Buying a Gulf Shores home presents a major choice right off the bat. Buy a new home, 
or one that has been previously owned? You may want to consider the following factors when making a decision on this all-important question.
Planning and Design Flexibility
Buying a Gulf Shores home that hasn’t been built yet provides a greater amount of flexibility and customization options. Buyers who purchase land and build a house from scratch have complete control over the planning, design and finishing of the home, which provides the greatest degree of flexibility and customization.
If you’re buying a Gulf Shores home sold by a builder or developer, depending on the stage of development, you may be able to choose from a variety of floor plans, exterior finishes, flooring options, paint colors, bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, and lighting fixtures.
Buyers of previously owned homes don’t have this flexibility, since someone else made all the decisions as to what that particular home would have when it was built.
Buying a Gulf Shores Home – Layout and Maintenance
Buyers frequently have a particular layout style in mind when looking for a home, whether it’s a large, open floor plan, or a home with distinct and separate living spaces. Newer homes reflect current trends in layouts, including larger kitchen and dining areas, high ceilings, increased closet space and more bathrooms.
Older homes may suffer from functional obsolescence with outdated layout, design and style features. For example, many older homes lack the “flow” that modern homes have, making it difficult to get from one room to the next.
Many older homes may only have one bathroom, regardless of the number of bedrooms. However, the pro’s of buying a pre-owned home is, the landscaping is mature, and you don’t have to nurse and care for a new lawn, trees and shrubbery.
Those buying a new home often do so with the intention of avoiding time-consuming upkeep and costly repairs. New homes are usually free of the structural defects – such as leaky roofs and cracking foundations – common in older homes. But just because you’re buying a new home, you still should have a home inspection done, just to make sure the builder didn’t shortcut somewhere that you might not see without a professional who knows what to look for.
All homes require routine maintenance, but a new home should not require any major work for a number of years.
Older homes do require more time and attention, but many buyers feel the extra effort is worth it to be in a home with more charm than newer homes tend to offer.
Warranties When Buying a Gulf Shores Home
Builders usually provide warranties on brand new homes, covering any defects in construction. Warranties vary, but most last up to 10 years for certain items. Warranties like this provide a great deal of peace of mind for new home buyers.
Many previously owned homes are also able to get home warranties that will cover certain repairs during the warranty period. Buyers should know, whether new or previously owned, home warranties are limited. They do not cover every defect that might occur in the home. Be sure to read the fine print of your warranty.