Build or Buy: The Pros and Cons of Atlanta Home Projects
Your path to homeownership in Atlanta comes down to two options. You can build something brand new from the ground up or find an existing home that speaks to your heart. These routes can lead you to your dream home. Each one has its own set of benefits and challenges you'll need to think about.
Atlanta's neighborhoods tell different stories when it comes to real estate. You can find established areas like Buckhead right alongside upcoming locations on the outskirts of town. Your personal situation also plays a big part, such as how much money you can spend, when you need to move in, and what features you can't live without.
When you build, you can customize everything just the way you want it, but it takes more time. When you buy, you can move in faster but might need to compromise on some has-to-haves. The location possibilities might look different, too. New construction tends to happen in building areas. Existing homes give you more neighborhood options.
Ready to learn? Let's walk through everything about building versus buying in Atlanta. We'll cover what you'll spend, how long it takes, where you can live, and what your home could be worth down the road!
Pros of Building a New Home
When you build a new home in Atlanta, it puts you right in control of creating your perfect living space! You get to choose every single detail from how the rooms flow together down to how the cabinet design works with your style.
Your new Atlanta home comes with modern tech that makes life run smoother. You'll get useful features like thermostats that learn when you're home and security systems you can check from anywhere on your phone.
New construction saves you some real money on those monthly power bills. Your house will have energy-efficient windows that keep the heat where it belongs. Plus efficient insulation and modern heating and cooling systems work together to slash your energy costs!
When you buy new in Atlanta, the warranty protection has you completely covered for years. Most builders will fix any problems with parts and work for the first 12 months. Some businesses even protect serious structural parts for up to a decade - that means you won't get hit with giant repair bills out of nowhere.
When you live in a brand-new home, it's actually better for your health, too. Modern builders use materials that keep your indoor air fresh and clean. The paint won't give off harmful chemicals. New ventilation systems mean everyone in your family can breathe easier.
Fresh developments around Atlanta show just how well new construction keeps its price. People love the modern and innovative designs - that means you'll have an easier time selling down the road. Plus you won't need to spend much time updating features when that time comes.
Atlanta's housing market can give you lots of opportunities to build in neighborhoods that are taking off. Some areas see property values climb even before construction begins. Getting in at the start usually means watching your investment grow faster than you'd expect.
Modern homes let you add amenities you just won't find in older houses! You can have custom closet systems, a professional home office space, or indoor-outdoor living areas. These new layouts actually match how people live their lives instead of being stuck in the past!
Cons of Building a New Home
Building a new home in Atlanta has some excitement and comes with real challenges. You might not realize just how much money you'll actually need to spend. A common new single-family home in the Atlanta market will set you back around $435,000.
Your timeline for the build will probably stretch way longer than you imagine. Most new homes need at least six months before you can move in. Mother Nature and government red tape can push your move-in date even more away. Some wait over a year before they can finally move into their dream home!
Running a construction project creates way more stress than most people expect. You'll have endless options about every little detail, from picking the perfect floors to choosing just the right fixtures. Homeowners end up feeling swamped by the non-stop stream of decisions. After a while, the pressure to make every single choice starts to wear you down.
Money surprises pop up everywhere during new home construction. No matter how you plan everything out, extra costs seem to appear from nowhere. Tricky terrain problems or sudden jumps in material prices can quickly blow through your first budget. That's why builders recommend keeping an extra 10% tucked away for these unexpected problems.
Atlanta's building community has its own challenges. Finding the perfect location for your home gets tough - especially if you want to stay close to the city center. Recently, new builds take place on small lots crammed into dense neighborhoods. You'll probably spend years waiting for those baby trees and fresh landscaping to mature and look interesting.
Living near a construction site isn't peaceful or quiet. New neighborhoods mean you'll have to manage non-stop noise and building activity around you. Your property taxes might shoot up as more houses pop up nearby. Even brand-new homes can surprise you with settling problems or that new-paint smell that takes forever to fade.
Working with contractors and subcontractors needs your non-stop attention. Regular site visits and schedule tracking become part of your schedule. Different crews' communication problems can give you expensive mistakes. Recent supply chain problems have made everything even more tricky.
Pros of Buying an Existing Home
You can move into your existing Atlanta home right after closing. Everything you see is already ready to go! The previous owners have taken care of the repairs. The utilities are up and running, too. Instead of waiting months for builders to finish your new house, you can start enjoying your new place instantly.
Your existing Atlanta home will probably be in a well-established neighborhood with beautiful mature trees and pristine landscaping. You'll love having amenities close by and neighbors who care about their community! Plus, you'll know what to expect since the neighborhood's character and home values are set.
You'll save some cash when you buy an existing Atlanta home. The average price runs about $265,600 compared to $319,200 for new construction. That puts an extra $50,000 in your pocket right from day one! Just think about the renovations or updates you could do with that money.
Your older Atlanta home might come with architectural features that new houses just can't match. You'll probably get original hardwood floors and fancy crown molding or a charming vintage fireplace. Most older homes also sit on bigger lots with beautiful mature gardens. Each room tells its own story through design touches and quality craftsmanship.
You'll have more flexibility to negotiate the price on an existing Atlanta home. The sellers might need to move faster or have other reasons to accept a lower offer from you. Some good deals pop up in neighborhoods that are just starting to become popular. Market timing and conditions might work in your favor.
Your existing Atlanta home has already proven it can manage whatever weather comes its way. It has survived storms and seasonal changes over the years. Older homes were built with better materials that builders don't use anymore. The good construction has passed the test of time.
You'll find existing homes in every Atlanta location, each giving you something. Some areas show beautiful historic architecture while others put you close to modern conveniences. Different neighborhoods fit different lifestyles and budgets well. With options available, you're going to find what you're looking for.
Cons of Buying an Existing Home
Older homes in Atlanta might feel like a worthwhile deal! But watch out for some common problems that could end up costing you big. These older homes usually need serious upgrades to keep up with how people live too. What starts as an easy renovation project can turn into a big drain on your wallet.
You might not place the problems during your first look at the house. The electrical system probably won't manage your modern devices and tech needs. Those old pipes could be rusting away where you can't see them. That can give you some unpleasant surprises down the road!
The clay-heavy soil in Atlanta does a number on house foundations - those small cracks in the walls might not look like much now. But give it time and you'll be dealing with serious structural problems that'll set you back thousands of dollars.
Modern living just doesn't fit well with these older floor plans. You'll probably feel cramped with those small closets. That closed-off kitchen won't work for all your family gatherings. Making changes to the layout is not easy either. You have to worry about serious construction work.
Your utility bills will probably shock you, too. Those old windows let out all your expensive heated and cooled air. The insulation falls far below standards. Your AC unit will be working overtime during those scorching Atlanta summers. That means higher energy costs for you.
Older Atlanta homes usually come with some hazardous additions - lead paint and asbestos were pretty common before 1978. Removing these materials is not a DIY job either. You'll need contractors and the whole process takes time and money.
Those beautiful old trees lining your street might look charming. But they can give you real problems. The roots love to get in the way of your foundation and pipes underground. What can add character to your neighborhood could actually be destroying your home's structure.
Insurance businesses aren't big fans of older homes either. They know all about those aging systems and what could go wrong. You'll end up paying more for coverage just because your house has been around longer.
Every renovation project seems to show another problem in these older homes. You might start updating your kitchen just to find water damage behind the walls. Before long your easy remodel costs two or three times what you planned.
Cost Comparison: Build vs. Buy
When you start to build a new home in Atlanta, it all starts with the land purchases. These can take a giant bite out of your budget based on your preferred neighborhood. You'll need between $283,000 and $433,000 for the total build when covering everything from bottom to top.
You'll pay around $127 per square foot for construction in Atlanta recently. Your money will mostly go toward the materials (50%) and the labor costs (40%). The city also needs some permits. You'll need to set aside at least $3,000 for those fees too.
Money for new construction isn't as easy as grabbing a regular mortgage. Your construction loan will probably come with steeper interest rates. You'll need to pay it back faster. Make sure you're prepared to manage these payments while your house is going up.
An existing Atlanta home runs about $421,000 right now - this path usually means spending less at first since you're not dealing with separate land and building costs. Just remember that you might need extra cash to fix up the property after you get the keys.
The renovation costs on existing homes can add up. Quick updates might set you back 5% of what you paid. Serious overhauls could cost up to 20%. In real numbers, you're looking at anywhere from $21,000 to $84,000 to get your existing house right!
The time change between these options matters. A new build usually needs 9 to 12 months before you can move in. Buying an existing home lets you settle in much quicker - usually within a couple of months.
New construction comes with benefits that improve your wallet over time. Your energy bills will probably be lower, and you won't need to fix much at first. Everything comes with a warranty, too. While existing homes might need repairs sooner, they usually sit in beautiful neighborhoods where trees and gardens are already mature.
Professional help can add another expense layer to your build. Expect to pay architects and engineers about 8 to 15 percent of your total costs. These experts make sure everything follows local rules, and your home turns out as you imagined.
Moving to Atlanta?
Your choice between building or buying comes down to your priorities! When you build, you can get modern features, personal touches, and everything designed just for you. But you'll need extra time, more money, and way more patience than you might think. When you buy an existing home, it means you can move instantly and usually spend less money, too. Yet you might need to make some trade-offs on the features you want. Or you might need to manage fixing up older sections of the house.
Think about what matters to you in a home! Maybe you're cool with waiting longer and spending extra cash to build your dream house from scratch. Or maybe you would save some time and money by picking a house that's already built in a neighborhood you love. The right choice depends on what works best for your life right now!
Atlanta is a fun city where each neighborhood feels like its own little world. Every street corner holds something for you to find. You'll want someone who knows their way around to help you find your perfect place here. That's what we do at Justin Landis Group.
Whether you're dreaming of a suburban home or a place right in the middle of Atlanta's great streets, our team knows how to match you with the right home. Ready to start the process? The Justin Landis Group is here to make your dream home a reality! Contact us today.