Thoughts on Building new vs buying used - homes

[rzrgade]

Acreages are a lot of work , but rewarding none the less...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Yes, acreages are nice but also have their challenges. Young working people may not be able to manage all the demands.

Not sure I understand that comment. Not trying to create a argument but don't see what demands a rural property has that a town property doesn't? We are a young working couple. It's all about lifestyle and quality of life and in my opinion country living is were it's at.

 

[rzrgade]

I find it less desirable as I get older( acreages) but would do it all over in a heartbeat ... Mind you that is my business too. So a guy gets tired after many years .
There are pros and cons too both , I guess....
The best property I have owned is a 3 acre size . Not to much work and just the right amount of room & privacy .
The cost to service an acreage is much higher, but once done a bit cheaper to live ...lmo
The wild swings of the real estate market , certainly do not effect an acreage nearly as much ...
Have built about 30 over the years .... Enjoy the challenge of turning a chunk of land into a home !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ferniesnow]

Not sure I understand that comment. Not trying to create a argument but don't see what demands a rural property has that a town property doesn't? We are a young working couple. It's all about lifestyle and quality of life and in my opinion country living is were it's at.

I agree about acreages but still say they are a lot of work. Landscaping for one and I'm not talking about 50 acres with a lot of acres in bush or unmowed lawn. Then there is snow removal not mention the learning curve. As the OP mentioned about the commute, all this has to be done after work and it can be very time consuming.

In an around Calgary, I am assuming (I know I shouldn't do that) for even 5 acres, that the finished cost with services would be higher than building in an already established subdivision.

We have an acre, and keeping it pristine and something to be proud of is a full time job for one of us. Now that it is 15 years old, it is time to start on serious maintenance keeping one even busier. I am not complaining, nor am I letting it run down, I am just stating facts about home ownership in general.

 

[takethebounce]

Anyhow. I am not buying an acreage. It's not within my desired price point lol




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DaveB]

Anyhow. I am not buying an acreage. It's not within my desired price point lol




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you move away from Da Big City it works. We built on 1.5 acres cheaper than building in Red Deer....

 

[tex78]

We sold our house in town 3 years ago and bought 50 acres out of town we are slowly turning into a small farm operation. After looking around the vast majority of home values in town dropped significantly were as rural properties always steadily increase as more and more land gets used up. Not to mention the value of taking a leak in your yard without making the neighbors jealous haha

I miss our big acreage, being able to piss off 3 decks was awsome

sent while drinking tea's

 

[takethebounce]

I miss our big acreage, being able to piss off 3 decks was awsome

sent while drinking tea's

Can't control your bladder?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tex78]

Or we would rather be doing other things lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And that is the one thing I do not miss is the extra work, when play time is due

sent while drinking tea's

 

[arff]

Maybe. Maybe not.

You should take the time and go and ask them. I don't have a bank in my town.

I will be near you next month.

Let's not get off topic

 

[ferniesnow]

I will be near you next month.

Let's not get off topic

Is it your turn to buy? You can maybe come up and see the work involved in keeping an acre in pristine shape. It can be a chore and Dan has already alluded to the fact that an acreage is not in his price point

 

[j335]

New build lots in NW are $210-$280k. Now add min $350k for a 2200-2400 sq ft 2 story, price gets very steep for being out of the city, Airdrie isn't much further and is discounted more.
What part of city do you and your lady work?

 

[takethebounce]

We are both at the airport and have looked at Airdrie and really have no desire to live there.

Small lots there are $115-150k depending on the community. We also want a simple home. Bungalow with detached garage or small 2 level with front garage. Anything over 1800sq combines is overkill for us.

Cochrane has some nice neighbourhoods popping up. The commute to the mountains will be greatly reduced, south down 22 is easy as well. So it's on the list.

There are some good promos on right now with builders trying to get people buying. It's a tough call, act now or wait and see how the economy effects housing prices. One thing for sure, carbon tax in January is likely to increase several costs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dylandoo]

Wait till late November or early December. Always been able to get my clients really nice deals at that time because if your home is up and listed then you are in a need to sell in most cases. Most people pull their listings over the christmas season if they are not motivated.

 

[takethebounce]

Wait till late November or early December. Always been able to get my clients really nice deals at that time because if your home is up and listed then you are in a need to sell in most cases. Most people pull their listings over the christmas season if they are not motivated.

But by the same theory we would be potentially taking less on our sale?


Some of the builders have some "programs" I will call them where they have a preferred realtor and if that realtor says they can sell your home at the price agreed upon they do so. If in 30 days it hasn't sold or you end up taking less they take that off the new homes price (to a certain value).




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chump]

We built with sabal. They paid half our realtor fees. Saved us over 10g. Again I really enjoy living in mahogany, not all that far to the airport with the ring road either. 30min commute max.

 

[dylandoo]

You could offset possessions and do bridge financing to squeeze a bit more out of the transition. Yes if you build new a lot of builders have that program but not on specs. Whatever you do... DO NOT build new in this market. Builders are so over priced with new builds right now it's ridiculous serviced lots that a builder is actively selling now we're bought based on the market 2 years ago this were over paid for because the process is so delayed. On top of that their material costs are crazy right now because of the dollar and the good trades are still busy so they are still paying top dollar for them. Cant tell you how many times I've been to a listing appointment where someone built with bad timing and its 5 years later and they are just trying to break even on their home. I sold directly for Calbridge Homes for years. Sold the first few phases of Mahogany back in 2011.

 

[niner]

http://www.safetycodes.ab.ca/Public/Conference/Documents/RadonWest-SCC-2015.pdf

This another reason new houses are costing more also. This takes effect November 2016.

 

[takethebounce]

What takes effect?

I don't see any new building code that incorporates radon venting into new construction? There was talk of legislation to have these "systems" installed but nothing I have seen have introduced a new building code.

Radon West is a company who tests and provides these systems. They do not create legislation.

I have been aware of radon for several years. When the government EcoEnergy program for homes came out I was a NRCan home evaluator. Really wasn't hard to do but at that time there was discussion as to if they wanted to take part in the radon testing program. They didn't.

Radon is present in the ground just about everywhere. There are higher levels in this area for sure. Is it more harmful than all the radio waves caused by all the technology advancements in your home, your neighbourhood and so on? Time will tell.

Oh and every year the university does a free radon program. They will provide you testing equipment for your basement then analyze the results. Or they were doing it as recently as last year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Are there not good deals on homes in Calgary right now? I know my buddy took a huge loss on a condo he bought in 09-10