The Value of New Home Construction
By
Michelle Anysz, Editor
 The true value of a new construction home is building it the way you want it. It truly represents building a ‘dream home’, one that you have personalized to be Your very own and filled with everything that you love.
As you browse through the New Homes & Ideas magazine, you will find several different new home subdivisions available and sorted by
location. Besides the fact that location is an important part in home value, there are other aspects to consider that will set your house apart from others and will increase the value of your home. These factors include incorporating upgrades to your new home or buying a home that incorporates ENERGY STAR qualifications.
After you have chosen the subdivision, lot and model of your new construction home, the onsite agent will explain the upgrade options available. New home builders in this area offer the most comprehensive upgrades to increase the value of your new home. Upgrades will allow you to customize your new home to your own style and will also increase the overall rate of return on investment.
“The true value of a new construction home is building it the way you want it,” states Allison Humphries, Design Studio Coordinator of the Design Center at Shea Homes in Morrisville, NC. “It truly represents building a ‘dream home’, one that you have personalized to be your very own and filled with everything that you love.”
New home construction is a great alternative to an existing home that is in need of renovations. “Sure it’s exciting to walk into an older home and think about all of the possibilities and potential that lies within it,” states Humphries. “But honestly, which projects are you really going to end up doing, how long will it take you to get around to it, and are you willing to deal with the mess and stress at that point? Why not have your dream home ready for you the day you move into it? You can spend your Saturday afternoon grilling out with family or friends on your new back deck rather than building one.”
Upgrade options include delivery and installation and are organized by the onsite Building Supervisor. Imagine moving into your new home complete the way that you want it to look – with no manual labor on your part! Another benefit is that the cost of the options can be included in your mortgage instead of paying out of pocket.
“Most new home builders require a deposit on upgrades but it is a low cost to pay instead of paying for all the upgrades out of pocket at one time,” states Humphries. “The primary rooms that home buyers choose to upgrade when buying a new construction home are the kitchen and the master bath.”
“Gourmet kitchens are in high demand,” states Humphries. “Some of the most popular upgrades include Stainless steel, split cooking and
double ovens. Granite countertops are considered top-of-the-line and truly withstand the test of time.”
Flooring is also a main area of focus with upgrading as there are so many options to choose from. Humphries explains “One of the most popular options is the wider 3.5 inch plank hardwood flooring as well as the choices in exotic hardwood flooring.”
Another valuable choice in upgrades include items that are low-maintenance. “A few popular low- maintenance items at Shea Homes
are Trex composite decking and engineered stone countertops,” states Humphries. “These items have been developed to make people’s lives easier – especially those who have active lifestyles and do not have the time to upkeep these items.”
The Value of ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes
Another valuable feature of new homes includes those who feature ENERGY STAR qualifications and products. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). ENERGY STAR qualified homes achieve energy savings through established, reliable building technologies.
Many of the new homes in the Triangle area currently feature Energy efficient and “green” upgrades. Several builders offer valuable products with energy savings that you will notice on your monthly bills. In addition, it is reassuring to know that these homes also include
protecting your family and the environment!
Anderson’s Peak Performance Homes offer homeowners ENERGY STAR high performance homes and a line of “green” products. For the second year in a row, Anderson Homes has been named an Energy Star Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. Anderson Homes was one of only ten builders selected in the country and the only homebuilder in the Carolinas to earn the award. 1st American Builders became an ENERGY STAR Partner in the Fall of 2006. “We have always been very conscious of building homes that were energy efficient. It was a natural next step for us to formally participate in the program,” states 1st American founder and CEO Michael Dean Chadwick.
Bost Custom Homes are energy efficient, have excellent durability, and are friendly towards the environment. Their plans include conserving water and energy, improving indoor air quality and protecting our environment. Some of the common features in their homes are masonry concrete, Low-E windows, concrete tile roofing, and rain water harvesting system for landscape irrigation, fountains, and toilet consumption.
Perry Builders became an ENERGY STAR Partner in April 2007. Every home that Perry builds must comply with the six ENERGY STAR regulations. Ryan Perry, co-owner of Perry Builders, felt that this was the right direction to move in to create a better built home. In the past Perry Builders were pretty strict with their building features and always passed code but having the ENERGY STAR partnership has made it official.
**This is just a partial list of builders in the Triangle area that are ENERGY STAR certified. For a full list visit www.energystar.gov and click on New Homes Partner Locator.**
Michelle Anysz is the Editor of New Homes & Ideas magazine
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