helps prevent them from happening in the first place. That makes trying to sell your house without an agent’s help the biggest mistake of all. Bottom Line Avoid these common mistakes by starting with the right plan — and the right agent. Let’s connect so you don’t fall into any of these traps.
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