HOT Magazine June 15, 2015 | Page 76

Community Amenities: Many new homes are built in lavish master-planned communities with resort-style community centers, pools and clubhouses. Advanced Technology and Design: It’s possible to replace all of the single-pane windows in a resale home with today’s high-performance windows. It’s also possible to add insulation to a used home. However, it’s very expensive to replace dated appliances, cabinets and countertops in a used home — and you still won’t have the high ceilings you dream of on the first floor of an older two-story home. All are reasons to build your new home your way, to reflect the way you live today.  Safety: State-of-the-art circuit breakers. Electric gate openers with infrared beams that stop if a tricycle or child is too near. High-efficiency air conditioners that use the latest environmentally-friendly coolants. Cabinets and paints that use fewer volatile organic compounds, so that you and your family can breathe easier.  That New Home Feel: A used home was someone else’s dream, not yours. It reflects their choices and family memories. You may learn to love avocado-green appliances (and you may be willing to scrub stained countertops or greaseencrusted ovens and cooktops) but more and more people prefer that never lived-in feel.  After all, when was the last time you went to a department store and selected used clothes? Or visited a car dealer and paid more for a used car than a new car? New homes offer the latest designs, style, comfort and quality. They provide a carefree lifestyle so that you can enjoy your home, not work on it.  New home or used? There are certainly benefits to both and in my opinion both should be explored before making that big buying decision. Next month I’ll share my thoughts on the benefits of buying a resale property. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Russ Downing is Managing Director of HOT Hua Hin Property and has for the last 8 years headed up the Hua Hin judging team for the Thailand Property Awards, widely seen as the Academy Awards for the Thailand Property Sector. Russ’s articles have been translated and re-printed in a large popular Chinese magazine and he has had 3 of his luxury listings chosen for the Wall Street Journal’s “House of the Day” feature with near worldwide exposure in the WSJ’s U.S., European and Asian editions as well as on-line. If you are looking to purchase a home in Hua Hin contact Russ at 084 387 5699 or russ@ hothuahin.com. 76 June July 15 June 1515--July 15, ,2015 2015