The moment you start exploring homes, the excitement kicks in…and so does the choice between new construction and resale. Both options bring something to the table, but today’s market, lifestyle needs, and building standards make brand-new homes more appealing than ever.
To help make your search a little easier, here’s a friendly walk-through of what matters most when choosing a place to call home. Let’s dive in!
Cost and Maintenance
Pros of Buying New
For years, the perception has been that new homes cost more than older ones. But today’s market is rewriting that story. According to recent Realtor.com® data, new homes have been selling for less than resale homes for several months in a row, a pricing flip that hasn’t happened at this scale in at least 25 years.
That means buyers get all the long‑term benefits of new construction, often at a lower upfront cost than a comparable older home.
Finance Incentives
You’ll also find financing support designed to make the process smoother. Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc. continuously works to offer helpful incentives, rate locks, buydowns, and more so you can find a place that fits comfortably into your budget.*
Cons of Buying Resale
A resale home can come with a lower sticker price, but older systems and aging materials often mean costly updates, higher utility bills, outdated insulation, and big-ticket repairs that pop up when you least expect them.
Size
How much space you need depends on your lifestyle, from cozy layouts to large, flexible floor plans.
Pros of Buying New
Modern layouts are all about openness, livability, and smart use of space. You’ll often find:
- Open-concept living areas. Spacious great rooms flow into modern kitchens, dining areas, and thoughtful outdoor living
- Taller doors and ceilings
- Larger closets and more storage
- Abundant natural light
- Flex rooms you can transform into home gyms, offices, playrooms, craft rooms, and beyond
Con of Buying Resale
Older homes were designed for different lifestyles. That means smaller kitchens and bedrooms, narrow hallways, lower ceilings, choppy floor plans, and less storage.
Even homes from the early 2000s can come with outdated layouts, limited insulation, or construction materials that don’t hold up as well as today’s standards.
Personality
Your style deserves a spot in every corner of your home.
Pros of Buying New
Buying new opens the door to personalization. At our Design Studio, Design Consultants guide you through your options for cabinets, flooring, tile, and more.
Stressing about design options? Don’t worry—those same consultants have hand-selected design elements that flow beautifully together in several collections called Canvas®.
Cons of Buying Resale
Older homes might have charm, but they often require significant updates to match your personal taste. That means time, cost, and sometimes unexpected renovation surprises.
Technology & Energy Efficiency
Today’s homes do more, and they cost less to run.
Pros of Buying New
Many Taylor Morrison homes include:
- Smart thermostats
- Smart lighting
- Smart plugs
- Efficient appliances
- Smart power strips
- Smart doorbells
- Wi-Fi enabled garage door openers
The future of smart home design isn’t just about gadgets; it’s about creating an intuitive living experience where technology fades into the background, leaving you to simply enjoy the comforts of the place you love most.
Cons of Buying Resale
Retrofitting older homes for modern needs can mean:
- Costly rewiring
- Limited compatibility for smart features
- Higher utility bills due to outdated systems
Community and Amenities
Pros of Buying New
New Taylor Morrison communities often include:
- Pools, parks, trails, and clubhouses
- Pickleball and bocce ball courts
- Dog parks and playgrounds
- Easy ways to meet neighbors and connect
- Walkable layouts and green spaces
Cons of Buying Resale
Older neighborhoods may lack modern amenities or updated common areas.
Health
Home is where the heart is. But it’s also where the rest of you lives, too. That’s why we’re committed to building homes that take care of all of you, with plenty of benefits to keep you and your home as healthy as possible.
Pros of Buying New
New homes are good for your health! According to The International Energy Agency, new homes “reduce symptoms of respiratory disease, reduce stress and infectious disease, and reduce risk of cancer, arthritis, depression, and symptoms of cardiovascular disease.”
Cons of Buying Resale
It’s no secret that older homes can have negative health impacts. According to The Oregonian, “Older homes are notorious for harboring numerous hazards like lead, asbestos, radon, [mold], and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).”
Environmental Impact
If you’re like a lot of home shoppers, you’re searching for a place that’s gentler on the planet.
Pros of Buying New
Most Taylor Morrison homes utilize:
- Low‑emission materials
Homes are intentionally built with products tested for lower chemical emissions, including low‑VOC paints, FloorScore®‑certified flooring, and cabinetry meeting strict formaldehyde‑reduction standards. These choices support healthier indoor air quality for your everyday living.
- Efficient plumbing and fixtures
WaterSense®‑certified faucets, fixtures, and smart plumbing design help limit unnecessary water use. Many communities also feature drought‑resistant landscaping to reduce outdoor water demands—especially important in water‑stressed regions.
- Better insulation
Insulation, roof barriers, and modern air‑sealing techniques protect comfort through changing seasons. These features help reduce heating and cooling needs, contributing to lower operational emissions measured by RESNET’s HERS® Index.
- Reduced energy use
High‑efficiency HVAC systems, ENERGY STAR® appliances, smart thermostats, and low‑E windows all work together to lower household energy consumption. On average, Taylor Morrison homes significantly outperform older existing homes on energy efficiency, helping reduce long‑term utility costs.
Let’s Compare!
| Feature | New Home | Resale Home |
| Energy Efficiency (HERS® Index) | Avg. score 53 – significantly more efficient with lower operational emissions | Typical existing home scores 140, meaning substantially higher energy use |
| Energy Consumption | Uses 62% less energy than a typical existing home | Uses far more energy due to aging systems, poor insulation, and older materials |
| Efficiency vs. Modern Standard (2006) | 47% reduction vs. new‑home benchmark score of 100 | Often performs worse than even 2006 standards, depending on age and upkeep |
| Air Quality Materials | Built with low‑VOC paints, certified flooring, and safer cabinetry finishes for healthier interior air | Older materials may contain higher VOCs and chemicals not compliant with today’s health standards |
| Water Efficiency | Includes WaterSense® fixtures and water‑efficient exterior landscaping options | Typically requires retrofits to reach similar efficiency levels |
Future Resale Value
Resale value matters, whether you’re planning to sell or stay. New homes often hold strong value thanks to modern features, lower maintenance needs, and the continued growth of the surrounding area. While resale homes can also maintain value, they may need costly ongoing updates to stay competitive in the market.
Thanks for Reading!
The smartest move you can make is into a new home. If you’re in the market, save big with limited time offers. Your next chapter might be closer than you think!
Representative Photos above for illustrative purposes only of available plans, features and structural option ideas; not necessarily the actual community or the actual homes that will be available.
All registered and unregistered marks of third parties used for illustrative purposes only are the exclusive property of the respective owners. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. © March 2026, Taylor Morrison, Inc. and its respective affiliated selling entities (collectively, “Taylor Morrison”).
*Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc., affiliated lender of the respective Taylor Morrison selling entities (“Affiliated Lender”), NMLS # 8588, 495 North Keller Road, Suite 550, Maitland, FL 32751, Licensed locations: AZ: #0917436 | CA: DFPI #4130023 | CO: Registration #8588, PH# (866) 379-5390 | FL: MLD1920 | GA: #52654 | IN: #DFI-66890 | NV: #3938 (branch located at 1820 Festival Plaza Dr., Ste. 220A, Las Vegas, NV 89135 PH# 702-680-1085) | NC: #L-191654 | OR: #ML-4272 | SC: #MLS-8588 | TX: #8588 | WA: #CL-8588 | www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Buyer is not required to finance through Affiliated Lender to purchase a home; however, Buyer must elect to utilize the services of Affiliated Lender to receive certain promoted incentives as outlined in Buyer’s specific Purchase Agreement, which may differ by time, home selected, community and jurisdiction or contain other qualifying criteria. All loans are subject to underwriting and loan qualification of the lender. Services not available in all states. Rates, terms and conditions offered are subject to change without notice.
**The National Wildlife Federation (“NWF”) Name and Marks are registered and unregistered trademarks of NWF and used with its express permission.
