2023 hasn’t been the easiest year in Sarasota real estate – inventory is low, interest rates are high, and more people are moving to the Sunshine State every day. Finding a home that meets your criteria may be more challenging than in recent years, but it can be done. You may wonder if it would be easier to build a new custom home, and you aren’t alone. Many savvy homebuyers are considering all their options to have the home of their dreams here in the Sarasota area. Here are some reasons why considering new home construction might be the ideal way to beat a difficult real estate market.

Many buyers – especially first-time homebuyers – assume that purchasing a resale is the best financial decision because new homes are typically attached to a higher price tag. This may be true in many scenarios, but today’s competitive market for real estate buyers makes a custom home build more attractive for many reasons, including financial.

Customization and Personalization: Designing a custom house every step of the way – from architectural plans to final paint touches – allows the homeowner to customize it to suit their preferences and lifestyle perfectly. Building a custom home will enable buyers to choose every detail, from the layout to the flooring, fixtures, and cabinets. Homeowners can make every style decision right down to the doorknobs and hardware. While tract home builders may offer some limited customization regarding color palettes, floorplans, or finishes, you can’t design the home you really want – from unique floorplans, oversized garages, extra bedrooms, or green building materials. If you plan to purchase another home and renovate to your liking, those expenses will pile up quickly.
Less Intense Competitive Market: The real estate market hit its competitive peak in 2022, but buyers are still fighting over the best homes. In Sarasota, however, the competition for the best neighborhoods is about location, and building a custom home is a great way to look solely for location and not “the prettiest home.” In fact, home buyers can purchase a teardown property in a fantastic location and then, when the time is right, build their dream home.
Fewer Maintenance Costs: New construction homes are required to adhere to current building codes, and many offer the most state-of-the-art technology. This means that new homeowners won’t have to worry themselves about significant repairs or major maintenance issues for several years. There shouldn’t be any roof repairs or air conditioner replacements needed, and owners of new custom homes also won’t be finding unexpected insufficient maintenance from the last owner.
Reduced Energy Costs: New custom homes often integrate the latest energy-efficient appliances, systems, and materials, which in conjunction with quality construction, will typically result in lower energy bills overall. Suppose you are building a home from the ground up. In that case, you can choose features that may not be included in a standard build, such as solar panels or rain barrels, that can help you to be environmentally responsible and save on monthly expenses.
The New Home Smell: While that phrase is generally connected to new cars, the sentiment is the same. Building a new custom home gives you a fresh start in a place no one else has ever lived – fully oitfitted with “new everything”!

The professional architects at JTL Studios are committed to building the most unique, green, cost-effective, or luxurious homes for our clients. Whatever is important to you is important to us. Call today to learn more about the benefits of building a new Sarasota custom home, and let’s get started on your new house!