Brand New House Vs. Custom Built House

[phlydude]

If you buy a new house in a development, there is generally an additional thing to consider...the H.O.A. - the biggest pain in the ass of living in a development.
You can't even put up a fence or a shed without approval.

Next place I buy is going to be a land purchase and have a house built on it. Yeah, you generally have to pay more for utilitiesto be run but you don't have to answer to anything other than the code of law for your area...no snivelling losers with too much time on their hands to try to fine you when you leave your trash can out when you go on vacation.

Stick with the custom built option if you can find the right land in the right place for the right price.