Curb Appeal

Curb appeal sells houses. Well-done landscaping and striking stone exteriors are top considerations, whether buying or selling a home. A home’s visual appeal matters when viewed from the street, but it doesn’t stop there. 

At Devonshire , curb appeal goes way beyond the mailbox. For example, there are landscaped parks and walking and biking trails that weave through the entire community. In addition, there is a dog park for canine family members, stocked fishing ponds, pools and splash pads, as well as many other upscale amenities. 

Older Home Renovations

The great advantage of building a new home in Devonshire is simple. Everything is new! That’s not the case with older homes that often need renovations and upgrades. These older home renovations can, however, suggest several things about building a new home. 

According to Angie Hicks, chief customer officer at Angi, eight of the top ten projects that increase home value in the US are exterior - everything from garage doors to building decks - based on data from the website. Renovations that raise resale value -think kitchen upgrade, a complete bathroom remodel, or a new deck - can be price prohibitive. Before taking on a big remodeling project, it’s best to factor in what kind of ROI to expect and how much of the upfront cost will be recouped when the home is put on the market. 

Although buying an existing home can sometimes be less expensive than new home construction, there’s more risk involved. If the previous owners were negligent in following a maintenance plan, or the roof or furnace is outdated, the costs to improve an existing home should be considered when buying an older home. “You shouldn't expect to earn every penny back on things like a new roof or A/C unit — today's buyers expect the basics to work,” Hicks says.

New Home Innovations

At Devonshire, families can select from a wide variety of ready to move in and ready to build homes. It’s true that a new home can be more expensive than buying an existing home, but it’s also true that you get what you pay for. There are many benefits to think about when it comes to new home construction. For example, older homes weren’t built to be as energy efficient and environmentally friendly - high efficiency windows, better plumbing or electrical, and other smart technologies – as are modern homes today. 

Other new construction advantages include lower repair costs, customization, community amenities, and modern floor plans. Construction design now optimizes floorspace in a way that increases usable space, whereas existing homes may have layouts that look and feel dated. Customization is part of the new home experience, with the selection of materials being an individual part of process, whereas materials in older homes may come “as is.” If the buyer of an older home wants upgrades like granite countertops, that’s another added cost. 

Keep an Eye on ROI

Home buying decisions are as individual as the homebuyer themselves. Buying with an eye on ROI makes good sense. When it’s time to look for a new home, remember what features and options hold the best value. Exterior features like patios, garage doors, and decks, are requirements for other buyers and make a home with these options a better buying decision. Other factors that tend to increase ROI include proximity to schools and childcare. The Forney ISD, commended as a District of Innovation, is a high-quality district just minutes from the Devonshire community. 

The Bottom Line

Even if you’re considered a DIY home improvement expert, the lack of existing homes for sale plays a role in homebuying trends. The housing market has narrowed so much that even finding an existing home is a challenge. New home construction has been instrumental in bridging the gap in available homes, making the advantages even more attractive for many families. 

In terms of the bottom line, ROI refers to the amount of money that is earned from the resale of a home, but there’s another definition that is equally important. In this case, bottom line refers to what is essential, or the most important consideration. At Devonshire, the real bottom line is achieved by the quality of life that living there provides for its families and that is priceless!

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