One of the most common questions I get from buyers here is whether to go new or buy a resale. There is no single right answer, but there is a right way to compare them: look at what each home actually costs to own, not just the price.
What a new build really costs
New construction is appealing, but watch a few things. Property taxes reset higher after you buy, since they are often advertised on the builder’s lower assessment. Lot premiums add up. CDD fees are common in the master-planned communities where most new homes are built. And you will likely pay extra for window treatments, landscaping, and a fence that are not included.
What a resale really costs
Resale homes can need updates, and you will want to check the age of the roof and AC, since both are expensive and affect your insurance. But resales often include mature landscaping, appliances, and window treatments, and they frequently carry lower or no CDD fees. Established neighborhoods also tend to have more predictable taxes.
Compare them side by side
I built a free fill-in worksheet that puts new and resale next to each other across every carrying cost: taxes, insurance, CDD, HOA, repairs, and more. It is the same exercise I walk clients through. Grab the New vs Resale Carrying Cost Worksheet, and send us two homes you are weighing at 941.867.8667.