Choosing Your Builder
If you're in the market for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you shop for your home.
Once you have thought about the type of house you want, where should you look for a builder? First, check with your local builders association to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in your area. You can also look on HomeBuilder.com, NAHB's official new homes listing web site.
Look in the real estate section of you local newspaper for builders and projects. Looking through the ads and reading the articles can help you to learn which builders are active in your area, the types of homes they are building, and the prices you can expect to pay. Make a list of builders who build the type of home you're looking for in your price range.
Local real estate agents may also be able to help you in your search. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about builders they have dealt with directly, or ask them for names of acquaintances who have recently had a good experience with a builder. If you are from out of the area, additional resources are the neighbors and owners of homes similar to the one you want to have built. The local architectural committee, if there is one in the area you are planning on moving into, is another great resource.
Do Your Homework
Once you have a list of builders, how can you find out about their reputations and the quality of their work? The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and talk with the owners.
Ask builders on your list for the addresses of their recently built homes and subdivisions. Builders may even be able to provide names of some home owners who would be willing to talk with you.
Drive by on a Saturday morning when home owners may be outside doing chores or errands. Introduce yourself and say you are considering buying a home from the builder who built their home. Talk to several owners, and try to get a random sample of opinions. The more people you talk with, the more accurate an impression of a builder you are likely to get. At the very least, drive by and see if the homes are visually appealing.
When you talk to builders and home owners, take along a notebook to record the information you find and your personal impressions about specific builders and homes. Doing so will help you to make comparisons later. Some questions you can ask people include: Are you happy with your home? If you had any problems, were they fixed promptly and properly? Would you buy another home from this builder?
Usually, people tell you if they are pleased with their homes. And if they are not, they'll probably want to tell you why.
Shop For Quality and Value
Look at new homes whenever you can. Home shows and open houses sponsored by builders are good opportunities to look at homes. Model homes and houses displayed in home shows are often furnished to give you ideas for using the space.
You may also ask a builder to see unfurnished homes. When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trimwork, and paint. Ask the builder or the builder's representative a lot of questions. Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers verbally rather than in writing, take notes.
Never hesitate to ask a question. What seems like an insignificant question might yield an important answer. Always keep value in mind when shopping. Just because a home is less expensive than another does not mean it is a better value. Likewise, a more expensive home does not automatically assure higher quality.
Ask Questions About Service
One important criterion for selecting a builder is the warranty provided on the home. Most builders offer some form of written warranty. Many builders back their own warranties on workmanship and materials, typically for one year. Other builders offer warranties backed by an insurance company.
Ask to see a copy of the builder's warranty. Although reading legal documents is tedious, read the warranty to understand what protection you will have. Don't wait to read it until after you move in and a problem arises. If you have any questions about the coverage, ask the builder.
Also, find out from each builder what kind of service you can expect after the sale. Typically, a builder makes two service calls during the first year after you move in to repair nonemergency problems covered by your warranty. The first call is usually 30 to 120 days after the move-in, and the second is around the eleventh month-right before any one year warranties on workmanship and materials expire. For emergencies, the builder should be able to send someone to your home right away.
Some other questions you might ask builders are: How long has the company been in business? Whom do you contact for customer service after the sale? Should requests be in writing? Who will be responsible for correcting problems with major appliances? Does the builder belong to the local builders association (affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders?) Does the builder use state-of-the-art energy features? Equipment, insulation, design, and landscaping can all affect a home's energy efficiency.
A new home is one of the biggest and most important purchases you will make in your lifetime. By doing your homework, you will be able to shop for a home with a sense of confidence and the knowledge that will help you make the right decision. If you have additional questions about selecting a builder, the home builders association in your area can help you find the answers.
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