When it’s time for a move to a new home one of the big choices you face is whether to buy an existing home or to build a new home. Is one approach really better than the other? Does building a new home really make more sense than buying an existing home? You may be surprised to hear a homebuilder say this, but it depends on you. Let’s look at three reasons you might want to buy an existing home and then three reasons why building a new home might make more sense. 

For some homeowners there is simply no substitute for genuine, natural hardwood flooring. If they’re going to install wood floors in their new home, those floors are going to be real wood. If the feel of actual wood is important to you, that may be the right choice. There’s nothing quite like it. 

Is God in the details or is the devil in the details? Chances are you’ve heard it expressed both ways. Since we’re builders and not theologians, we’ll just say that when you’re building a custom home, the details really do matter. And one of the major details in building a custom home has to do with choosing the right materials for your kitchen counter. 

If you’re considering building a new home in the Poconos you may have heard about “semi-custom” home plans. The general idea is that these homes are supposed to be a step up from “standard” homes. They allow you a bit more flexibility in how you want to finish your new home, and often include upgraded appliances, trim, and perhaps the option of adding something like a sunroom. 

When some people think about the Poconos, they think about it as a summer getaway. It’s a place to go to escape the heat and congestion of the city or the suburbs while enjoying the best that nature has to offer. 

When it comes to building a new home, people like to talk about design, and location, and finishes. They like to think ahead to how they plan to decorate the interior—and even about all the activities there are to do in and around their new neighborhood. Those are all important things to consider, but there’s often an elephant in the room that people sometimes struggle with: What will this new home cost? 

There is something about waterparks in the summer that is just hard to beat. What’s not to like about splashing and slipping and sliding and acting like a kid—whether you’re 6 or 66? And no matter how hot or muggy it gets in August, time at the water park makes everything feel better. 

There are some phrases in the English language that seem—at first glance anyway—to be oxymorons: “Jumbo shrimp,” “good grief,” “ill health,” “minor miracle,” “old news,” and “pretty ugly” are among some of the oxymorons we use on a fairly regular basis. 

Sometimes you’ll hear people say that change is a good thing. Often that’s true. Sometimes you have to make changes—even to something you like—in order to get what you really want. That’s even true when it comes to building a custom home. There are times when you change your mind about what you think you wanted initially. And sometimes making that change is absolutely the right choice to make. But when making changes when you’re building a house can have a significant impact on the cost of your home. But it doesn’t have to be that way. How can you avoid expensive changes—and still get the home you want?

Over the last several years, the whole Great Room Concept has become increasingly popular. Homeowners and their guests like the casual feel of an open design that lets them move freely from one room to another. And many people love how an open floor plan allows more natural light into a room. For some, however, this style takes a bit of adjustment. Here are some tips for making the Great Room in your Poconos home even greater.