New construction can offer a home-buyer more than fresh paint and an open floor plan. Today’s new homes feature flexible spaces, are constructed using low-maintenance building materials and are significantly more energy efficient than older homes. And financing can be easier because of mortgage-financing perks that may be offered through a builder.

When reviewing the process used to construct a new home, everything starts on the inside – with the building envelope. Builders are concerned with making sure conditioned air — cool air in summer months and warm air in the winter — stays inside and doesn’t escape through walls, the roof or other exits. With that in mind, single-pane windows have been relegated to the past. New homes often come equipped with triple and quadruple-paned windows, designed to minimize air filtration in or out.

Since the early 1980′s, building codes have also mandated higher energy-efficiency standards, and home builders are meeting or exceeding them. The most recent International Energy Conservation Code requires almost 20% more efficiency than 2006 standards.

Green Amenities

New homes often include “green” amenities or appliances, such as low or no VOC paint and flooring, energy-efficient lighting, reflective window coatings, and high-efficiency stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, furnaces or air conditioning units. A new home may feature green appliances which are designed to consume less energy, resulting in lower utility bills.

Additional Reading: New Home Construction in Frederick County

Technology in New Homes

Some of the most recent technologies are not as compatible with the building and structure of older homes. Integrated Technology, or sometimes called a connected home, means that the home features a completely integrated home technology solution. Integrated home solutions seamlessly communicate in an intelligent way to simplify life. It encompasses much more than just lighting and shade control. Today’s modern homes combine lighting, climate, shades, home entertainment, security, and more on a single platform.

The 2014 New American Home, which will be the highlight of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) show in Las Vegas, uses the most innovative solutions for energy management, security, lighting control and entertainment.

Technology tools at home are readily available in many price points to accommodate the home owner’s needs. While systems in the past may have been unattainable to the average buyer, the majority of the technology incorporated into new connected homes can scale from a small home to a large estate.

These technologies are often difficult to retrofit in older homes. New homes can be fitted for today’s technologies from the initial design.

Buyers Pay More for Technology

Study after study has shown that today’s buyers are willing to pay more for homes with green technologies. The savings on energy bills are a key factor. Add to that the desire for smart home features and the addition of these elements to a home are a smart choice.

A recent study conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics, in conjunction with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that home technology is contributing aspect to the housing recovery.

• By 2020, nearly all (81%) home builders will be constructing that level of green, with over half (51%) building at least 60% of their new homes green.
• One key factor driving the growth of green is the association of green homes with healthier living. Home builders and remodelers certainly recognize the potential: most (83%) believe that consumers will pay more for homes that are healthier.

Another Reason to Buy New

Typically, new homes will need fewer repairs than a home that has experienced decades of wear and tear. And new homes are built with less maintenance in mind. On the outside, durable materials such as siding and other composites are used to replace wood, eliminating the need for repairing or staining wood siding or window frames. On the inside, cork floors can stand up to the heaviest traffic, and granite or concrete counter tops can take heavy use and still look great.

The Warranty is A Factor

With a used home, a home inspection can provide a base point for the condition of the home, but after closing the homeowner is generally responsible for all repairs going forward. New home builders often agree to take care of any necessary repair work in a new home for at least the first year, and may provide additional warranties.

However, it pays to discover and remediate any problems with new construction before “signing off”. Once a home is complete and the contract and final payment delivered, a warranty may be in effect, but it may take time to have warranty issues addressed. A builder may be reluctant or slow to come back and correct unseen problems that pop up once the home is occupied. In cases where there is an arbitration clause in the contract and repairs are necessary, the cost in time, money, and stress can cause a homeowner to abandon efforts to have the builder remediate construction defects.

Always Consider Resale

Another reason for buying a new home – besides that great, new home smell? New homes often sell at higher resale values. As with a used car, a newer home will have more modern and updated features, and may look like more of a “sure thing” to the prospective buyer who doesn’t have a desire to work on a home themselves.

While new home building has been at a very slow pace during the recent real estate “recession”, the new home industry is soaring in 2020. Housing starts are up, new contracts are up and builders are positive about the near future.

Search for Newly Built Homes in Frederick MD

Suggested Reading: Why Have a Buyer’s Agent When Buying New Construction – by Bill Gassett, Metrowest Massachusetts Realtor®

Thanks to David Goldberg for an informational guest post!

David Goldberg –  Home Inspector

phone: 301-913-9213 
fax:  301-774-4554 
Reliable Home Services, Inc.
PO Box 5159
Laytonsville, MD 20882
ASHI Member #101584
MD License #29322

Did you know you can have Buyer Representation on a new construction home in Frederick Md? Search for Homes in Frederick Md