How to Decide Whether to Purchase a New or Used Home

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By Kerry Fletcher ASID
eHow Community Member

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There are pros and cons to buying a new construction home or a used/older/pre-owned home. This article will list some of the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide which is best for you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

A new construction home generally comes with warranties, probably a 1 year to cover most anything other than general wear and tear and a 5 year warranty for structural defects. You can get a 1 year warranty for a used home, but that needs to be negotiated in your contract.
Step 2

New construction is built to the latest codes and regulations. The stair railings are the proper distance apart. There are adequate air vents to remove moisture from the home in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. New homes follow the latest earthquake codes.
Step 3

With a new home, everything is in near perfect condition. There are no stains on the carpet or dings in the door. There should be nothing requiring a major repair for about 5 years. With a used home, the mechanical systems, roof, and kitchen appliances are usually not new, so they will need to be replaced sooner than a new home.
Step 4

New home construction has modern wiring for the way we live today. There is wiring to the windows and doors for a security system. There is TV and internet cables throughout the home. The electrical outlets are 3 prong instead of 2 prong. You may even get wiring for surround sound.
Step 5

New construction is more energy efficient. There are double paned windows and new insulation. You may even have a radiant barrier on your roof. These new construction methods will lead to lower utility bills. For a used home, you will probably need to add more insulation since insulation deteriorates over time. You may even want to replace the windows for not only lower utility bills but for general comfort by keeping the temperature consistent throughout your home.
Step 6

With a new home, you can select exactly what you want in your home. You can select the flooring, kitchen cabinets, countertops, front door, appliances, and everything in between. Of coarse upgrades are how builders make their money, so you will pay a high price for every upgrade. In a used home, you get what you get in its current condition.
Step 7

Newer homes generally have at least a 9' ceiling height. In older homes, the ceiling height is often only 8'. The higher ceiling makes the home feel bigger, even though the square footage may be the same.
Step 8

Newer homes usually come with 42" high upper cabinets without a furrdown, but many older homes only have 30" high upper cabinets covered in a furrdown. The kitchen size may be comparable in both homes, but the amount of storage you have is considerably less in a used home.
Step 9

A used home generally has charm and character. It is quaint and possibly one of a kind. It has character. A new home is generally all white, beige, or creme. Your home looks very similar to your neighbors, but yours may have an extra bedroom and different colored countertops.
Step 10

A used home is generally located closer to the city center and has a larger lot. New homes are generally located in the suburbs on a smaller lot.
Step 11

A used home has full lush landscaping with mature shade trees. In new construction homes, you generally get 2 tiny trees in the front yard, a few small bushes, and grass in the front yard. You'll be lucky to get grass in your backyard.
Step 12

Used homes generally come with extras. These may include window coverings, upgraded light fixtures, and finished basements. New homes do not normally come with window coverings. The light fixtures offered by builders are usually the cheapest possible.