(NAPSA)—Increasingly, to get the home of their dreams, homebuyers are purchasing a newly constructed home. With advances in design and construction coupled with low mortgage rates and historically low prices, many shoppers are finding new-construction homes offer an opportunity to get more for their dollar. With the affordability of new construction today, buyers are increasingly weighing the benefits of new vs. resale homes. With that in mind, the experts at Pulte Homes share the top five reasons buyers are choosing new: 1. Customization and decoration. One of the biggest advantages of buying a new homeis the ability to decorate it from the beginning exactly the way you want. As the homeowner, you set the rules. Just ask Ashley and Steven Kitzberger, who bypassed 15 used homes before purchasing a new homein Pulte Homes’ Montrose Park community in Copley Township, a suburb of Akron, Ohio. Their deciding factor? The ability to hand-select interior finishes andfeatures. “We really liked being able to pick out our cabinets, countertops and flooring and having everything just the way we wantedit when we moved in,” said Ashley Kitzberger. “We also purchased a new home because of the floor plans, which were open, airy and made good use of the space within the home. Nine-foot ceilings were also standard, which is something we wanted and were not able to find in many older homes.” 2. Latest architectural designs and modernization. According to Scott Thomas, national director of product development for Pulte Homes, as consumer trends and tastes evolve, home builders can nimbly respond with new floor plans that provide open kitchens, great rooms and New homesthatfeature intuitive, open floor plans often makea better use of space than older homes. walk-in closets to accommodate customers’ needs and even provide customization in many cases. Said Thomas, “People’s lifestyles are different today, especially given how much technology has impacted the way we use space.” 3. Energy efficiency. Advances in key components such as windows, heating and cooling systems and insulation mean that new homes consume roughly half as much energy as homes built prior to 1980. This translates into lower utility bills, higher resale value and a more eco-friendly home. 4, Builder warranty. Rep- utable builders will provide a builder warranty when you purchase a new home, which is a com- mitment that materials and workmanship are warranted for a specific period of time after closing. The warranty typically covers the overall structure, mechanical systems and other elements of the home. Warranty periods can last up to 10 years. 5. Better quality and value. New homes require less maintenance and offer the quality of advanced building materials, such as roofing, flooring, plumbing fixtures and countertops, with enhanced performance characteristics and lower maintenance costs. For more information, visit www.pultehomes.com or call (866) 460-0553.
