If you’re ready to relocate, you might be torn between buying an existing house and building a new one. Each journey has its pros and cons. Understanding what each option entails will help you make a more informed decision based on your needs and preferences.

Pros of Buying a Home

First-time buyers tend to gravitate toward buying an existing house. If you’re not picky about your living space or you despise picking out tiles and paint colors, buying a home could be the right choice for you. More of the benefits include:

  • * Fast move-in time
  • * Established landscaping
  • * Potential to negotiate a lower sale price
  • * No need to purchase land, hire a builder, or make design choices
  • * Ability to make gradual upgrades as time and money allow

Cons of Buying a Home

Buying an existing home may be faster and sometimes cheaper than building a new one, but you most likely won’t get everything on your wish list. Competing with other buyers can also be stressful and disappointing if the seller doesn’t accept your bid. Here are some other cons of buying a home to consider:

  • * Potential compromises on features, home size, or location
  • * Competition with other buyers, especially in a seller’s market
  • * Older (and potentially problematic) appliances, plumbing, electrical wiring, roofing, foundation, and windows
  • * Potentially higher energy costs

Pros of Building a Home

Building a new home can be an adventure. Since you’re designing and building it from the ground up, you have the choice to customize any aspect you want, from room size and layout to materials and finishes. If you have unique features in mind that you can’t live without, you may want to consider building a home. Here are the benefits of choosing this route:

  • * Safe, updated, energy-efficient features and materials
  • * Pride in helping to create the home you live in
  • * All the accessibility features you want
  • * No immediate maintenance, repairs, or replacements to worry about
  • * No competition among other homebuyers
  • * Negotiable closing costs
  • * Builder warranty coverage

Cons of Building a Home

The biggest downside of building a home is that it will be months before you can move in. If you’re in a hurry to move, this simply may not be an option. Consider these additional disadvantages of building a home:

  • * Extended move-in timeline
  • * Potential for unexpected costs and price increases that could go over your budget
  • * The need to make endless decisions, depending on your level of involvement
  • * Under-established landscape

Whether you decide to buy or build, Vutech | Ruff, Corcoran Global Living has you covered. Our experienced real estate agents can help you find your dream home from among our listings of homes for sale in Columbus, OH. We also have a wide range of lots and new builds available, many of which are in spacious country settings or up-and-coming neighborhoods. For more information, please call us at 614-897-0618 or contact us online today.