New Construction or Resale?
What Treasure Coast Buyers Should Know
We help buyers across Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fort Pierce, and Port St. Lucie make this call every week. Here's what we tell them.
At a Glance
New Construction
- Condition
- Everything new, under builder warranty
- Timeline
- Months if building; faster for spec homes
- Negotiating
- Builders protect price; incentives instead
- Monthly costs
- Watch for CDD fees and new HOAs
- Landscaping
- New and small
- Neighborhood
- Still filling in
- Customization
- Choose finishes and upgrades
Resale
- Condition
- Varies by home and age
- Timeline
- Typically 30 to 45 days
- Negotiating
- Price, repairs, and credits all on the table
- Monthly costs
- Usually known and established
- Landscaping
- Mature trees and shade
- Neighborhood
- Settled and established
- Customization
- What you see is what you get
Why Buyers Choose New Construction
- Nothing to fix for years. New roof, new AC, new appliances. That matters in Florida, where roof age affects insurance.
- Builder warranty. Coverage varies by builder, so we review it with you before you sign.
- Built to current code. Newer homes are built to today's wind and energy standards.
- Your choices. If you buy early, you pick the finishes.
- Builder incentives. Builders often help with closing costs or rate buydowns, especially when they have inventory to move.
Why Buyers Choose Resale
- More room to negotiate. Price, repairs, and seller credits are all fair game.
- Faster move-in. Most resale homes close in 30 to 45 days.
- Established neighborhoods. Mature trees, finished amenities, and no construction next door.
- Better locations. Many of the closest-in spots to the beach, river, and downtowns were built out years ago.
- Real history. You can see how the home and neighborhood have held up over time.
Costs Buyers Often Miss
The base price is rarely the final price. Before you compare a new build to a resale, look at these:
- CDD fees. Many newer communities, especially in Port St. Lucie, have a Community Development District fee on the tax bill. It can add real money to your monthly cost.
- HOA dues. New communities sometimes raise dues once the builder hands control to the residents.
- Lot premiums. Water views, corner lots, and preserve views usually cost extra.
- Upgrades. The model home is almost always fully upgraded. The base price usually isn't.
- Extras after closing. Window treatments, landscaping, and fencing may not be included.
We'll help you compare the true monthly cost, not just the sticker price.
Bring Your Agent on the First Visit
The friendly person in the sales office works for the builder, not for you. Their job is to get the best deal for the builder.
Many builders require your agent to be with you, or registered, on your very first visit. If you walk in alone, you may lose the chance to have your own representation on that home. In most cases, the builder pays the buyer's agent, so having us on your side typically costs you nothing.
Call or text us before you stop by any model home.
Yes, Inspect a New Home
New doesn't mean perfect. Crews are busy, and small mistakes get missed. An independent inspection before closing can catch issues while the builder is still responsible for fixing them.
We also recommend a check before your warranty runs out, so nothing slips through.
Not Sure Which Is Right for You?
We'll walk you through both, side by side, with real numbers for the neighborhoods you're considering. No pressure, just straight answers.
RE/MAX Gold