By Andrew Hill @ http://newhomes.move.com/

With the shaky economy and the burst of the housing bubble, many homeowners and potential homeowners are looking for ways to save money on their living expenses. But what should you do when you want/need to move, but can’t decide whether to buy new or used? If you have wrestled with factors such as cost, appliances, etc. then please consider the following suggestions when making your new/used decision. Although there isn’t a right or wrong answer to the question, there are better choices for certain people. If the following reasons are important to you, then you should consider buying a new home.

If you’re afraid of a hefty mortgage accompanying a new home, then listen up. Contrary to popular belief, new homes do not have to come with a higher price tag than used homes. Remember the mantra “location, location, location?” Depending on where your property is sitting, you very well could find a new property that meets all of your requirements and costs less than plenty of resales, simply because it’s in a newer neighborhood.

Other economic factors to consider are maintenance and energy efficiency. These hidden costs in resale properties will not have near the same impact when choosing a new home. With a new home you are buying more than a new roof, carpet, and walls. You’re making an investment in the appliances, hardware, and structure of your house. Purchasing new means less home improvement and repairs, which absorb both time and money. Many new appliances and building techniques can also be much more efficient than older forms of energy conservation. By using the proper insulation, HVAC, and building protocol, a new home will be much more efficient at conserving energy than a resale. This efficiency ultimately manifests itself in a reduction of gas, water, and electricity consumption, which means lower monthly utility bills!

Should you decide to buy a new home, there is one area that you must not overlook- and that is the need for a professional inspection. Though your home may be new, there is still the possibility of existing problems that passed the required of building codes, but could have potential consequences for homeowners. A home inspection is important for both new and used homes, so make sure you don’t skip this important step.

Whether you decide to buy new or used, having a Realtor guide you through the process is one of the best ways to make sure that your home purchase goes smoothly. And in case you didn’t know, Realtor’s commissions are paid by the seller/builder. This means that their fantastic services are available to you, the buyer, at no cost! For more information about buying new versus used, or about real estate in general, be sure to contact Phyllis Ghazi, today.