Home Equity Benefits of Buying a New Custom Home
By HiLine Hal
This post was originally published on July 2nd, 2015, and last updated on March 30th, 2021.
Home values are going up faster and faster, according to experts. If you are in the market to buy a home, you can achieve instant equity benefits when builders offer price guarantees. In the less than 5 months it takes to build a new custom home on your lot through HiLine Homes, your home will likely be worth more than you paid. A home bubble only occurs when the demand for homes increases faster than the supply of homes on the market. U.S. home values have gone up 9.9% over the past year, and are expected to rise 11.4% in the next year, according to Zillow. Some of the home equity benefits include not owing PMI or private mortgage insurance for as many years and being able to more easily refinance if rates dip.
Getting ahead fast
In terms of home appreciation, it’s an unprecedented situation. According to a study by zillow.com, homebuyers break even in less than two years when they buy versus rent. In the Seattle area, it took less than two years to break even after accounting for closing costs. When you work with a new construction builder that offers incentives, it’s even more financially advantageous to buy versus renting. In the past, real estate experts talked about the “5-year rule,” which suggested it takes at least five years to get ahead as a homeowner. But that’s no longer the timeline. This may be especially true if you are replacing your manufactured or mobile home on your lot.
What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
Private mortgage insurance is the extra fee your lender charges when you put down less than 20 percent on a home purchase. In many cases, the PMI charge drops off of your mortgage after you have at least 20 percent equity. If you put down 5 percent and pay on your mortgage while the home values rise, the PMI will likely come off sooner than you originally anticipated.
Avoiding PMI costs
Depending on your personal financial situation, you might wish to refinance or take out a home equity line of credit when your children go to college. With the equity benefits of a new construction home, access to a HELOC or a cash-out refinance could happen sooner. Even if you never tap your home for a home equity loan, just having equity increases your net worth and gives you greater financial peace of mind. If something unexpected happens and you need to sell, you’ll feel great knowing you will likely walk away from closing with money. Realtors say it’s easier to sell a newer home with energy-efficient features than it is to sell an older one.
