When you are planning a move, you usually have a choice between an older resale home or a new construction home.

Buying your home is an important financial and lifestyle decision, which means you have to do research and planning.

Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, Az, and I will explore the pros and cons of both options to help you make an informed decision.

The choice of a new or used home is ultimately a matter of preference and necessity. Along with location, housing needs and price, a home’s age and state of livability will play a major role in both your immediate homebuying and long-term homeownership experiences.

These are important points to ponder:

•  Lifestyle limits
•  Location of house and condition of support infrastructure
•  Future repairs and upgrading to meet local building codes
•  Efficiency, insulation, heating & cooling... Cost of maintenance
•  New home warranty vs old home warranty purchase
•  Is a remodel necessary?  Major renovations?
•  Mature landscaping – nearing end-of-life?
•  Finishes – window, floor, back-splashes, baths/showers, laundry, etc.
•  Roof – Greater than 10-15 years is a concern
•  Lighting – Incandescent vs. LED
•  Presence of lead paint or asbestos?
•  Aluminum wiring vs. copper
•  Plastic vs. galvanized vs. copper plumbing
•  Plumbing – copper vs. plastic piping?
•  Your lifestyle

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com