Should I buy a new home in 2022?
Talk about a question that has too many answers! Last year, the answer was unreservedly, “YES!”. Interest rates were unbelievably low. And even though home prices were rising, people were buying homes in droves.
This year? The situation is so much more complicated. Interest rates are rising, but they’re still historically low! (Seriously! Look at the history of interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.)
And as current rates re-adjust from being impossibly low to more aligned with average past rates, prospective buyers are concerned, confused, even ambivalent.
At JC Jackson Homes, we say RIGHT NOW is a great time to buy a new construction home! The sooner you buy, the better deal you’ll make. Rates will continue to rise. Home prices will continue to go up. So if you wait, it will cost you more. Buy now and you’ll start to gain equity right away. Your home is an investment… and it’s a great time to invest in your future!
Are you ready to buy?
The next question to ask is: “Am I ready to buy a home?” There are several ways of ascertaining this, by reviewing your job status, your overall stability, and of course, your financial situation.
How do you know if you are you in the right situation to buy a new home?
- You have a good credit rating that will enable you to get the best rate possible. A great credit score is at least 750. The National Association of Realtors offers insight into how your credit score is calculated.
- You have enough money for the down payment. While you don’t necessarily need a 20% down payment to buy a home, the more you can put down on the purchase, the lower your monthly mortgage payment will be. Remember: As the price of a home goes up, the amount required for a down payment increases as well. (Another reason not to wait!)
- You have job security. Make sure you can keep your income flowing to cover a monthly mortgage payment. (A home is a long-term investment!)
- You can afford to take care of a home. Purchasing a home is just the beginning of the total cost of ownership. Repairs, replacing systems, and any other renovations should be factored into your budget. It’s a no-win situation to put all your money into buying a home and then find that you can’t afford to take care of it! Thisis a big reason that people choose a new construction home that doesn’t have those maintenance costs.
Should I buy a new home or a resale home?
Once you determine that you’re in the best situation to purchase a home, you then need to look at the reasons why buying a new home is better than a resale.
Your next decision about buying a new home is whether you choose a new construction home or resale. An existing home might seem to be less expensive, but is it really?
An existing home has more “miles” on it. The roof might need replacing sooner rather than later. The exterior needs painting. The water heater is getting older every day. So, while you may technically pay less on a monthly mortgage payment, you will likely just be funneling those “savings” into the repair and maintenance of your resale home.
New construction homes, on the other hand, are brand new, from top to bottom. From the roof to the foundation, everything is covered by a warranty. Everything, including all of your appliances, come with a guarantee. You won’t have to worry about unwanted surprises that strain your bank account, because you’re covered.
A new construction home also has the most updated features. You’ll enjoy the benefits of the latest materials, products, construction methods, and energy efficiency. More energy efficiency = lower utility bills.
Once you add it up, you need to honestly consider how much you’re going to “save” by buying a pre-owned home.
Making it easier to buy new
Anyone in the market for a new home has heard the stories about how hard it is to get the home they want. Why would you get into a bidding war for a home you don’t love and then pay more than the asking price?
At JC Jackson Homes, we have homes that are available for quicker move-in. These homes have been pre-designed and are already under construction. They have a shorter build time, and the design and style choices have been pre-selected by our Design Specialist. Our quick move-in homes could be ready in one to six months depending on what stage the home is at in the building process.
If you don’t mind a longer wait, you can build a home on your land or ours. JC Jackson will build on land that you own virtually anywhere in Coastal Carolina. You can select a plan from our portfolio and make modifications if needed, or bring us your own idea. Our skilled staff can help you get started, providing tips on what to look for and how to get the most for your money. Get a home you’ll love built exactly where you want to live!
If you still have questions, get in touch with us and we’ll help you navigate your way through to a brand new JC Jackson home.
