Written By: Farah Vitale

If you’re debating whether to buy a used or new home there are a few things to consider.

New homes will require less maintenance for a few reasons. Today, homes are built with roofs and water heaters lasting from 10 to 20 years. This will save you a lot of money and time over the years. Also, newly built houses feature modern conveniences such as built-in dishwashers and refrigerators. Usually brand-new homes have a builder’s warranties, which is an important factor when choosing a builder.

Another plus with new homes is the ability to conserve more energy. New appliances use less energy and dual panel windows help a lot with keeping the temperature in the house. And surprise, it’s cheaper to buy new if you are not buying a custom home. You usually get greater square footage for the price. But if you are able to dish out some extra money you can build your own dream home.

Downfalls of buying an older home?

As for older homes, there could be a lot more maintenance, especially the repairing of wires and plumbing. That can get expensive and time consuming. Storage space can be another issue. Older homes tend to have less space in closets and smaller garages. Safety is another downfall of an older house: there are fewer volatile organic compounds in some cabinets, carpets and paints which can impair breathing. As time passes there are more and more benefits of purchasing a new home.