New homes typically have a higher sales price than comparable existing homes, and buyers are usually willing to spend more on a new home because of lower maintenance costs. Builders' warranties on new homes, when combined with a new roof, appliances, and major systems, usually make major repairs unnecessary and help to counter a slower initial rate of appreciation.

Census Bureau Housing Surveys suggests that operating costs are lowest for brand new homes and slightly higher for relatively new existing homes. Operating costs per square foot of living space are consistently higher for progressively older existing homes. Utility costs represent the largest factor in operating costs. Energy consumption per square foot depends on the size of the home, the insulation and quality of the windows, air leakage and the efficiency of the furnace.

New homes require fewer expenditures for routine maintenance. The cost of maintenance first increases with age, then declines, so you will generally spend less maintaining a home built before 1960 than for a home built between 1970 and 1975.

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Jeff Ryder
The Jeff Ryder Team
RE/MAX Properties, Inc.
1740 Chapel Hills Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Tel: 719-593-SOLD
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Email: jeffryder@NUMBER1EXPERT.com

Jeff Ryder moved to Colorado while serving in the US Army at Fort Carson as a Flight Paramedic. If you look at Jeff's picture and say "I think I know him from somewhere", it may be due to his career before selling homes. After leaving the military, Jeff spent 5 years as a newscaster for television stations in Florida and Colorado. The last three years were in Colorado Springs on 11-News. Jeff is married to Kassie. They have two sons, Clayton and Kyle.

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