How do you find a new home that fits your lifestyle and budget? Spend a little time thinking carefully about the right home so you can make the search easier and more enjoyable! 

Separate the non-negotiables from the wish list so you know what features are an absolute must and those that are just nice to have. Make a list and refer to it often when you’re looking at new homes. It’s easy to be dazzled by something as you’re touring homes, but don’t stray from what you’ve already determined to be deal breakers.

The Location

Does the location suit you?

Your first decision is the location of your new home. Do you want to live in a city, suburb, or small town? You can live in one and be closer to the others, so determine your location priority.

Commutes are important. How far are you willing to travel to work in order to live where you want? Look for various routes for commuting and then test them out during the times you would be traveling to gain an accurate estimate.

As you’re pondering the choice, what amenities need to be close to your home? Good schools? Healthcare? Shopping and dining choices? Drive around possible areas and check out your options.

Is the neighborhood a good match to your lifestyle needs?

Next, think about your preferences for the environment of the community where you’re going to live. Families with children often want other children in the neighborhood. A playground and park either in the neighborhood or nearby is valuable, too. 

Maybe you’d prefer to live in an area with older adults and empty nesters. Or you’d like a good blend. Be clear about the neighbors you want and narrow your new home search accordingly.

Once you begin looking at neighborhoods, notice how homeowners take care of their property. Curb appeal—or lack of it—impacts your home’s value.

Safety is an important feature. Does the community have sidewalks? How about street lights?

Pay attention to noise levels, too. Can you hear traffic noise? Is your community close to a main intersection where you might have traffic jams?

All these factors should weigh heavily on your decision. If you find an outstanding home, but it’s not in an ideal location, you could end up with buyer’s remorse.

Can you find a homesite you like?

Your perfect home should also have the perfect yard. How much space do you want? And where would you like it to be within the community—near the entrance, within walking distance of the amenities, a corner lot, on a cul-de-sac?

Look at the backyard, too. Does it have trees that add privacy or are you backing up to someone else’s yard?

The Design

What’s your architectural style preference?

Your new home’s exterior should reflect your personal taste. You might not be familiar with specific architectural styles, but you know what appeals to you. Research popular styles, like Craftsman, Farmhouse, Contemporary, French Country, Cottage, Traditional, Victorian, Cape, Ranch, and Coastal. Take note of the details that appeal to you—like porches, gables, rooflines, window placement, siding, and stonework. 

Drive around and take pictures of homes you like, whether or not they’re for sale. Are there consistent elements of design that seem to speak to you? Pay attention to these details because you obviously appreciate them.

What features fit your lifestyle?

For any new home search, you start with the basics—square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the general area. Then what? Focus on the specifics that matter.

For example, how do you see yourself living? Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you find a new home that supports the way you live.

• Do you enjoy your solitude? What does that look like in your daily life? Maybe a sitting room or a space with a pleasant view should be on your priority list.
• Do you love to cook? What features would make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable? What tools do you rely on the most? Keep this in mind when you’re looking at a kitchen’s cabinetry, pantry, and the placement of the work zones (prep, cooking, clean-up). 
• Is entertaining a common occurrence? As you walk through a home, imagine how you would host your events, from a dinner with friends to a holiday party. Where will you store your serving pieces, set up the beverage station, and avoid the bottlenecks that happen when people get together? And don’t forget to have a bathroom for your guests!
• Do you have children who want to invite their friends to hang out? You might want a separate playroom or gathering space. For young children, you need to have a play area where you can supervise. Teens, however, might prefer the privacy of a loft.
• What do you want for your outdoor living space? Do you prefer a patio or a deck? Plan for your outdoor furnishings and cooking setup. 
• How do you feel about yard work? Some homeowners enjoy spending time taking care of their yard, landscaping, and gardens. If you’re not one of them, don’t overlook the amount of exterior maintenance required of the home you’re considering.

How much space is enough?

Think like Goldilocks. You want a home that’s just right—not too small, but also not too big. You know how much space you need right now, but what about in a few years? Is your family growing? Is an empty nest in your foreseeable future? Do you expect to have adult children or aging parents moving in? Think long-term—for however long you expect to live in your new home. You want to be comfortable.

Consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you’ll need. A powder room is nice to have near the main living area if you don’t already have a bathroom that’s accessible for visitors.

Bear in mind that some floor plans make better use of space than others. Rather than rely on total square footage for your next home, give yourself a range and pay attention to how the plan is laid out, like the halls, loft, and stairs, where the design doesn’t utilize the area as much as it could.

What storage space do you need?

While you’re thinking about space, think about your storage needs. You’ll want to have your vacuum and other cleaning tools handy. A closet by the front entry is convenient for storing coats. Linen closets in or near the bathrooms make it easy to keep towels and bed linens right where you need them.

Does the layout work for you?

Look at the layout before you become smitten with the finishes, like kitchen cabinets or bathroom fixtures. Walk through and imagine yourself living here. Are the rooms where they should be? For example, families with young children want bedrooms near the owner’s suite while other homeowners prefer their suite to be more private. If you’re looking at a 2-story home, do you want a suite on the main level, and maybe even a second suite?

Will the kitchen accommodate your family’s traffic? When someone is rummaging through the refrigerator, others are just hanging out, and you’re trying to cook, can you move around productively?

Where is the laundry room located? And where would you like it to be? Some homes place the laundry room near the bedrooms while others keep it near the kitchen. If you have a definite preference, add it to your must-have list.

How about the family entry—does it make sense and allow for the way you all come and go? You might want to add a hall bench or cubbies to your wish list for this space. It’s a small investment in clutter management.

Will your furniture fit?

Are you bringing in your current furniture or making a change? Consider how your furnishings will fit and look in this home. Large bedroom sets and sectional seating don’t fit into every layout. If you love the home but your furniture isn’t a good fit, does your budget allow for replacements?

Do you need a pet-friendly home?

The four-legged family members might not have a voice in your choice of a new home, but you should still consider how they fit into it. A pet-friendly home has flooring that isn’t sensitive to the steady patter of paws (and claws). It comes with a fenced-in yard to allow your pet to roam safely without wandering beyond your lot.

Do you want a designated pet washing area? From an oversized utility sink in the laundry room to a fully outfitted grooming station, decide on the value of making it easier to care for your pet.

The Budget

Now that you’ve put thought into where you want to live and what you need in your new home, it’s time to decide how much you can afford.

Here’s an important note: Buying the home doesn’t represent the cost of owning it. What will you need to budget for upkeep, repair, replacement, and remodeling? Calculate the total cost of ownership before committing to buying a home. Those costs include:

• Monthly mortgage payment
• Insurance
• Property tax
• HOA fee
• Utilities
• Yard care

A new home with greater energy efficiency might be the better choice because of the savings on your utility bills. And factor in how much time and money you’ll save when you don’t have to remodel or replace features like the roof or HVAC system.

Don’t exhaust your budget on the purchase because you’ll then have to live with the things you can’t afford to change.

Have you checked your credit report?

Look at your credit report to ensure there aren’t any unwelcome surprises that could either prevent you from getting a mortgage or require a large down payment or higher interest rate—or both! The higher your credit rating, the lower the rate you earn. 

Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?

Getting pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage means you’ve spoken with a lender and received a letter that outlines the loan amount you seem qualified to receive. The process is quick and simple. You can do it in a phone call by providing some basic information to the lender.

While you’re talking to a mortgage professional, ask about the different loan programs and the qualifications. 

Is an adjustable rate mortgage right for you?

How long do you plan to live in your home? If it’s a short-term solution, an adjustable rate mortgage might be the right choice. You’ll get a lower interest rate than with a fixed rate mortgage for the first few years. But if there’s a chance you’re going to stay longer in the home, don’t trap yourself when the rate goes up to a mortgage payment that stretches the limits of your budget.

New homes near Raleigh, NC

Now that you have a better view of how to find a new home that fits your lifestyle and budget, New Home Inc. can guide you even closer to the right choice. We build communities of new homes near Raleigh—cities and towns that fit everything from a small town to a growing suburb and city.

Apex, NC

The town of Apex, NC, is one of the most popular Raleigh suburbs and considered one of the best places to live in North Carolina. With a population of about 75,000 people, Apex continues to experience rapid growth—with an infrastructure that’s keeping up with the demand.

New Home Inc. has a unique opportunity for luxury living in Apex. Our last home at Old Sorrell Estates in Apex, NC, offers 4,808 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths, situated on 2.7 acres! This gorgeous estate home is move-in ready.

Fuquay-Varina, NC

Originally sought after for its healing mineral springs, Fuquay-Varina, NC, has grown to become a Raleigh suburb that maintains its quaint atmosphere while also bringing in new businesses to the two downtown districts. Named by Homes.com as #6 on the Best Suburbs to Move to in 2021, Fuquay-Varina, NC, has doubled in size since 2010—to 34,152 residents. The 18-mile commute to Raleigh and job centers like Research Triangle Park, plus the quality of life in Fuquay-Varina, make it a place for you to consider buying a new home.

You have a lot of choices with New Home Inc.’s communities of homes for sale in Fuquay-Varina, NC. Sippihaw Springs and Gardner Farms present an array of home designs so you can find a new home that fits your lifestyle and budget. And we’re building them on lots from a half-acre to more than two acres! 

We also have new townhomes for sale in Fuquay-Varina, NC, at Springwood Townes. Experience the luxury of our modern design and the low-maintenance townhome lifestyle. Plan a visit to see quick move-in homes at Gardner Farms, the homesites for building at Sippihaw Springs, and quick move-in townhomes at Springwood Townes.

Lillington, NC

Lillington, NC, is an affordable town that’s halfway between Raleigh and Fayetteville, NC, and Fort Liberty. Covering just 5 square miles and home to about 3,200 people. Lillington, NC, is the ideal hometown for anyone who wants a quiet, friendly place that offers a growing variety of things to do, including close proximity to outdoor recreation, like Raven Rock State Park and the Cape Fear River. 

Does this Raleigh suburb sound like the right fit for you? New Home Inc. has 2 communities of new homes for sale in Lillington, NC: Duncan’s Creek and Heritage at Neill’s Creek. Duncan’s Creek will grow to 174 single-family homes, with homesites up to 1.3 acres. Heritage at Neill’s Creek is a more intimate neighborhood of just 24 lots, and luxury homes as spacious as 3,000 square feet. But it’s also a lifestyle of affordable luxury, so don’t miss out on a chance to live large in a small town. Why not make your move now with one of the quick move-in homes at Duncan’s Creek? 

Clayton, NC

Just 16 miles from Raleigh, Clayton, NC, is a quiet suburb with about 30,000 residents. The town offers the balance of suburban living with easy access to the city. Enjoy a quick drive to Raleigh for all the experiences there or stay close to home for local events, activities, and recreation. 

New Home Inc. can give you the benefits of modern living in a country setting at Hearon Pointe in Clayton, NC. We’re limiting the community of new homes to just 24, with floor plans from 1,871 to 3,145 square feet. This private neighborhood is enhanced with the size of the lots: from half to more than an acre. Quick move-in homes are available at Hearon Pointe if you’re ready to make Clayton your new hometown 

New Home Inc. Fits Your Lifestyle and Budget!

Buying a new construction home from New Home Inc. gives you many advantages. Your home is designed and built according to the latest in construction methods, technology, and conveniences. We believe that your home should give you the features to fit your lifestyle without squeezing your budget.

That’s why New Home Inc. gives you a wealth of standard features that are also affordable!

• Smart home automation package that provides security (video doorbell, smart lock), convenience (smart home network panel), and energy efficiency (smart thermostat)
• Smart Door Delivery Center, a fully enclosed, climate-controlled space between your exterior and interior front doors, to protect your home deliveries.
• Electric vehicle charging station rough-in so that when you need it, the installation is simple
• ecoSelect Home Efficiency Program that certifies your home’s efficiency
• Whole home air filtration system to protect the indoor air quality
• Oversized kitchen island with seating on 3 sides to accommodate more people
• “Messy kitchen” service pantry that adds a serving, storage, and clean-up space beyond your kitchen, reducing the clutter and traffic
• CAT6 cabling for strong, reliable connections without dead zones
• And pet-friendly spaces!

Buying a new home is a big decision. Decide what you need, what you want, and what you can afford. Then talk to New Home Inc. to find the new home that fits your lifestyle and budget.