Why Are So Many Buyers Choosing New Builds in Columbus Right Now?

Have you noticed how hard it is to find the perfect house in Central Ohio lately? It feels like every time a nice home hits the market, it is gone in a flash! Because there are not enough existing homes for sale right now, many people are looking at another exciting option.

What if you could buy a brand-new home instead?

Lately, so many buyers are checking out new construction homes in Columbus Ohio. In places like Delaware County, Madison County, and Licking County (especially with the huge Intel "Silicon Heartland" buildout going on!), new neighborhoods are popping up everywhere.

Let’s talk about why so many people are choosing brand-new builds over older homes, and how some amazing builder deals might save you a ton of cash.

Is it cheaper to build or buy an existing home in Columbus Ohio?

This is the big question everyone is asking! The honest answer might surprise you.

At first glance, a brand-new home can look more expensive than an older home in classic neighborhoods like Clintonville or Grandview. But you have to look at the big picture!

Older homes have a lot of charm, but they can also come with some sneaky, high costs. For example:

• The Electric Bill Shock: Older houses often have drafty windows and old heating systems. A new build is highly energy-efficient, which keeps your monthly utility bills nice and low.

• The Repair Guessing Game: With an older home, you might need a new roof or a new furnace soon. With a new build, everything is brand new and usually comes with a warranty!

• Your Dream Layout: Instead of trying to knock down walls in an old house, new builds let you choose custom structural floor plans that fit your life perfectly from day one.

So, when you add up utility savings and lack of repairs, building can actually be much friendlier on your wallet than buying used!

Understanding new construction builder incentives in Central Ohio

Here is the coolest part about the market right now. Because builders want to sell their homes quickly, they are offering some incredibly sweet deals. These are called builder incentives.

Some of our awesome Central Ohio home builders—like Rockford Homes, Pulte, and M/I Homes—are doing something called a "rate buy-down."

What does that mean? It means the builder actually pays money to lower your mortgage interest rate!

Right now, normal mortgage rates might feel a bit high. But these builders are offering special lock-in rates between $5.5\%$ and $5.99\%$. That is way lower than standard market rates! A lower rate means your monthly payment is much smaller, saving you hundreds of dollars every single month.

These rate buy down incentives Columbus builders are offering are making it much easier for families to get into a home they love without stressing over monthly payments.

Who is building Columbus? (And where is everyone going?)

If you drive around Central Ohio right now, you will see construction signs everywhere! We have some incredible builders making gorgeous master-planned communities.

For example, M/I Homes and Pulte are building beautiful neighborhoods in massive developments like Jerome Village in Plain City or Darby Station. If you head up to Lewis Center in Delaware County, you can see Fischer Homes and Epcon Communities building at Evans Farm, which feels like a cozy, old-school front-porch town but with totally modern houses.

And don't forget Licking County! Builders are rushing to create new neighborhoods in Pataskala and Heath to keep up with everyone moving in for the Intel expansion.

Market Homes vs. Custom Builds: What is the difference?

When you start looking at new construction, you will hear builders use a few different terms. The two biggest ones are Market Homes and Custom Builds.

Let's break down exactly what those mean:

• Market Homes (Also called "Spec" or "Quick Move-In" homes): These are homes that the builder already started building before anyone bought them. The builder's professional design team chooses all the colors, tile, and finishes.

  • The big bonus: You do not have to wait 8 to 10 months for the home to be built! Many of these are completely finished or just a few weeks away from being ready. It is a brand-new home without the long wait.

• Custom Built Homes: This is where you start with a completely blank slate. You choose the exact lot in the neighborhood, pick the floor plan, and choose every single detail from the kitchen cabinets to the light switches. You can work with regional builders or luxury custom builders like Romanelli & Hughes or Diyanni Custom Homes.

  • The big bonus: You get exactly what you want, custom-tailored to your life. It takes longer to build, but the final product is a true reflection of you!

Have you driven through any of the new neighborhoods in Licking County or Delaware County lately? It is amazing to see how fast these communities are growing.

Which do you prefer: the historic charm of an older neighborhood, or the fresh, clean slate of a brand-new home?