Buyers of new US homes gain a financial advantage during the first decade of ownership, compared with those purchasing existing houses, as energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs help reduce expenses, a report by News Corp's (NWS, NWSA) Realtor.com showed Thursday.
A buyer of an average new home can expect to save $25,335 over the first 10 years of ownership, compared with the purchaser of a 20-year-old house. The savings in a newly constructed home are driven by fewer major repairs and lower energy bills, according to a report by the online real estate portal.
"Homeownership is not a one-time expense, and the ongoing costs of owning a home are where new construction really shines," Realtor.com Senior Economist Joel Berner said.
In 16 of the top 300 US metropolitan areas, the cost savings of purchasing new construction over a decade surpass the pricing gap between the median new-construction listing and the median existing-home listing, according to the report.
"These savings estimates are actually conservative," Berner said. "Builder warranties frequently cover (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) repairs in the early years, meaning new construction buyers often pay nothing out of pocket."
Massachusetts leads the list with $38,927 in new-construction savings over a 10-year period, as New England's strict building codes and harsh winters outperform Southern markets in energy efficiency gains, the report said.
Considering the mortgage rate buydowns builders have been offering -- which can translate to about $30,000 in savings over a decade -- the total financial advantage of purchasing new homes becomes "even more substantial," Berner said.
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