New homes typically have a higher sales price than comparable existing homes, and buyers are usually willing to spend more on a new home because of lower maintenance costs. Builders' warranties on new homes, when combined with a new roof, appliances, and major systems, usually make major repairs unnecessary and help to counter a slower initial rate of appreciation.

Census Bureau Housing Surveys suggests that operating costs are lowest for brand new homes and slightly higher for relatively new existing homes. Operating costs per square foot of living space are consistently higher for progressively older existing homes. Utility costs represent the largest factor in operating costs. Energy consumption per square foot depends on the size of the home, the insulation and quality of the windows, air leakage and the efficiency of the furnace.

New homes require fewer expenditures for routine maintenance. The cost of maintenance first increases with age, then declines, so you will generally spend less maintaining a home built before 1960 than for a home built between 1970 and 1975.

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Celia Simmer and Elke Simmer
TRAPP GMAC Real Estate
3321 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Cell: 319-240-4337 or 240-3034
Toll Free: 877-292-2121
Office: 319-277-2121 ext 204
Fax: 319-277-2127
Email: Celia@CF4Sale.com
Email: Elke@cfu.net

Are you interested in buying or selling real estate in Waterloo or Cedar Falls, Iowa? If so, you've come to the right place! My name is Celia Simmer, and for the last 15 years, I've specialized in helping my clients find the perfect home or commercial space in beautiful Black Hawk County. Elke Gerdes, my daughter, and I would like you to allow us to be your guides.

Want to invest in housing for your University of Northern Iowa student? Need school information from this area? As a life-long residents and graduates of UNI, we know the town and its market. We've worked with buyers in Waterloo and Cedar Falls; Denver, Dike, Hudson, and Wavery.

Introducing people who are relocating to this area is easy for us, having been raised here ourselves and raising our children here. We take great pride in providing top quality real estate service and first class performance.

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