If you’re looking to buy a home in Calgary, you have a plethora of options to choose from. Do you want a condo or a townhouse? A semi-detached or a fully-detached? How many storeys do you need? What’s your minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms? 

The options are almost endless. New home constructions are also on the rise in Calgary and many buyers are looking to these new builds as a great way to get a brand-new, never-lived-in home. 

So what’s the deal with buying a new construction vs. buying a resale home in Calgary? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each option to help decide which is right for you.

Looking for more help with moving to Calgary or buying a home? Read these blogs next: 

Buying a New Construction in Calgary

With a variety of new construction homes available in Calgary, you might be wondering what are the benefits of buying new. Here are a few to consider: 

Pro: Customizability 

A new construction home has the benefit of customizability. You often have the power to choose floor plans, fixtures, materials, wall colours, and more. The end result is a home that is already perfectly suited to your unique tastes. 

Pro: Never Lived In Before 

Do you know how people talk about that “new car smell?” Well, imagine that but for houses. Buying a new construction home means you are the original owner and the only person who has ever lived in the home. You don’t need to worry about anything done by the previous owners. 

Pro: Warranty

It’s hard to put a price on peace of mind, but in Calgary, all new homes with building permits acquired after 2014 are required to be covered by a home warranty. The details of the warranty will be covered in your purchase documents but typically include a warranty on defects in materials or labour, roof and wall protection, and major structural integrity issues. 

You can learn more about the minimum warranty coverage on new homes here. 

Pro and Con: Delayed Closing 

When you buy a new construction home, the transaction technically closes once the home is ready for you to move into. Therefore, closings could be months or sometimes even years after you initially purchased the property. Delaying the closing means you have more time to save money and prepare. Depending on your unique situation, this could be a pro or a con! 

Con: Construction Delays 

Unfortunately, construction delays are a very real part of buying a new construction home. This was particularly true during the pandemic when there were significant labour and material shortages. If your new home is delayed, you may need to make alternate arrangements for shelter for the time of the delay, this is especially true if you are selling your existing home or planning to end a lease at the right time to move into your new build.

Con: Tax

In Alberta, GST is charged on new home sales. In most cases, this cost is built into the final price of the home, but it is an added cost to consider. However, depending on your unique situation, you may qualify for partial rebates on the GST paid on new construction homes. 

Keep reading these blogs next: 

Buying a Resale Home in Calgary: The Pros and Cons 

A resale home is essentially any property that has been previously owned and is not a “new construction.” For many buyers, the resale market is where they are most familiar and likely to buy. But if you’re on the fence about resale, here are some pros and cons to help you decide: 

Pro: More Character 

Many buyers will opt for a resale home because the property simply has more character. Resale homes are often more unique since they are not being built en masse by developers. If you’re looking for a unique home with character and history, a resale home is definitely for you.

Pro: They Are Located in More Established Neighbourhoods

Resale homes are also often older properties, meaning they are situated in older, more established neighbourhoods. With new constructions, you may end up living in an unfinished construction site while the homes around you get built. Or you may not experience living with ample green space around you, since the local landscaping is so new. Resale homes located in established neighbourhoods are often surrounded by mature trees and established amenities with fewer active construction sites. 

Speaking of the neighbourhood, read our blog about 6 reasons you should befriend your neighbour right here.

Pro: The Lots are Larger 

Depending on the location and style of the home, resale properties are often situated on larger lots than new builds. Homes that were built in the 1980s and 1990s prioritized larger lots. If you’re looking for a home with a big, private backyard, a resale home is probably the best choice for you.

Con: Repairs and Renovations 

Unlike new construction homes in Calgary, resale homes do not come with a warranty. If the home needs anything fixed, replaced, or renovated, that will be up to you to organize and pay for. Additionally, unlike a new build where there is a level of customization available at the construction level, if there is anything you’d like to change in a resale home, you’ll need to renovate it after you move in.

Curious about what it’s like to buy a home in Calgary with Dolce Real Estate Group? Check out our Buyer’s page on our site right here.

How to Buy a New Construction Home Vs. a Resale Home 

Whether you’re going the route of the new build or you prefer to stick with a resale property, there’s one thing that is the same throughout: and that is using an experienced real estate agent to help with the transaction. 

An established Realtor® will help identify your needs and wants, show you properties that fit your criteria, and then negotiate for you on your behalf to get the best possible deal on your purchase. 

Do you have more questions about buying new construction vs. resale homes? Get in touch with us directly. Call 403.999.5882 or email us at info@dolcerealestate.ca today.

Get Our Newsletter

And get all you need to keep up with Calgary real estate.

Sign Up