If you’ve been giving serious thought to purchasing your first or second home, you may have already viewed several existing houses for sale. Have any of these come close to what you imagined your new home should be? Even when these homes are within your desired price range, it’s possible you will still need to remodel one or more rooms, replace out-dated appliances, and create new landscaping in order to make it just right.

While the costs associated with renovations and repairs may be within your budget, wouldn’t you prefer to move into a house that already has everything you want and need? Recent figures show that 8% of first-time and repeat buyers are earning $200,000 a year or more. Homes that are priced at $500,000 or higher are being purchased by 10% of these buyers. While the local housing market depends on a variety of factors, including housing availability, why not consider purchasing a new home within a production homebuilders community?

If you’re curious about production home builders, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) states these developments are privately-owned, planned communities with a variety of amenities. In addition to being close to shopping areas, they tend to have walking and bike trails, beautiful landscaping, and playgrounds.

There are several benefits to purchasing a home in one of these communities. In addition to being able to choose from several home design plans, open floor plans may also be an option, according to NAHB. Since open floor plans have become even more popular for family life and entertaining, you may enjoy seeing these as well during a model home tour.

Interior and exterior changes may also be available. You might, for example, have the option of choosing a large, modern shower stall rather than a bathtub. Exterior changes could include adding a patio or deck rather than a grassy area or flower bed.

Production homebuilders usually provide other interior options so that you home reflects your taste, personality, and lifestyle. NAHB states homebuilders, in general, will offer prospective buyers several options on interior features. These are also available at different price points, which can be an added convenience whether or not you need to remain within a specific budget:

• Appliances
• Countertops
• Carpeting
• Flooring
• Cabinetry
• Fixtures

In 2014, NAHB conducted a survey with Millennials on what they most wanted in a house. While the features vying for first position did vary, these were all considered to be important or essential:

• Separate laundry room
• Linen closet
• Walk-in pantry
• Garage storage
• Bulk-purchase storage area

Another survey showed that 49% of prospective home buyers would actually pay more for a home with an ensuite master bath. Central air conditioning is something else that homeowners are willing to pay more to have. New kitchen appliances are on that list, with roughly 69% of homeowners willing to pay more for these.

Since production homebuilders tend to be environmentally-conscious and want to provide energy-efficient homes, NAHB states these new constructions have increased insulation and Energy Star-certified appliances. It has been shown that when combined with proper insulation, Energy Star-certified appliances can increase efficiency, lower utility costs, and benefit the environment.

Once you take a tour of the model homes at a production homebuilders community development, you can ask about the home building process and timeline. When considering the benefits of moving into a new, rather than an older home, it’s important to remember that you will be part of a community.