When searching for a new home, the first decision potential homebuyers need to make is whether to purchase a new or used home. At a glance, buying a used home seems like the most cost-effective option as used home mortgages tend to be less costly than new home mortgages.

Surprisingly, new construction can save you lots of money along the road of homeownership. Continue reading to learn how different features of a newly built home can save you money.

Energy-Efficiency
Older homes tend to be energy guzzlers and can drive up your utility bills. All homes constructed by LifeStyle Homes include the LifeStyle SunSmart℠ building package. LifeStyle Homes’ methodology challenges the standard of homebuilding. Our building package allows us to create homes that are 70% more energy-efficient than used homes.

LifeStyle Homes’ Energy-Saving Features
A few of the many features that make our construction methods superior and cut energy costs for homeowners include:

  • Hybrid heat pump water heater.This water heater is approximately 60% percent more efficient than a standard electric water heater.
  • Double-furred, R-7.1 interior wall insulation. A very cost-effective measure to improve not only the energy-efficiency of your home but its comfort level as well.
  • Energy Star® Double-Pane Low-Emissivity (Low-E) White Vinyl Windows & Energy Star® High-Performance Double-Pane Low-E Sliding-Glass Doors. Energy-efficient windows can prevent around 25% of heat gain and loss. This feature will save you money each month on heating and cooling costs.
  • Prepped for solar power. When purchasing a home, investing in a solar system can feel like a heavy lift. At LifeStyle, our homes adhere to strict energy-efficiency standards. So, whenever you are ready for your home to produce “zero-energy,” you can confidently and seamlessly make the transition.
  • Eco-appliances.The electrical appliances in your home account for 20% of your total energy use. Fortunately, new homes tend to include energy-efficient appliances. At LifeStyle, our homes feature EnergyStar®-certified appliances. These eco-conscious appliances allow you to save money without sacrificing performance or convenience.

Low-Cost Maintenance
Naturally, older homes require a bit more TLC as they adhered to dated construction practices while being built. When purchasing a new home, owners reap the rewards of improved construction methods. Apart from saving money, owners of new homes tend to have far fewer maintenance responsibilities, as well as the added security of knowing everything piece of their home is brand-new. When purchasing an older home, the owner should expect many surprise expenses.

Several undertakings that a homeowner has to tackle when purchasing a used home includes replacing:

–    Windows

–    Siding

–    Furnace

–    Hot water tank

–    Leaky roof

Used homeowners also tend to experience:

–    Structural problems

–    Roof problems

–    Plumbing pipe failure

–    Mold damage

–    Mildew damage

–    Termite damage

As a potential homeowner, there are many factors to consider before buying a home. A common myth is that it’s cheaper to buy a used home than to purchase a newly built home. However, when you factor in the costly maintenance of a used home and the cost-saving opportunities of a newly built home, investing in new construction can save you more money in the long run.

If you want to learn about the homebuilding process, read our article “The Home Building Process: Step-by-Step.”