Surprising Shift Favors Homeowners: Buyers Now Prefer Existing Homes

Mike Eastwood Author-Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc/West USA Realty of Prescott states. In April, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) posted an article, Home Buyers’ Preferences Shift Towards New Construction, which reported:

“60% of people who were looking to buy a home in 2020 said they’d prefer new construction to an existing home.”

However, it seems buyers are now shifting their preferences back to existing homes.

The latest Consumer Confidence Survey reveals the percentage of Americans planning to buy a home in the next six months is virtually the same as it was back in March. However, the percentage that plan to buy a newly constructed home is lower for that same period.

NAHB confirms this sentiment in their latest Housing Trends Report. The organization explains that existing homes are now the top preference among today’s buyers. Here’s a breakdown of those findings:

Why the shift?

There are several reasons why buyer preference is shifting. Here are two that impact purchasers looking to move in now:

• The process may move faster. Builders may not be able to guarantee when the house will be complete and ready for move-in due to supply chain challenges with materials like lumber and appliances. If you buy an existing home, not only is it ready, it also likely has a refrigerator, range, and other necessary home appliances already.
• There are no unexpected costs during the buying process. With the price of land, labor, and lumber being so volatile, many builders are including an escalation clause in the price negotiation to cover rising expenses. With an existing home, the final price you will pay is negotiated upfront.

Bottom Line

If you’re a homeowner looking to sell, your house is more attractive to a greater number of buyers as compared to earlier in the year. This might be the time to contact a local real estate professional to discuss the possibility.

To learn more about the Prescott, Arizona real estate market contact Mike Eastwood CEO of West USA Realty of Prescott at 928-636-1500 or visit us at www.westusaofprescott.com and Mike will introduce you to one of his professional real estate agents. If you like to search on your own, download the FREE home search app http://app.westusa.com/WUSAT1M   or stop by and visit us at https://goo.gl/maps/4y1zgMPaUTbgwcRL6 #Prescottrealestate #Prescotthomes #Prescottland #Prescottvalleyrealestate #Prescottvalleyhomes #Prescottvalleyland #Chinovalleyrealestate #Chinovalleyhomes #Chinovlaaelland #Arizonarealestate #Arizonahomes