Buying a renovated home vs. new construction? (house, neighborhood)

[movingtoGR]

Hi - my husband and I are currently looking to move to the GR area in Sept and focusing our search on East GR as that seems to be the most appealing neighborhood to us. WE are in the process of searching for a house and have the option of buying new vs. buying old with newer renovations. We keep coming across a " J Petersen" builders - they seem to have a good reputation for new, quality homes. Has anyone heard of them or had personal experience? Alternatively, can anyone recommend a quality contractor for general renovation work if we chose to go that route? In general, the housing market seems to be making a great comeback in the East GR market (as evidence by the rising home prices) but any personal experience with recent home buying/selling in GR would be welcome. Thank you!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by movingtoGR

Hi - my husband and I are currently looking to move to the GR area in Sept and focusing our search on East GR as that seems to be the most appealing neighborhood to us. WE are in the process of searching for a house and have the option of buying new vs. buying old with newer renovations. We keep coming across a " J Petersen" builders - they seem to have a good reputation for new, quality homes. Has anyone heard of them or had personal experience? Alternatively, can anyone recommend a quality contractor for general renovation work if we chose to go that route? In general, the housing market seems to be making a great comeback in the East GR market (as evidence by the rising home prices) but any personal experience with recent home buying/selling in GR would be welcome. Thank you!

I think it really depends on what you prefer, new or old construction. Even older homes that have been renovated are scaled for a different time period, and may not have things that people have become accustomed to like walk-in closets and large mudrooms. Don't skimp on the mudroom if at all possible, by the way, if you have kids and/or dogs. But older homes have older bones and tend to have more details in the trim work, brick work and bannisters.

I've seen J Peterson's signs all over East. He seems to have cornered the market there on tear downs and rebuilds. I think the work is pretty good or he wouldn't be doing some of the very high end homes they do.

Huffman Homes does great renovation work (and new construction as well).

If you need additional help, feel free to message me.