Deciding whether to purchase a new or resale home can be difficult. When purchasing a resale home, the buyer is able to view the home before finalizing the transaction. Many resale homeowners enjoy benefits such as mature landscaping and proximity to major amenities like schools, transportation and shopping plazas that new homes do not always offer. Conversely, however, there are also many advantages to purchasing a new home from a builder. This column highlights some of these advantages.

There is something special about moving into a brand new home. Many equate a new home with a new car. There’s an unmistakeable smell with something that is brand new. The fresh paint and new wood in a new home provide a measure of cleanliness that is not typical of resale homes. Additionally, when one purchases a new home, it is the buyer who chooses the size, design and layout. With a resale home, there are no such choices.

New homes are built with state-of-the-art materials and modern construction techniques, which can mean less maintenance and fewer repairs. They are also more energy efficient because up-to-date furnaces, windows and ventilation systems are installed, resulting in lower utility bills. And new homes are better designed for the use of the most modern and sophisticated appliances.

Open and imaginative designs are more typically found in newly built homes. More windows -- including skylights and atriums –result in more sunlight. Floor plans often maximize space and position rooms to accommodate today’s lifestyles. For example, new homes typically position the kitchen and family room together, enabling parents to work in the kitchen and keep an eye on the children at the same time.

Unlike resale homes, new homes come with a warranty. This warranty provides peace of mind and protection for problems with electrical and plumbing systems, the structure of a home and the workmanship in the home. In addition to this coverage, deposit protection is available when a homebuyer purchases a new home from a builder in the province of Ontario.

Because new homes often include larger closets, garages, kitchens and family living rooms, they are able to meet the needs of growing families. Additionally, many builders employ open concept designs that make interiors seem more spacious. And new homes are quite safe because by law, they must accommodate smoke detectors and meet electrical and other safety-related requirements.

The owners of newly built homes enjoy new parks, schools, walkways and recreational facilities. They also become part of a typically young, vibrant and growing community.

Deciding whether to purchase a new or resale home is a major decision. Purchasing a newly built home offers many unique advantages that cannot be overlooked.