When it Comes to New Homes Oregon Buyers Spend Less on Maintenance
Portland, OR home builders want to share a little-known fact with you—new homes are simpler and less expensive to maintain than previously owned homes. When it comes to new homes Oregon residents may be surprised to discover that they’re the more affordable option in the long-run. Here’s why:
Lower operating costs: Many Portland, OR home builders incorporate high-efficiency windows, energy-saving appliances and quality insulation in new homes. Tighter building envelopes lead to highly efficient homes that don’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. When you pair this with energy-efficient and water-saving appliances and fixtures, you’ll see the savings when your monthly utility bills arrive.
Improved building materials: Many types of modern building materials, like exterior siding, are more durable and last longer than those found on older homes. In addition to lasting longer, the materials may be simpler to clean and maintain. With some materials—like certain types of decks, siding and fences—all you need is a spray of water from a garden hose to keep them clean and looking great.
Open floor plans and new hardware: In today’s new homes, Oregon residents find that open floor plans with smart storage solutions and modern wiring and plumbing make them move-in ready. This means that new homeowners don’t have to spend additional money to repaint the walls, hire contractors to fix or update the utilities, put in new flooring or update old cabinets and countertops. They can simply move in, unpack their boxes and get comfortable. If you don’t have to make any updates to a used home when you move in, it’s only a matter of years (if not months) before you do.
The American Housing Survey found that when you purchase a home that’s over five years old, you can expect to pay up to $100 per month on routine maintenance expenses. The owners of new homes, on the other hand, generally pay $25 or less a month on upkeep. As you search for a home, look at more than just the selling price. When you do the math, you may find that a new home may actually be the most affordable and realistic option for your budget.
George Hale is the owner of H. Hudson Homes. H. Hudson Homes specializes in building new modern homes in the Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas with an emphasis on cutting-edge design and sustainability.