Buying vs. Building a House in Florida

From present finances to future investments, buying versus building is a serious question for today’s prospective homeowners. Here’s your quick guide on what to consider.

Key Takeaways:

-Buying an existing home may be more budget-friendly but could require additional renovation costs.
-Buying an existing home is a quicker option, though it may involve compromises on layout and upgrades.
-Existing homes in established neighborhoods may offer better resale value and immediate community benefits.

Young, prospective homeowners in Jacksonville are asking a common question: “Do we build a new house, or should we buy?”

Understanding fundamentals like cost per square foot and the various pros and cons of building vs buying are essential, especially in today’s housing market where every dollar counts. 

Here, we’ll take a deep dive into all the key points from different perspectives to help you make a more informed and confident decision.

Cost Considerations

Expense is typically the first consideration in residential construction. Two of the most frequent concerns are how much does buying a house cost on average in Florida, and how much does building a house cost per square foot?

Zillow sets the first figure at $385,851, with our state making Newsweek headlines in March 2025 due to historically high home prices, mortgage rates, and record-high housing inventory.

Depending on your budget (and a healthy dose of optimism), that last situation could be a good thing for Floridians looking to buy. Keep in mind that houses in desirable locations tend to appreciate in price, and that some sellers may be open to a reduced asking price via negotiation.

For aspiring homebuilders in the Sunshine State, HomeAdvisor estimates a cost of between $90 and $165 per square foot, up to an average completion cost of $300,000.

Looking purely at those two averages (buying vs building), we can see a saving of around $85, 851 in favor of building. That’s a big plus! One factor here is that everything’s brand new when building, so no repair costs. 

However, there’s more to consider.

Some price cons of house building which quickly add up are:

–Hiring architects and designers.
–Material and labor costs.
–Possible land acquisition costs.
–Site preparation expenses like grading or excavation.
–Furnishing the space.

Alternatively, some common price cons of buying a home are:

– Purchase price, which can vary dramatically based on location and property tax.
–Closing costs.
–Home inspections.
–Possible repairs.

There’s also one cost liability shared by building and buying: unexpected expenses that can arise even with diligent planning. 

Always set aside some portion of your building or buying budget to buffer against the unforeseen and things nobody can control.

Customization vs. Convenience

Building a home offers complete control over design and features, with the latest tech and architectural styles being available for inclusion right from the planning stage.

For example, many Floridians are becoming more aware of environmental responsibility as it connects to home building, so they’re opting to incorporate technology and materials that better align with these considerations.

Building a greener home can mean a significant reduction in utility bills compared to buying an older, less energy-efficient one, with the caveat of higher upfront costs.

Other possible drawbacks of home customization are more planning and extended project timelines. This could mean paying professionals more for their time while maintaining alternative accommodations until project completion.

This isn’t the case when buying a home, which comes with all the convenience of moving into an established structure right away or, at least, much more quickly than if you were building!

Homebuyers are also more likely to be looked on favorably by mortgage lenders than home builders since an established property is typically seen as much less of a financial risk.

Buying a home can also position people in a well-established neighborhood with good local services and businesses. 

This can be very convenient when it comes to things like schools, shopping, and social activities, which may be more difficult to reach for homebuilders, depending on the location of the land that was available to them.

Long-Term Investment Considerations

Buying and building are both big investments in the moment, and both could be considered long-term, especially if you make the right moves. Incorporating the latest materials and technology into new and energy-efficient residential constructions can make them very attractive to future buyers, as could their unique design profiles.

Previously built houses can also have a lot of architectural character depending on their age, and a well-maintained older property can command a lot of interest and a high price. 

The same is true in today’s market, where even a visually typical home that has been responsibly cared for can become a lucrative future asset.

In both scenarios, paying a mortgage in some form counts as a form of equity on the property, which might be used as future loan collateral or for investing. There’s also the option of renting out a built or bought property, which can generate a steady stream of ongoing income.

The Big Takeaway on Building vs. Buying

Building right the first time requires partnering with an experienced and reliable residential construction company that can manage the entirety of your project from start to finish.

The last thing homebuilders need is unnecessary delays, preventable expenses, and the high costs that can come with building a house without following all applicable local, state, and national codes.

Nor is it that different for homebuyers who may be looking to make additions or subtractions to their newly acquired property. All residential construction work must be carried out to the standard the industry expects while respecting the vision and needs of the home’s owner.

RPC General Contractors is a full-service construction company that’s been helping thousands of clients for over three decades. We expertly handle every aspect of residential construction or renovation, from conceptual planning and design through development and construction management and on to final inspection and documentation.

Let us help you build from the ground up, or assist you in renovating or restoring an existing property. 

Just send us a message, call us at (904) 241-4416, or stop by our Atlantic Beach office. We’d love to hear from you!