Many folks searching for a new custom Florida home, especially first-time buyers, may look at new-home prices versus resale prices and wonder if resales offer a better buy than new construction.

It’s a common assumption. Resales are priced lower than new builds because, to borrow automotive terms, they’re “used” or “pre-owned.” But setting price as the sole determinant can be misleading.

Here’s a comparison of the benefits of building a new home versus buying a resale home.

Key Takeaways

Builder incentives like interest rate reductions and design bonuses can offer major savings on new construction homes.
New homes feature energy-efficient systems, modern construction materials, and the latest design trends, all included from day one.
Building new means no need to budget for costly renovations or live with someone else’s design choices.
Resale homes may seem cheaper upfront, but hidden maintenance and updates can quickly outweigh the perceived savings.

Builder incentives

Incentives can be offered any time, and not always to offset market conditions.

Builder incentives are extra perks and costs savings offered to prospective customers. They usually run for a limited time, as a community approaches closeout or contains a surplus of a certain type of home, for example. Incentives also can be tied to certain seasons or holidays.

No matter their impetus, builder incentives are a big plus for buyers. A recent ICI Homes incentive included an interest rate as low as 4.99 percent on specific inventory homes (homes built to sell rather than for a specific buyer) when using a preferred lending partner.

Another recent example is additional design-center bonuses for prospective customers who build from scratch in specified communities.

Those big-time savings can add up fast!

Everything’s new

Residents of new builds are the first people to live in those homes. New custom Florida homes from ICI Homes offer the EQ Factor, energy-wise, quality-built components and processes.

This includes energy-saving appliances, tighter-envelope construction, the latest in residential construction materials and techniques, and a host of environmentally friendly mechanical systems, technology, and design components such as paint and carpet.

EQ Factor homes provide the latest in comfort, green living and cost savings, less likely occurrences in resale homes.

Not my decor

We all have some idea of interior and exterior designs we like and those we don’t. And because we’re all unique individuals, it’s doubtful our tastes will align perfectly with the seller(s) of any resale home.

You’ll realize this when you find yourself thinking, “Ugh,” as you tour resales homes online or in person.

Making a resale home truly yours usually involves some elbow grease you’ll won’t require on a new build. And we don’t mean simply painting or pressure-washing the driveway.

Added renovation costs

Indeed, you may get a steal of a deal on that circa-2005 fixer upper, but there’s a high likelihood it needs some expensive help somewhere, perhaps lots of it.

Added renovation costs are like pesky surcharges on retail and restaurant purchases. Except they quickly can add up in the thousands and tens of thousands, negating the “steal” aspect of a resale purchase. And, this goes for inside and outside a resale. Tired shrubbery, a splintering deck or a roof that needs replacing in a year or two, all fit that bill too.

Don’t make it yours!

Ready for your new custom Florida home? Talk to ICI Homes here.