The joy of moving into a new home or condominium. There’s nothing quite like it. More space, more light, more windows, more storage, more bathrooms, more convenience.

But there’s less, too. Less maintenance, less repairs, less heating and cooling costs, less all-round hassles.

It’s no wonder that more and more people are opting for new homes or condos. There are no compromises with a new home. You pick the lot (or building), the home (or suite), the elevation (the floor and view in the case of condos), the floor plan, the fixtures and the finishes that appeal to YOU.

Here are just a few of the reasons that have motivated people to buy new homes or condos:

“… livable floor plans” Today’s new homes reflect today’s lifestyles, emphasizing family activities and home entertaining. With the kitchen at the heart of every new home, adjoining family or “great” rooms draw everybody together. When it’s time for work or study, home offices or dens are featured on many floor plans. Master bedrooms with sumptuous en-suites have become “retreats” unto themselves. Most new homes have at least 2 ½ baths so it’s definitely not like the old days. Many new homes feature media rooms and new homes and condos are also wired with the latest cable, Internet and other communications technology, right from the outset.

“… imaginative designs” From the biggest new home to the smallest condominium suite, our architects and designers are experts at maximizing every inch of floor space for optimum functionality and added value.

“… lots of light” You’re bound to notice the windows in new homes – there are more of them and they are bigger than with older homes because the design and manufacturing technology is so much better these days.

“… durable, low maintenance materials” All-brick exteriors, vinyl-clad windows and aluminum soffits & fascia are just some of the examples of the types of new home products and materials that reduce the time and expense of continual maintenance. When you buy a condominium, a property management firm takes care of the maintenance outside your suite so you can maximize your work or leisure time.

“… lower heating and cooling costs” Energy-efficient homes not only save you money, they are more comfortable to live in – without drafts or cold spots. High-efficiency furnaces are standard in new homes, insulation in the walls and ceiling is much higher than in older homes and windows are sealed double, even triple-pane assemblies for energy conservation and the added advantage of noise reduction. The building envelope is so much tighter than in past years yet improved ventilation systems make sure there is plenty of fresh air in the house. Natural gas fireplaces have done away with the heat loss, drafts, mess and odour of a wood-burning fireplace and they look as good in a condo suite as in a single-detached home.

“… comforting warranty” They say that Ontario has the best new home warranty in North America, if not the world. It’s mandatory, so that means every new home or condominium sold in Ontario is covered by Tarion. Included is deposit and delayed closing protection; one-year coverage on workmanship and materials; two-year protection on electrical, plumbing and heating; and seven years of peace of mind for major structural defects.

“… safe and sound” All new homes today require smoke detectors that are wired into the home’s electrical system so you never have to worry about batteries while effective in 2010, all high-rise buildings will be sprinklered.

“… lots of closets” Everyone wants more closet space, and builders are responding to that craving from their buyers. Master bedrooms have large walk-in closets (some with separate his and hers), secondary bedrooms are getting larger closets, and laundry rooms have storage space as well while condo floor-plans utilize space brilliantly.

“… new homes have character” Some say character is found only in old homes but new homes have their own character and charm, which increases as a family settles into it. The finishes and fixtures selected by the owners reflect their own tastes. The amenities that fill new homes (hard to find in older homes), such as powder rooms, mud rooms, family rooms, main-floor laundry rooms, en-suite bathrooms and homes offices, all provide the opportunity to create that individual touch and character.

“… a community affair” New homes are often part of a “community” with the design of the homes blending into and enhancing the entire community. You’ll usually find your neighbours compatible. After all, the very traits that attracted you to the new homes community attracted them, too. Adding to the community feeling is the neighbourhood landscaping, such as scenic walkways, neighbourhood parks, schools, community shopping and recreational facilities. Besides, what really creates that community feeling is neighbours watching the kids outdoors, shoveling driveways after a snow-storm, or getting together for an impromptu barbecue dinner on those hot, hazy days of summer.

“… they don’t make them like they used to” The person who coined that phrase was right on, even if he or she didn’t realize it at the time. They don’t make homes like they used to – they make them better.

This article is an update of a brochure originally published by Homes Publishing Group in cooperation with the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association (now BILD) .