Congratulations on taking the first big step towards buying your first home! This exciting process can be (literally) groundbreaking, especially if you are considering a new construction home.
Buying your first home can be equally exciting and daunting. Whether you’re debating on starting from scratch with a new build, or renovating a resale, you may not know where to start! While there are many pros to buying a new construction home, there are many things you should take into consideration before committing to a builder. From the unmatched joy of that “new home” smell to the consideration that you’ll need to find a builder who you trust, this article lays out the pros and cons that you should keep in mind when looking to buy a new home in Peterborough.
The Pros
1. Peterborough: A Growing City Surrounded by Nature
Maplewood’s growing community, Trails of Lily Lake, is nestled in Peterborough’s picturesque west-end. Seeped in History, Peterborough has a small-town feel with all of the amenities of a greater metropolitan city. Bordered by stretches of farmland and close-knit communities, the city of Peterborough is known for its breathtaking landscapes and interconnected canals, rivers, and lakes that make up the Trent-Severn Waterway. Conveniently access the Otonabee River and historic lift locks to explore the beauty of the Kawartha Lakes by boat, or take a stroll along the river shoreline.
That hardly encapsulates all of the outdoor recreation that Peterborough has to offer — from the scenic waterscapes of the Kawarthas to beautiful local parks and citywide pedestrian trails, you’ll find yourself exploring a new green space every weekend. With access to over 20 public beaches, several recreational fishing areas, and endless hiking, running, cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails, Peterborough offers a paradise to nature-lovers all year round. You’d be hard pressed to find another growing metropolis that offers all of those activities! And that’s just in Peterborough — hop in your car and take a short drive out of the city to experience the countless adventures awaiting you in the surrounding area. It’s a short two and a half hour drive to Algonquin Park, and if you don’t feel like travelling that far, the Kawarthas are nearby (so are the Warsaw Caves!).
Aside from its natural beauty and a wealth of outdoor recreational activities, Peterborough also offers new business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to thrive. The city is well-suited for growing families, with three school boards, a university and a college. Peterborough boasts a lively food scene with restaurants and cuisines to suit any palate. Into art and culture? With a thriving community of musicians and artisans, you’ll find no shortage of live shows and entertainment — at a far lower cost of larger neighbouring cities, like Toronto.
2. A Fresh Start
There’s something about that new-home smell that can’t be beat. It’s a sensory signifier that you’re moving into a new space that’s all your own. New homes are free of any remnants of owners’ past — smells or otherwise — offering you the ultimate clean slate. Like a blank canvas, you can customize and decorate to your heart’s content. Maintain a baseline of cleanliness with handy modern hacks, like stove gap covers and easy-to-clean tiling. When purchasing a previously owned home, you often have to deal with the baggage that comes with them, like outdated plumbing and bathroom fixtures, stained carpet, buckling roof shingles, or hidden patches of mold. Whether you are moving belongings from your previous residence or filling the space with all things new, you’ll feel the weight lift off your shoulders once you settle in and get organized.
3. The Freedom to Customize your Home
When it comes to customizing your space, you have free reign to make your home a reflection of you — but the options aren’t so endless as to be overwhelming. When you’re in the market for a new construction home, builders often have a selection of models, each with varying lots, layouts, and design features that make each model unique. There are a few differences — mainly benefits — when customizing a new build compared to a previously owned home. New construction homes usually include some customizations, and if you want to upgrade, the cost is typically nominal. However, customizations at a previously owned home are called renovations, and you’ll find yourself hiring contractors and spending countless hours as well as tens of thousands more. Another plus to buying a new construction home like Maplewood’s is that they come with modern fixtures, layout designs that maximize your space, have energy saving features, and include details as thoughtful as Soffit light plugs for exterior holiday lighting.
4. New Homes are Energy Efficient
New homes are outfitted with the latest technology and appliances. As such, they’re usually more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than older homes equipped with lagging, money-and-resource-sucking systems. From properly sealed doors, HRV’s and Drainwater heat recovery systems, to thermal windows and insulation, new homes have you covered environmentally and financially. New homes take into consideration sustainable design, and set your home up to leave as little a carbon footprint as possible. Overall energy consumption in new construction houses is much lower than older builds, and with utility costs rising as of this year, this is a major bonus. Lower gas and hydro bills mean less stress over extraneous expenses when you’re settling into your new space.
5. No Renovation or Repair Costs
Since newly built homes in Peterborough have to adhere to current Ontario building code, you won’t have any unpleasant surprises requiring last-minute repairs and renovations. No need to worry about hiring roofers, updating your electrical or plumbing, or underpinning and making other foundation repairs. This gives you ample room to breathe and focus on moving into your new house. Maplewood Homes also offers a seven year warranty, so if any issues do come up down the line, you’re covered.
The Cons
1. Finding the Right Home Builder
Entrusting someone to build the home that your family will be living in for years to come is a heady commitment. You need to ensure that your home builder has the experience, work ethic, loyalty and commitment to construct your dream home. You should also feel comfortable advocating for yourself and your family’s preferences when it comes to designing your home, so you need to work with someone you can communicate with easily. At Maplewood Homes, our builders have over 30 years of experience in the industry, ensuring high quality results.
2. Longer Move in Time
Because you’re building your home from scratch, you may not be able to move in as quickly as you would be able to settle into a pre-existing home. However, renovating a pre-existing home takes time too, so this drawback can apply to both types of home purchases.
3. Community Development
Moving into a newly built neighborhood means that you might miss out on the old-school charm of an established community. While overarching, tree-lined streets may be out of reach for a few years, neighborhood camaraderie doesn’t have to be. Establishing connections and solidifying roots takes time, but you have the opportunity to grow together in a new community finding its footing. New developments are thoughtfully designed with a balance of public and private space, so between your freshly tended backyard and the pothole-free streets, you may find that living in a newer development is just what you were looking for.
When considering whether or not to purchase a new build home or a resale, feel free to get in touch with Maplewood Homes for more information on the growing Trails of Lily Lake community. Purchasing your first home, while daunting, is incredibly exciting! You’re building the foundation for your family’s future and you deserve to create a space that feels authentic to you. Maplewood Homes is committed to turning that dream into a reality.