Many people looking for luxury homes in Pennsylvania's Bucks County are eager to look into new construction homes. New construction homes continue to expand throughout Bucks County, with a focus on luxury properties that have all the amenities you could possibly need. However, as you explore new construction properties and decide which ones are the best option for your needs, there are several things you may need to keep in mind.
Ask the right questions
Before you purchase a new construction home in Bucks County, PA, you may want to make sure you know what you're looking for. If the home is still under construction, you may want to know things like:
-
What finishes does the property come with, based on the usual standards?
-
Are there any options, like appliances, that you could choose to purchase for yourself as you choose your new property?
-
How long will it be before construction on the property is finished? What about your move-in date?
If you're choosing from existing new construction homes, on the other hand, there are several other elements you may want to take into consideration. You may, for example, want to know:
-
Do you get a home warranty with the property? What does the warranty cover, and how long will it last?
-
Are there rules and regulations governing the community? For example, if you're moving into an HOA, several regulations may govern what you can put on the property, including fences, sheds, and more.
-
How satisfied are homeowners with past properties built by this builder? Have any of them shown signs of problems resulting from builder error?
While choosing a new construction home is a great way to get the latest technological advances in your property, not to mention modern appliances and finishes, it's important to ensure that you have researched and looked into the quality of that construction.
Buying a new construction home has several advantages
As you explore homes for sale in Bucks County, you may find that new construction offers a number of potential benefits:
-
Your new construction home is a fresh, new property. You're the first to live in it, so you won't find any unexpected surprises left by previous residents.
-
A new construction home won't require updates before you can move in.
-
New construction sometimes means you can choose some of the finishes yourself, which means you can get the perfect property for your needs.
-
You can often find new construction in a community with the latest amenities and options, including community pools, parks, and more.
-
New construction is frequently more energy-efficient and technologically advanced, including the latest smart home options, which can help save you money in the future.
-
You may find that your new construction home requires less overall maintenance than an older-model home, and many of your home's vital items, like the roof or HVAC, will probably last longer.
Talk to a real estate agent about whether you're looking for a new construction home and how a new construction home can fit your needs as a homebuyer.
Understand the disadvantages of new construction before you buy
While buying a new construction home has several advantages, it's also important to consider the potential disadvantages of new construction before you dive in and buy a new property:
-
New construction is often more expensive than an established property. You may find yourself spending more for the same square footage and even the same amenities in a market where home costs have already spiked in recent years.
-
Some new construction in Bucks County is located inside HOAs with strict regulations, which not all buyers appreciate.
-
You may find fewer options for new construction homes. While Bucks County has seen a great deal of new construction in the past several years as the market attempts to manage the housing boom, there are not many new construction properties available.
-
It could take longer than you anticipate for you to be able to move into your new home. In many cases, new construction homes aren't finished or aren't yet ready for move-in. As a result, you may find yourself waiting for months before you can actually move into the property you've chosen.
Once you've discussed the potential downsides of buying a new construction home, you can better determine if it is the right option.
New construction homes may be highly customizable
In some cases, you may have the opportunity to customize your new construction home while the builder is finishing up work. Often, builders, especially builders who are working in a large community, will allow buyers to choose the finishes for the property. You may get to select your own flooring, your fans and fixtures, and even your appliances from a list provided by the builders.
However, remember that those customizations may be limited by what the builders are willing to provide. Furthermore, those customizations may significantly increase your new property's overall price. Make sure you pay careful attention to your budget while selecting the options that best fit your new home.
It's also important to carefully clarify which options will add to your cost and which ones come as part of the standard package before you purchase a new construction home since you don't want to be surprised by unexpected add-ons at the last minute.
Scheduling your own inspection is critical
You may assume that since you're buying a new construction home, you won't have to worry about a pre-buying inspection. However, in many cases, that inspection will uncover information that you may not have expected. Sometimes, a home inspection may uncover that the builder cut corners, from using less-desirable materials to ignoring safety regulations. Your home inspection can help you feel much more confident that you're making the right decision about your new construction purchase.
Buying new construction that is already completed can take the mystery out of the equation
Sometimes, when buying new construction that is still going up, you may end up with a lot of mystery in the process. From that initial look, you may not know what the finished property will look like, even if you had the chance to tour a model home before the purchase. On the other hand, buying a house that has already been finished may offer significant insights into what it will be like to live in the property. As a result, you may feel much more confident in your choice.
Talk with your real estate agent about the benefits of pre-construction versus post-construction home purchases. Many buyers buy pre-construction homes because they want to ensure they can get a good price or because they want to snap up a home in a good neighborhood before it goes off the market. At Doug Pearson Realty, we can help you take a look at the likelihood that those properties will sell quickly and when to purchase to increase your odds of getting exactly what you want out of the property.
Pay attention to neighborhood sales
Talk to your realtor before buying a new construction home in Bucks County. How fast is the neighborhood selling out? Knowing that a neighborhood is selling fast can tell you several things.
-
You may need to act fast. Home sales in Bucks County have been hot in the past few years, with many people moving into the area and home sales going up rapidly. Competition is fierce for many luxury properties. In some cases, you may discover that you need to act quickly in order to get the property you want.
-
If a particular project is selling slower than anticipated, a real estate agent can help you take a look at why. Is the development overpriced? Are there known problems with the homes, including zoning issues? Your real estate agent can help prepare you for any problems that may come up.
-
If the development has relatively few properties left, you may have fewer options. On the other hand, in some cases, the developers are highly motivated to sell, which can help improve your ability to get exactly the property you want.
Talk to your real estate agent about new construction neighborhoods for sale and what you might know about them. Your real estate agent can help guide you through that process and give you more insights into the available properties.
Are you ready to purchase a new construction home in Bucks County?
If you're looking for a new construction home in Bucks County, Douglas Pearson Real Estate can help you find the property of your dreams. Contact us today to learn more about available new construction throughout the Bucks County area.
