| Home maintenance and repair is an important | | | | difficult. Designing your new home with wireless |
| factor to take into consideration when buying a | | | | Internet access and surround sound in mind can |
| home. New homes require only a fraction of the | | | | be far easier than installing in an older home. |
| upkeep that older homes do, and many times | | | | Energy efficiency has gained more importance in |
| offer complete warranties covering both inside | | | | recent years. Energy efficient solutions |
| and outside the house. While resale homes | | | | incorporated in new homes can help reduce |
| occasionally offer warranties, they usually cover | | | | energy costs and utility bills, which can quickly |
| limited items for one year after purchase. The | | | | offset the cost of a new home. |
| extended warranties offered in new construction | | | | Materials found in older homes can be hazardous |
| can help you avoid the stress and high costs of | | | | to your health. From asbestos insulation to |
| major home repairs. | | | | lead-based paint, the materials found in resale |
| New homes also provide a number of | | | | houses can be costly, if not impossible, to replace. |
| opportunities to reflect your personality. One of | | | | New homes are subject to current, stringent |
| the main attractions in building or buying a new | | | | building codes and safety requirements, protecting |
| home is the customization. Choosing your home's | | | | you and your family from hazardous materials. |
| fixtures, carpet, wall covering and counter tops | | | | While a new home can seem like more of an |
| will not only showcase your unique style, but also | | | | investment than you're willing to make, once you |
| make your new home more comfortable. | | | | consider all of the hidden costs of resale homes -- |
| Technological advances also make buying a new | | | | you may actually save by purchasing the home |
| home more appealing. Retrofitting a resale with | | | | you've always wanted. |
| today's new technologies can be costly and | | | | |