1.New homes are easy to compare with other new homes in the market equating value to value. All the homes are the same age and the options are listed up-front with price breakdowns for comparative shopping.

2. Financing. Most homebuilders have one or two preferred lenders. They have researched the market and negotiated the best rates for their homes. Some builders include closing costs in the price, to enable you to buy with a less money up front.

3. In most new communities, buyers will be moving in with neighbors in similar circumstances. Sometimes with pre-owned homes, the buyers find themselves in the position of "new kids on the block" and are unable to quickly fit into long established social situations.

4. Builders of new homes offer a variety of functional floorplans to fit a buyer's requirements. If it's not a "spec home", the homebuilder may provide the opportunity to eliminate or add rooms, upgrade materials, include new architectural details and generally customize the home. With a new home, it's possible for the buyer to be "a decorator" before moving in. Choices of carpet, wall coverings, paint colors, lighting fixtures, window treatments, etc. enable the new home owners to live with their personal selections and not be restricted by the taste of the previous owner. Appliance manufacturers introduce new models every year and homebuilders are able to offer the latest state-of-the-art equipment at the time of completion of a new home. Because the builder buys for the entire production of new homes, his purchasing power can reduce the cost to the buyer. But buyers need to remember to add the desired options to the price before making a final decision. An extra fireplace in the master bedroom, a patio cover, and rear yard landscaping are just a few things that can bring the total price up fast'not to mention the trip to the design center!

5. Location. Being able to select the home site of choice may be very important to you. I know buyers who waited a year for a desired lot within the development (next to park, end of cul-de-sac, corner, etc.) In newly developed communities, buyers may have to buy new in order to fit their lifestyle. Developers and homebuilders offer a wide selection of sites including golf course, mountain view, hillside, and view lots.

6. Low maintenance is one of the most important features of new homes being built today. New technology in building materials has made the homes of the 1990s and today much more maintenance free, especially the exterior. New homes built today are required by law to meet stricter energy codes than homes built in the past. Many homebuilders use materials that are designed to exceed the strict limits in order to produce further savings for their owners.

7. Warranties. New home buyers are assured of at least a one year warranty on the home itself and one to five years on major appliances including air conditioning and heating systems. Many of today's homebuilders extend structural warranties for a full ten years usually underwritten by insurance companies.

For more information please contact me at susanmorrow@homesvegas.com