5 Things to Consider When Buying A New Home

0
This post is sponsored by Kolter Homes; all opinions expressed are our own.

Buying a new home, or building one from the ground up, is probably one of the most exciting, and scary, things you can do as an adult. There are so many things to take into consideration, and so many different builders, communities, and neighborhoods to choose from! Where does one even start? For busy parents, it can be overwhelming, but we’ve come up with a simple list that will hopefully make the process much easier.

Here are five of the most important factors to consider when buying a brand new home:

  1. Community: Do you want to be surrounded by other homes and people, or do you prefer a more isolated home, with lots of privacy and quiet? Are amenities such as a pool, playground, and even a fitness area important factors in your decision? For many families, especially those with children, having these amenities available  are key components in their decision on where to buy.
  2. Schools: Whether you’re moving locally or from out-of-state, school districts are one of the most important things that parents look at when buying a new home. Even if you don’t have kids, but plan to in the near future, the school district can be a make or break decision. 
  3. Budget: Building a custom home from the ground up, or even just selecting a house in a new home community, can get very expensive, very fast. Having a set budget (with some wiggle room of course) is so important, as is having a builder who understands that and will not try and pressure you to exceed your financial comfort level. 
  4. Options: If you are buying or building a new home, chances are that you would like to select many of the features yourself, and have plenty of options to choose from. From the layout of the house to natural light, the number of levels, and the surrounding green space, you want to make sure that you’re choosing things that are appropriate for your family, and that you’ll love for a very long time.
  5. Time: When deciding to buy a new home, or build from the ground up, one of the most important things to consider is how much time you have. Sometimes constructing from the ground up just isn’t practical for your family, and a move-in ready home makes more sense. Working closely with a builder and design team that you trust is essential in making a stressful time run smooth. 

Kolter Homes; Taking your needs into account

Kolter Homes, builders of the new home community The Ponds, located in Summerville, think about all of these things when designing their new homes. They knew that building their community in Dorchester District Two schools would draw families in from far and wide, as it is one of the most sought-after school districts in South Carolina, as well as one of the most highly rated. They also knew that in addition to schools, a community thrives with family-friendly businesses in it. The onsite YMCA at The Ponds offers so much for families in the way of fitness, recreation, and health-related activities and programs. Preserved land means that you can enjoy and live among the centuries-old moss-draped trees, while only being a short drive from downtown Charleston and the beaches. 

There wasn’t a detail that was overlooked when designing The Ponds community. If you’re a family with young kids, the interactive treehouse structure is one that will keep the kiddos occupied for hours! Cool off during the hot summers in the neighborhood pool, and enjoy programs at the amphitheater in the evenings. Empty nesters will love the community coffee house and social center. There is really something for everyone

Knowing that building a new home can be overwhelming, Kolter aims to make the process as simple as possible for busy parents. With their easy to follow website, you can see available homesites, different floor plans (20+ to choose from!), community amenities, and even schedule your own tour! The Kolter Homes Design Gallery lets you pick each finish and personalize your new house so that it feels like YOUR home. By filling out the “Dare to Compare” form on their website and answering questions specific to your needs, you’ll get a personalized comparison and more information on the style of home that might work best for you. Their “Home Shopping Checklist” is an easy visual for seeing what The Ponds offers and whether it checks the boxes for your needs. 

Instead of looking at the new home buying process as overwhelming and daunting, think of it as a start to an exciting new chapter in your family’s lives!

What tips would you offer new home buyers? Please share them in the comments!