The decision to go with a ready-built home over an existing home generally comes after a lot of careful consideration. If you’re currently in the throes of figuring out what the best option is for you, we thought we’d compile the key differences between them that tend to solidify the decision for ready-built. With each having their own set of advantages and considerations, it’s less about the pros and cons being universal, and more about looking at the benefits and seeing how closely they align with your personal needs, circumstances, and desires for the future. Let’s get started…
What is the difference between ready built and existing homes?
Ready-built homes are brand new homes that are either already built, or are bought from a plan, with a pre-allocated lot of land, that you can place a deposit on to secure the purchase. Existing homes are properties that are built and have had at least one (though usually multiple) occupant.
What are the benefits of a ready-built property?
Reliable newness
When you buy a ready-built home, you know that everything is brand-new and you will be the first to use and live in the property. These homes can offer the most up-to-date design, materials, amenities, appliances and layout that suits modern family living. There’s also peace of mind in knowing that everything is new, without any wear and tear. Additionally, Complete Homes are part of the NEX Building Group, giving even greater peace of mind that it will not just be new, but presented at a very high standard.
While existing homes can certainly still be new homes, there is no getting around the notion of it having been lived in to some extent. Whether an existing home is 100 years old or one year old, there’s far less guarantees and understanding around the wear on the home, and how it was treated prior to your purchase. Sometimes this can amount to surface level damage, but sometimes this can be hidden and costly.
Compliance to quality
Ready-built properties are bound by current building codes and safety standards, that can’t be achieved on a lot of existing properties (depending on year of build). New homes comply with the latest regulations and guidelines set by national and local authority boards, ensuring the structural integrity, electrical wiring and general safety is all above board. You can have far greater confidence with the safety of your family, and the ongoing structure of your home, with a newly built dwelling that won’t offer surprise sub par workman- or tradesman-ship.
Maintenance
Due to the newness of ready-built homes, there is low to no additional maintenance once you move in. You can rest assured that everything is in perfect, unused condition and will unlikely require maintenance for many years to come. It also puts maintenance in your control; you aren’t risking previous owners dropping the ball or poorly DIY’ing important areas of maintenance that will cost you.
Existing homes have this risk. Even the most beautifully presented existing homes come with the understanding that you can never have complete assurance of how the home has been maintained in its lifetime before your ownership.
Considered and carefully designed neighbourhoods
Ready-built homes also come with ready built neighbourhoods. With high rental yield and family-focussed infrastructure and design with parks, schools and amenities newly built and close-by, it’s hard to beat it for convenience and community. Typically, ready built homes in these neighbourhoods remain affordable.
Existing homes can also be bought based on the neighbourhood they reside; however, it can take a lot of time, effort and money to find the ‘worst house on the best street’ just to be accessible. Developed appealing neighbourhoods dense with existing homes often are harder to secure and come with a much greater price tag.
Deciding between a ready-built and an existing home can take a good amount of consideration. However, there’s no denying the increasing appeal of ready-built homes for their quality, newness, long term convenience, and for the lifestyle they can offer either you and your family, or the rental market.
Explore our range of ready built homes today…