So you’re ready to find your Austin dream home! Anyone who has ever bought a home knows that while this journey can be stressful and overwhelming, it is always exciting. Especially in an area like Austin, where the city and its surroundings are awash with culture, the prospect of finding a permanent piece of the action is the stuff of dreams.
But is buying a resale house the way to go? Or should you consider building a custom home? When it comes to your Austin home, you want to get it right on the first attempt, so let’s look at some of the common factors that come into play for those looking to settle down in the Texas capital.
Save When You Spend Now
The biggest appeal of buying an existing house is the short-term savings. When you buy, you know what you’re getting, and you’re getting it relatively quickly. As long as you have a good realtor, shopping for homes can be a fun way to explore the city after you’ve settled on a budget and the kind of house you want to use it for. Austin will likely offer plenty of options to fit what you’re looking for, with many unique and impressive designs.
Of course, any time you enter into negotiations for a house, costs often soon exceed the original listing price. Once your house is appraised, you and the seller will be able to see what work needs to be done, if any, and adjust the price accordingly. Beyond that, however, most of the initial cost is set, and on average the cost of buying a home will be less than building one. So, if your primary focus is saving money right now, then buying is the way to go.
Settle Down, but Never Settle
On the other hand, while Greater Austin can give you plenty of great options, buying can come with some headaches. Finding the right place is wonderful, but making an offer can be a competitive process (especially in Austin)—one that often ends in heartache. Few things are worse for potential buyers than falling in love with a house only to see it go to someone else.
Even if your offer is accepted, there’s no guarantee that you will find a truly perfect house. You might find something that fits a lot of your criteria, but when it comes to your dream home you shouldn’t have to settle.
Future value is perhaps the biggest reason to reconsider buying an existing home. Even if you find a house you want, chances are that something will need to change down the road. Whether that’s expanded space, updates to the plumbing or foundation, or even just a facelift to fit with the times, buying increases the likelihood of needing to spend more money at a later time. You’ll save now, but over time the cost associated with buying a home can increase significantly.
The Custom Option
Whether you decide to buy a resale home or build your own, there’s really no losing when you choose to make your home around Austin. It’s a great place to live and raise a family, and the property taxes make it a great place to be a homeowner. But if saving money is your biggest reason to buy, building a custom home may be your best option since you can avoid having to make major changes to the home down the road.
Mangum Builders is well versed in finding savings now and in future. As experienced Austin custom home builders, we can build you a home that perfectly fits your dreams, ensuring that you have all the value you want in a house. Not only do we provide a wealth of expertise about new home construction, but our carefully curated network of local vendors can address your needs through every step of the process.
We’ll help you get the maximum value from your new home. Contact us to get started today!