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Price and location are typically the most important factors people consider when looking for a new home in Plano to buy. But the home’s condition, particularly its age, should also be an important factor.

Some people relish the prospect of refurbishing an older house, even if it takes a great deal of time and money. But there are several advantages of buying a brand new home, especially when it comes to lifestyle and flexibility.

When you buy a resale home, you get what’s already there. That means you’re stuck with the floor plan, ceiling heights and lighting that may have made sense in the 1970s or earlier. It also likely means tiny bathrooms and a dated, small kitchen. With a new home, like the ones at West Park Villas in Plano, you have your choice of floor plans. The kitchens are a lot larger, and include Energy Star rated appliances. New homes also afford more storage options than older models, which can be an important consideration when you have a growing family.

In addition, new homes typically come with sophisticated wiring that’s needed for high-speed electronics and communication equipment, entertainment centers and security systems. Plus, if you were to buy an older home in Plano, you might have to spend a small fortune to take down walls (avoiding the load-bearing ones that can’t be easily moved) in order to enlarge the room to the create the type of flowing, open living space that’s preferred today.

Another benefit to buying a brand new home is that all of the costly components, such as an air conditioning unit, water heater, kitchen appliances, doors, windows and roof are, by definition, brand new. And most of these elements come with a warranty, sometimes for up to 10 years. The structural features and equipment in a resale home may be nearing time for replacement, and may not be warrantied. As a result, you could face some hefty out-of-pocket costs within a year or two of moving in.

Here are some examples of capital improvement costs you could face in the early years after buying a resale home:

• The typical central air system lasts about 15 years. Depending on the system you choose, it can cost as much as $5,000 to replace.
• A shingled roof lasts about 25 years, and replacement costs often start at $5,000.
• Kitchen remodeling can range anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000.
• A master bath remodel can cost upwards of $15,000.

New homes are also far more energy efficient than older homes, since they have to meet tougher national building codes than just a few years ago. Landon Homes, for example, uses a variety of building methods to help lower utility bills, including 2×6 exterior wall construction, insulated corners, and vinyl tinted glass windows. These techniques help to keep a new home in Plano cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Visit our website to learn why more homeowners are becoming a part of the Landon family.

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This post was written by Landon Homes.