To Buy or Build a Home in Charlotte … That is the Question

We’ve seen a rash of confusion in Charlotte buyers that is perfectly understandable in today’s real estate market. Buyers want a new home in Charlotte but, they’re just not sure whether it’s best to build a new one or buy an existing home. Today’s buyer wants NO renovations left to be done after the purchase – basically, they want move-in READY!

If your home search has you in a quandary as to whether buy a resale or take a few months to build, here are some pointers for you. The first thing you should do is identify your priorities. Do you dream of a customized house built from the ground up, or is living near all the action in your ideal neighborhood most important to you?

Before you make up your mind or put in an Offer, take the time to prioritize the following:

Location – Can you find land to build on in your desired location? If not, are you willing to consider a different area if it means you’ll get a house tailored to your specifications? If you’re extremely location focused, you might have to give up the idea of building your perfect house and concentrate on available homes in the area.
Timeline – How flexible is your timeline? If you absolutely need to be moved into your new home in Charlotte on a certain date, don’t even think about building. Building a house always seems to extend past the estimated completion date. If your timeline isn’t flexible, it might be time to start looking at existing homes.
Renovation – Are you willing to renovate an existing house? With property values staying consistently lower than the cost of new, custom construction, renovating an older house may get you a lot more bang for your buck. However, do your homework first to find out exactly what needs to be done and at what price because renovation costs can skyrocket if you run into unexpected problems.
Communication – Are you up for dealing with builder headaches? Yes, there will be a few! Sometimes, even the best contractors can have their moments. You’ll need to drop by the building site on a regular basis to make sure everything is going according to your plan–or if you’re building from a distance, ask your agent to be your eyes and ears ‘on the ground.’
Resale Value – Are you likely to re-sell your new property in the relatively near future? If so, you might be better off buying an existing house. In new construction neighborhoods, most potential buyers will be thinking about building instead of buying.

Ultimately, you can get a lot of satisfaction from either choice — just make sure you know what you’re getting in to. If you need help deciding whether to build or buy your new home in Charlotte, call me at (704) 491-3310 or email me at SavvyBroker@me.com.