Avoid Winter Maintenance Costs. Choose New Construction.

We’ve shared our thoughts in previous about the benefits of buying a brand new home versus an existing home. Some of the reasons to consider new construction are related to the season.

Winter in New England wears on homes and that’s when some of the most expensive repairs are necessary. Often Murphy’s Law is at work and it’s during the coldest stretch of weather that the furnace gives out, the water heater floods the basement, or old pipes freeze and burst. Ice dams on the roof are another worry. Roofs that need replacing can leak.

Older homes are most at risk for these maintenance emergencies. Home buyers rarely think beyond the cost of a mortgage. If you’re looking at existing homes that are decades old, the cost of maintenance and repairs should be factored in.

What if you could avoid the stress and worry that comes with anticipating those pricey repairs, not to mention dealing with them? That’s possible if you buy a new home. Buying new construction means you not only get a new roof, new water heater, new pipes and appliances, but they carry warranties that can cover you for years.

New construction has better insulation and newer systems to keep your house warm and in working order. Energy efficiency in new homes can save you up to 30 percent on your utility bills, according to Energy.gov.

Even if you do live in a home that’s less than ten years old, there are things you can — and should! — do this time of year to help prevent maintenance issues:

• Clean gutters and downspouts regularly so that leaves and other debris don’t build up. It’s also a good time to check that water is not coming down behind gutters and that all support brackets are securely in place.

• Replace the filter in your furnace and have a heating professional give your heating system a check-up to ensure optimal performance and diagnose any minor problems before they become major repairs at the most inconvenient time.

• Clean your ducts to reduce household dust.

• Make sure you know where the water shut-off valve is in case pipes freeze.

• Call a professional to inspect and clean your chimney. If you use your fireplace a lot during the fall and winter, it should be clean annually.

Interested in pursuing new construction? The next decision will be whether to build your own or purchase a new home in a planned development, such as the many we offer in communities throughout southern New Hampshire,.