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