Relocating to Raleigh > New Construction vs. Resale

New Construction vs. Resale: Choosing the Right Home in the Triangle

New construction makes up a large share of listings in many Triangle towns, including Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Wendell, Rolesville, Clayton and Pittsboro. For relocating buyers, a new home can be appealing, but the process is different from buying an existing home. Here is how the two compare.

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Side by Side

Bring Your Own Agent to the Builder

The salesperson in a model home works for the builder. Many builders offer to pay a buyer's agent fee, but policies vary, and you usually need to register your agent on your first visit. Before you walk into a model home, call us so we can be listed as your agent and confirm how compensation will be handled under your buyer agreement. We help you compare builders, review the contract and upgrade pricing, and ask about the incentives available that month. See how working with a buyer's agent works in North Carolina.

Inspect a New Home Anyway

New does not mean flawless. We recommend independent inspections at key stages, often a pre-drywall inspection and a final inspection before closing, and an inspection before the one-year warranty ends. Inspectors regularly find items like missing insulation, grading that sends water toward the house and roofing details that need correcting.

Questions to Ask Any Builder

• What is included in the base price, and what are the most common upgrades actually costing buyers?
• What are the incentives, and are they tied to using the builder's lender or attorney?
• What warranty is included, and how are warranty claims handled?
• What is planned for the remaining phases and the land around the community?
• What are the HOA dues now, and what is the budget once the community is finished?
• Is the home on public water and sewer, or well and septic?

Our Take

Neither choice is better for everyone. Relocating buyers who need a firm move-in date often like a spec home that is already finished. Buyers who want a larger lot, mature trees or a shorter commute often find it in a resale home. We help you compare both on the same list so you can decide with real numbers.

Talk with Scott before you visit a model home.

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