New Construction vs. Resale: What Middle Tennessee Buyers Should Compare
Deciding between a new home and an existing one? Here's what to compare and the questions to ask about any home you're considering.
The short answer
There isn't one right answer for every buyer. The better fit depends on your budget, your timeline, how much you want to personalize and how much upkeep you're ready to take on. Compare the total cost of each home you're considering, not just the price, and ask the questions below about every home on your list.
What to compare, and what to ask
| Factor | New Patterson home | Resale home |
|---|---|---|
| Price and incentives | Patterson lists any current incentives on its Current Offers page. Offers vary by community and change over time. | Ask your agent how the price compares with recent sales nearby. |
| Total cost | Ask your lender for an estimate that includes closing costs, taxes, insurance and any HOA dues. | Ask the same, and budget for any repairs or updates you'd want to make. |
| Major systems | The home and its systems are newly built. | Ask how old the roof, HVAC, water heater and appliances are. |
| Warranty | Patterson homes include warranty coverage through the Professional Warranty Service Corporation (PWSC), and many products carry manufacturer warranties. | Ask whether any warranties remain and whether they transfer to you. |
| Personalization | On homes not yet built, you choose your homesite, floor plan and finishes at the design center. | Ask what you'd want to change after moving in and what it would cost. |
| Move-in timing | Ask for the estimated timeline. Homes available now or nearing completion are listed on Available Homes. | Ask about the seller's timeline and whether the home is vacant. |
| During the process | Patterson schedules four meetings during construction plus weekly builder updates. | Ask what inspections, disclosures and repair negotiations will look like. |
| HOA | Ask whether the community has an HOA and what it covers. | Ask the same. |
What comes with a new Patterson home
- A newly built home in a Patterson community in Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, Spring Hill or Madison, with Briley Hill coming soon to Cane Ridge.
- Warranty coverage through PWSC, explained in Understanding Your New Home Warranty.
- Personalization on homes not yet built, from homesite and floor plan to design center selections. See Personalizing Your Presale.
- Four scheduled meetings and weekly updates during construction. See Your 4 Key Meetings.
For the full step by step process, read Buying a New Construction Home in Tennessee.
When a resale home may fit better
A resale home may make more sense if you need to be in a specific neighborhood where no new homes are being built, or if your timeline is shorter than any available new home allows. Asking the same questions about both will help you see which fits.
Townhome or single family home?
If you're also weighing home types, compare upkeep, space and community features side by side.
New construction vs. resale questions
Is a new construction home more expensive than a resale home?
It depends on the specific homes. Compare the total cost of each, including incentives, closing costs, HOA dues and any repairs or updates you'd plan to make, and ask your lender for estimates.
Does Patterson offer incentives?
Patterson lists current incentives, when available, on its Current Offers page. Offers vary by community and change over time.
What warranty comes with a new Patterson home?
Patterson provides warranty coverage through the Professional Warranty Service Corporation (PWSC). Products like appliances and HVAC units also carry their own manufacturer warranties.
Can I personalize a new construction home?
On Patterson homes that aren't built yet, you choose your homesite, floor plan and finishes at the design center.
How soon can I move into a new Patterson home?
It depends on the home. Ask our sales team for the estimated timeline, or see homes available now or nearing completion on the Available Homes page.
What should I ask about a resale home?
Ask how old the major systems are, whether any warranties remain, what the inspection and disclosures show, and what updates you'd want to make.
See what's available now
Browse homes that are available now or nearing completion, or call our team with questions.
Patterson Company, LLC is an Equal Housing Opportunity builder. Information on this page is general in nature. Incentives, availability and timelines vary by home and community and are subject to change.