If your DIY to‑do list makes you want to cry—or you’re ready to wave goodbye to your landlord—there’s good news: now is a great time to buy a new home in Utah. The original article highlights five timely reasons: favorable rent‑vs‑own math, historically low interest‑rate context, ample new‑home inventory, serious energy‑bill savings, and the ability to personalize your home in an amenity‑rich community like Daybreak.
Editor’s note: The following sections preserve the 2015 data points and quotes from the original post for historical accuracy, while adding modern internal links for readers who want to explore Daybreak today.
1) Owning vs. Renting: The Math Favored Buyers
Back in 2015, the Salt Lake Board of Realtors observed that an apartment building boom was pushing rental rates higher—often around $1.40 per square foot for new product. In the example given, a new 1,000‑square‑foot two‑bedroom apartment at ~$1,400/month could cost more than the mortgage payment on a median‑priced home. Additionally, households at the valley’s median income could afford two‑thirds of homes sold in 2014.
Want to compare for yourself? Review today’s Renting vs. Owning guide and browse current homes for sale in Daybreak.
2) Stretch Your Dollar With Low Interest‑Rate Context
Over the prior three years (from the 2015 vantage point), buyers enjoyed some of the lowest mortgage rates in 44 years, according to Freddie Mac’s historical data. Lower rates translated to lower payments and “more house for the money.” However, the article also noted expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise short‑term rates by mid‑2015, supported by low unemployment and strong job growth—so acting sooner preserved affordability.
To explore financing today, connect with builders and lenders through Find a Home and plan a visit to the Info Studio at the Cove House.
3) Inventory: New Homes Were Ready When Resale Was Tight
The article cited limited resale inventory in Greater Salt Lake—“the lowest level since before the recession,” according to Eric Allen (then Director for Metrostudy’s Utah/Idaho region—now part of Zonda). In contrast, master‑planned communities like Daybreak maintained a pipeline of homes ready on short notice. If you preferred something already complete, you could see what’s move‑in ready.
4) Save Money Every Month: Energy Efficiency
How does a $14 monthly energy bill sound? New construction already saves on utilities, and Daybreak pushed efficiency even further—its average new home was 20–30% more efficient than the average new home outside the community, saving about $60 to over $1,500 per year. Ultra‑efficient options—such as Garbett Homes’ Solaris solar‑powered line—achieved HERS scores of 40 or less, with some homeowners reporting utility bills down near $14/month.
- Learn about ENERGY STAR® certified new homes.
- Tour models in Daybreak to see efficiency features in person: Model Homes.
5) Get Exactly What You Want (and Spend Less on Upkeep)
Buying used often means compromising on big‑ticket finishes—cabinets, exterior materials, flooring, countertops—and renovation costs can escalate fast. By contrast, purchasing new lets you pick a floor plan that fits your life and personalize finishes with the builder. And because everything is new, you typically face less ongoing maintenance and fewer repairs in the early years.
Plus: Amenities You Can’t Renovate Into an Old Subdivision
New‑home communities like Daybreak layer in lifestyle benefits you simply can’t retrofit: 60+ parks, neighborhood pools & splash pads, a 65‑acre Oquirrh Lake, schools within walking distance, and everyday amenities within a 5‑minute walk. To experience it firsthand, start at the Cove House & Info Studio and tour quick‑move‑in homes.
