An engaged couple in Maple Grove chose a nearly-new Lennar Washburn resale over building new, paid asking price with seller-paid closing costs, and saw it appraise above the purchase price.
The Move at a Glance
| Buyers | Engaged couple leaving a rental |
|---|---|
| Where | Maple Grove |
| Home | Lennar Washburn: 4 bed, 4 bath, 3-car, 3,328 finished sq ft |
| Bonus | Unfinished basement for later |
| Outcome | Seller-paid closing costs; appraised above price |
Comparing four paths on one scorecard
The couple was open to a quick move-in home, a spec home, building from the ground up or a home a few years old. CJ Norman had them score every option on location between their workplaces, usable space and long-term plans, so similar finishes stopped driving the decision. The new construction buying guide lays out those paths.
Why the resale won
The Washburn plan worked immediately and sat in an established neighborhood, with an unfinished basement for a future project. A newer resale also skips the wait and the lot premiums that come with building in Maple Grove.
Negotiating without cutting price
The asking price already reflected strong value and theirs was the only offer, so CJ Norman held at asking and negotiated seller-paid closing costs instead. The appraisal came in above the purchase price.
What Other Buyers and Sellers Can Take From It
- New construction is not automatically better than a home a few years old.
- Score every option on location, usable space and timeline, not finishes.
- With no competition, closing-cost help can beat a price cut.
More on this kind of move lives on the New Construction Buyers page, in client reviews, and in CJ Norman's own account of this case study. See every story in Client Stories.