When my family and I decided it was time to move into a new home, we were torn between two big options: should we build a house from scratch or buy a resale home that's already on the market? If you’re in the same boat, you might be wondering what’s the best choice for you.

I’ll share my experience and the pros and cons of both building and buying, with a bit of a nudge toward why building might be the way to go.

The Short Answer to Building Or Buying Resale

Deciding whether to build or buy a house is a personal choice that depends on your circumstances. Building a home offers the chance to customize every detail to fit your lifestyle and preferences. You get modern features and energy efficiency, though it often comes with higher upfront costs and a longer timeline.

Buying a pre-owned home is quicker and often cheaper than buying a new one. However, you may need to compromise on the design and renovations; plus unknown costs of maintenance, repairs & upgrades.

When I built my home, I enjoyed tailoring it to my needs and faced minimal delays. Ultimately, if you value personalization and can handle the wait, building could be the way to go.

If you prefer a settled location or need to move quickly, buying prebuilt may be a better option for you. Consider your budget, timeline, and priorities to make the right choice for you.

Why Building A New Home Is A Better Option

Building your own home is an exciting journey. It offers a level of pick-and-choose and personalization that buying an existing home simply can’t match. You can design every part of your living space to fit your preferences. Modern builds have the newest energy-efficient technology, which can save you money on utility bills.

When my sister went to build her home, she loved the fact that she could choose everything from the floor plan to the cabinet handles. The process was time-consuming sure, but the result was a home that perfectly suited her family’s needs and style!

5 Pros of Building A New Home

1. Long-Term Cost Savings: Although building a home costs more upfront, it can save you money in the long run. New homes usually require fewer repairs and less maintenance compared to older homes. In addition, Doug Parr Homes constructs them with durable materials.
   
   Ramsey Solutions mentions that these long-term savings can balance out the initial higher cost of building.
2. New Home Warranty: Many new homes come with a warranty that covers things like structural issues and appliances for the first few years. For example, Doug Parr Homes offers a 10-year structural warranty.
   
   This means you won’t have to worry about unexpected repair costs right away. I found this to be a huge relief in my new home.
3. Save on Your Energy Bill: New homes are built with more modern and energy-efficient technology. This results in lower energy bills because better insulation and better materials are designed to save energy.
   
   My friend built a home and was pleasantly surprised by how much she saved on her utility bills with the new, efficient systems.
4. Personalization and Customization: Choosing everything yourself is one of the best parts of building a house. It allows for customization and a personal touch. From the layout to the fixtures, it’s all up to you. I remember choosing the exact shade of paint for the walls and the type of flooring we wanted.
   
   This customization made our home feel uniquely ours. Another source says that personalizing your home can greatly improve your enjoyment of it.
5. Choice of Location: When you build, you get to choose where your home is located. Whether you want to be close to good schools or away from the hustle and bustle, you can pick a spot that suits you best.
   
   My cousin chose a location that worked perfectly with schools and parks, which would have been harder to find with a pre-existing home.

Cons of Building a Home

• Time-Consuming Building a house takes time—often several months to over a year. We had to wait quite a while before we could finally move in. If you need to move quickly, this might not be the best option.
• Unexpected Costs Even with a budget, extra costs can come up during the building process. For example, we faced unexpected costs for additional grading on our plot of land.
• Decision Overload When you’re building a home, you’ll have to make a lot of decisions—significant and minor. From choosing a floor plan to picking out light fixtures, it can be overwhelming. I definitely felt this when I was making choices for our new construction home.

Building a House vs. Buying A Resale Home

The cost of building a house can be higher upfront compared to buying an existing home. However, the long-term savings from reduced maintenance and energy efficiency can offset the initial investment.

It’s crucial to compare these factors based on your financial situation and long-term plans. Buying an existing home allows for immediate move-in, which is ideal for those who need to relocate quickly. On the other hand, building a home means waiting for construction to complete, which can be a lengthy process.

So Should I Build Or Buy A Home?

Deciding to build or buy a house depends on your needs, preferences, and circumstances. It's a big decision to make. Building a home allows for customization, modern features, and savings, but also brings challenges like time and unexpected costs.

For those who prioritize personalization and modern amenities, building may be the best choice. If you want to build your dream home, Doug Parr Homes can help make it happen with our expert guidance and quality construction.

Build Or Buy A Home Today

Thinking about building your dream home? Reach out to Doug Parr Homes to explore your options and start planning your perfect home or buy one of our inventory homes today!