If you are currently house hunting and thinking about a new build – here are 3 tips to consider when buying new construction. Whether you find a spec home or start entirely from scratch – a new build is a fun process to work through. As with any sort of home purchase – there are upsides and downsides to consider. I’ll cover those in a future post – today I’ll focus on some tips if you are thinking about new construction or in the process of a new build.
Use a Real Estate Agent
Before you say “you’re an agent – of course you say this.” Let me tell you a story. We built our house and by and large a great experience. That said – there were times we appreciated our agent working on our behalf with the builder. She had the ability to carry topics when things seemed to be languishing. Our agent worked diligently to ensure we were knowledgeable in the process and to offer insight. Considering having an agent is typically a no-cost-to-you benefit – I recommend it every time. Best case – they work on your behalf. Worst case? You have the option to leverage them and never need to. Either way – it’s a win-win. A word of caution – when visiting model homes – share your REALTOR’s info upfront. Oftentimes, after that initial meeting, if the agent is unnamed – the builder’s are unwilling to include them in your file.
Don’t Take all the Available Upgrades
If you have the option to customize your home – do the work and figure out what is important to you and your family. More than likely, in doing this thinking exercise – you will find that you neither need nor want all available upgrades. Every buyer has a different must have list and some make more sense (if you want a certain flooring – I would highly recommend you do that during the build process) than others (Ceiling fans? I don’t think they’re worth the builder mark-up personally). Remember – what you see in the model is more than likely an upgrade that comes at a cost. These smaller costs can quickly add up.
Get an Independent Inspection (or Two)
Yes, you are building a house and everything should be perfect – and local inspectors will be checking the work. That said – do yourself a favor and schedule all allowed inspections. Yes, this will be an out of cost expense you incur – but better to have things found and addressed during the building process than later. Pre-Drywall and Pre-Closing are two of the most popular options. Some clients will opt for a Pre-Slab Inspection as well. Also remember – most builders offer a 12 month warranty on their homes. Therefore, an 11 month inspection can also be a good idea prior to doing your 11 month walk with your builder.
3 Tips When Buying New Construction Is Only a Start
New construction is an entirely different process for home buyers vs. buying an existing home. That said – there are plenty of topics to talk through if this is a path you are considering. Like most anything else in life – everyone has a slightly different experience. Whether you might be considering a spec home or a custom build – if you choose to immerse yourself in the process – you will find there is a wealth of information to absorb. A new build is not for everyone – but for those who choose this path – the outcome is well worth the journey.
If you would like to tour some model homes or discuss a new build, please reach out to me. We have a number of regional and national builders in the area with plenty of options to consider.