When you realize it’s time to move, one of the first things you need to decide is whether you’re going to buy an existing home or build a new one. There are certainly plenty of factors to consider as you make your choice, including cost, time, and how much involvement you want in the design process. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not sure which is the right option for you.
Luckily, the pros here at Davis & Reed Homes are here to help. We’ve put together this guide on the differences between buying and building a home in the Houston, TX area. Once you’re done reading, we’re confident that you’ll have all the information you need to make the right decision.
The Cost of Buying Versus Building
First things first, let’s compare the costs of both buying and building a home in Greater Houston. According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home in the Houston market was $355k in July 2024. Conversely, the median cost of building a home in Houston is just over $263k, though land costs and other expenses can increase this price. So, while it may seem counterintuitive, building a home in Houston may be less expensive than buying one.
Design Flexibility
Having a home built instead of buying an existing one allows you to choose the layout and features of your new home, right down to the smallest of details. You can have your home built in a more traditional or modern style and personalize all accessories. The possibilities are whatever you’d like them to be.
On the other hand, if you choose to buy an already existing home, you’re stuck with whatever the previous owner picked. Changing these features will often involve a long, expensive construction process. You may have to delay your move-in date for weeks or months (paying for other housing in the meantime) or else put up with living in a construction zone. Building a new home is thus much more convenient than buying one.
Long-Term Benefits
Newly built homes often use the most technologically advanced building materials, which are usually more energy efficient. Therefore, you will most likely pay less on your monthly utility bills if you choose to build. And since everything used in construction is new, you’ll pay less in repair and maintenance costs with a home that’s built just for you. Building a home instead of buying an existing one will usually give you a higher resale value as well.
No Compromises or Bidding Wars
When you choose to have a home built instead of buying an existing one, you don’t have to settle, as each and every aspect of your new home is chosen by you. You also won’t have to spend any time scouring the current market listings to see what homes for sale meet your criteria. Most importantly, you won’t have to worry about touring homes endlessly, falling in love with a home only to lose it in a bidding war, or ending up with a home with problems that make it worth much less than you paid for it. You simply get the home you want, on your terms and your timetable.
Davis & Reed Homes – the Construction Contractor to Build Your Houston-Area Home
Davis & Reed Homes is a team of new construction contractors that builds both fully and semi-custom homes. If you already know every little thing you want in a custom home, we can make it happen. If you need some help getting started, we offer several pre-designed home layouts that can be customized to your liking. We construct barndominiums and traditional homes, including tiny homes. If you need help finding the perfect plot of land on which to build, we can assist with that too.
Davis & Reed Homes can take care of each part of the project, so you’ll only have one point of contact throughout the build. Locally and family owned, we are never far away should you need something, and you can always expect friendly and helpful service. Davis & Reed Homes emphasizes getting to know our clients, so we can deliver the products and services that best meet their needs. We use high-quality LP products in construction, which help to ensure durability and longevity. Our team’s experience and knowledge allow us to work directly alongside clients, making their home dreams come true.
Start Building Your Houston Home
If you’re ready to start building your dream home in Greater Houston, Davis & Reed Homes is the team of full-service construction contractors to choose. We can also assist people looking to have a home built in Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. Contact us by phone or by filling out the contact form to get started with a consultation.