It could be one of the biggest questions you'll face in your home search — and there's no single right answer. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and for most people the decision takes time after carefully weighing the options. In the end, it comes down to which preferences are most important to you.

(an established neighborhood on Madison's westside — Ice Age Falls; photo courtesy of Step Inside Media)

Common Considerations

For example, you may value the advantages of a new construction home:

• Spaces that offer all of the modern finishes
• A floorplan that's designed to fit your lifestyle
• A scenario that gives you peace of mind — knowing you won't have any costly repairs to address shortly after you move in

On the flipside, you might also appreciate the advantages of an existing home:

• A location that's close to local amenities and the center of town
• A spacious lot with mature landscaping and trees
• A close-knit neighborhood with long-standing residents who know and look out for each other

If you're torn on whether to buy or build, we recommend hiring a reputable buyer agent who can guide you through the decision-making process. At Mad City Dream Homes, we help many Madison area clients work through the buy-build question each year.

We do this by introducing you to new construction builders, homes, and communities, so you can learn what life would be like in a new home and neighborhood. We also take you on tours of existing homes in long-established communities, so you can picture yourself living in a more mature home and setting.

When you take the time to carefully explore your options, you'll arrive at the right decision. And that's when we'll guide you through the next step — whether that's putting together an offer to purchase on an existing home or finalizing a builder's contract for new construction — for the home and neighborhood best suited to you.

If you need help determining whether to buy or build your next home, we'd love to be a resource for you. Reach out to one of our full-time professionals for a complimentary planning session. We'll answer your initial questions and lay out all of the next steps to help you make the right decision.