Things to Consider When Purchasing a New Home Build versus a Resale Home
In Las Vegas, we are currently experiencing a small shortage of resale housing inventory, which has made the expanding new home market increasingly popular. So what does that mean exactly for home buyers today?
Well, a couple years ago a buyer had plenty of options to choose from when it came to selecting a house. They could find homes in the area they wanted and usually at a price point that was within their budget. Now, we’re seeing the opposite, and we are finding ourselves with a lack of resale housing inventory.
However, what Las Vegas does not have a lack of is new home builds. So, how is purchasing a new home (new build/new construction) different than a resale, and which is better? Let me break down some key characteristics to consider.
Why You Should Always Bring an Agent to a New Home
Looking at new homes is exciting and fun, and not only that, but the agents there make it seem so easy to sit down and purchase your home. You simply walk through the models, choose your favorite, pick your favorite little piece of dirt in the neighborhood for your house to sit on, sign your contract, and there you have it. You now own your own home.
Well, one thing new home builders and the agents there, don’t want you to know is that you can bring your own agent with you to represent you in the transaction. Why would they not tell you something like this you ask? Well, if you forgo your own agent and simply work with the one at the new home site, the builder gets to pocket the money that they’ve set aside in their budget for your agent’s commission.
National home equity is falling, but Las Vegas bucks the trend. While U.S. household real estate values dropped $361 billion in Q3 2025 and equity-rich homes declined nationwide, Vegas homeowners maintain strong positions with just 0.5% distressed sales.
Our market's resilience stems from locked-in low mortgage rates (averaging 4%), economic diversification, zero state income tax, and sustainable price growth. Unlike Sun Belt markets experiencing sharp corrections, Las Vegas prices are down only 2% from peaks—a healthy normalization, not a crisis. Local homeowners should feel confident despite concerning national headlines.