The benefits of 'new'

Buying a newly constructed home is intelligent for a whole bundle of reasons

By Michelle Bruhn and Wendy Danks, Builders Association of the Twin Cities

Creek Hill Custom Homes Photo
Courtesy of Bill Nord

New homes are better than ever.

It’s true: A new home built in Minnesota today has better components and materials than ever before. New homes are more durable, safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.

“The housing market can be compared to the computer industry,” explains Mark LaLiberte, President of Building Knowledge, Inc. “While the computer you bought a few years ago might have been the fastest one on that market, today it’s slow when compared to the new models. That’s how you should think of today’s homes.”

With a new home, you pick the floor plan and finishes that you want. You choose the neighborhood and the home site that speak to you. You can even select just the right “green” features that balance your personal philosophy with your budget.

Visit the fabulous homes open during the 60th anniversary of the Parade of HomesSM to see why a new home is better for you.

Safety first

Certainly, older houses can become hazardous if wiring frays behind the walls or plumbing pipes leach chemicals into your water. But there’s a lot more to the safety benefits of today’s new homes.

All homes are built to meet exacting building codes designed to promote safety and health, and every new home is carefully inspected by government building officials to ensure it is in compliance. New homes feature hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms to alert everyone in your home quickly in case of a fire, and carbon monoxide detectors.

Staircases and railings are required to meet numerous safety standards. Appliances, from your furnace to your water heater, offer the latest safety features, including closed combustion design that cannot cause backdraft problems.

Healthy atmosphere

New homes are not only safer, they’re also healthier. The earliest examples of improved indoor air quality in new homes were the American Lung Association’s “health houses,” first built in the 1990s. Builders have learned a lot since then, and with the stringent Minnesota Energy Code, today’s homes ensure clean, safe indoor air.

They are tightly air sealed with controlled airflow to and from all appliances. The home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems actually clean the air instead of potentially polluting it. And new homes are sealed better to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide seeping inside.

New radon-resistant construction helps lower levels of this potentially carcinogenic gas, as well as reducing moisture issues. Airtight seals in the foundation and vertical vent pipes keep air circulating. New homebuyers can even choose active radon mitigation systems. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program and the new Minnesota GreenStar certification program provide standards that ensure a safe and comfortable home even for those with severe allergies and asthma.

Energy efficiency is key

No difference between an older home and a new home is more noticeable than the check you write for utilities every month. This is where building science has helped new homes outperform old homes; the proof is in the numbers. One staggering figure from the EPA notes that Americans, with the help of their Energy Star programs, saved $16 billion in 2007 and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 27 million vehicles on the road.

Minnesota launched a new energy code in 2000 that is probably the most stringent in the United States. That means even without Energy Star or Minnesota GreenStar certification, your home will be built to incredibly high standards of energy efficiency.

“Our energy code is 15 percent better than the national energy code,” says Michael Anschel, owner of Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build and a key figure behind the creation of Minnesota GreenStar. “The bulk of our builders build to Energy Star standards, but things can be done to improve energy efficiency above that level.”

Some of the energy efficient choices homebuyers can make include using geothermal heating and cooling, or solar and wind power. These choices carry a higher up-front cost, but are designed to drastically reduce energy use over the life of the home. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are beginning to find a following in the Twin Cities; four of the homes on the Fall Showcase harness geothermal technology. Geothermal systems tap the earth’s consistent temperature for heat in the winter and cooling in the summer, and use a fraction of the energy of traditional heating and cooling. New solar technology is making electricity from the sun more feasible for residences, and wind generators are now being used for local commercial buildings. Can residential uses be far behind?

Better Materials and Products

Another key factor in making better homes today is the materials from which they are made. As technology advances, so does the ability to make lighter yet stronger materials. From engineered floor joists that make stronger, less expensive and quieter floors, to engineered roof trusses that assure even the most complex roof is constructed from the least amount of material, these products make new homes more durable than ever before.

Windows have come a long way in the past few years. Efficiency is increased with both high-tech glazing and better insulated frames which decreases energy costs and makes your home more comfortable. You can even choose windows that have special coatings to almost clean themselves.

Wood is still the most common framing element, but steel and concrete are becoming more popular as prices come down. Fiber cement siding is replacing wood as an effective, durable exterior, while improvements in both metal and vinyl siding are making these less expensive choices look and last better.

Inside finishes are also providing better choices for home buyers. Locally quarried granite and bacteria-reducing quartz countertops are attractive and green. Low- and no-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint and stains are making for healthier homes, while FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and renewable woods for floors and cabinetry are using our resources more wisely.

State of the Art

If your game is technology, then a new home is truly where it’s at. With a new home you can interconnect phones, internet, video, audio, lighting, and household controls so that you are truly the master of your domain. Today’s security can include video cameras at doors and windows, motion and sound detectors, and practically hack-proof controls. And you can turn up the heat from your office computer or track groceries automatically as you use them.
What About the New Home Warranty?

Only a new home comes with a new home warranty. If something does go wrong with your dream home, it is covered. According to Minnesota statutes, all builders must provide a limited warranty. Our great state’s requirements are standard: one year on workmanship (nail pops, drywall cracks); two years on mechanicals (plumbing, heating); and 10 years on major structural problems.

It’s a good idea to ask to see your builder’s warranty in writing, which should explain what is covered and what isn’t. And, don’t forget about the outside of your home as well.

“Many landscape contractors will warranty plants for one year,” says Bob Fitch, President of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. “Make sure to ask your builder if their landscaper covers you. Warranties may differ.”
Make sure you get and keep all those manufacturers’ warranties that come standard with furnaces, appliances, shingles and other products, too.

There’s nothing like that new home smell

And, of course, a new home is just that: new. No one else has ever cooked in your new kitchen, or slept in your new bedroom. Everything is shiny bright and clean. You choose the style, the layout, the colors, and the finishes that make you feel perfectly at home. It’s truly your home, where you’ll nurture your family and make memories that you’ll cherish forever.

Ultimately, a home’s quality depends on the builder. The Parade of HomesSM is the right place to search for your new dream home. Take your time and enjoy the new homes built by reputable BATC builders.

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