WHY NEW CONSTRUCTION?

There are many reasons for purchasing new construction. For one thing, everything is brand new. The roof, furnace, air conditioner, appliances - everything will be in new condition. Therefore, there will be no repair surprises; so for years to come, you should have little to no maintenance costs.

Another reason is that you can have the home custom built to your way of life. You may want formal compartments for living and dining, or great open expanses for a more casual living style. Since no one has lived there before, everything is clean, and there is no decorating to undo. You can start from scratch, and turn your new home into a reflection of your taste and personality.

If you need more space, you can usually contract with the builder to finish the basement, or reconfigure the floor plan to give you more living space. There are so many options.

The main thing to remember is to plan out your new home. Changes and additions made after the contract cost you and the builder money. It is very important to understand your needs and budget ahead of time if you plan to do a to be built home. This is where I can help you. It is my job to help you understand your options, and to plan for your present and future home needs. We then convey that plan to the builder, and follow the home through construction, so that there are no surprises. We want the furniture to move into the home you have created in your mind. Our job is to help the builder accurately see this home.

Most builders build to a certain formula. When they build a spec home or new construction, there is very little play in the price, unless they want to work for free for four to eight months. The formula is easy. The cost of the lot, improving the lot, materials, labor, 20 to 25% for the bank charges, attorneys, architects, realtors, and of course, the builder's profit. It does not leave room for errors, changes, or extra expenses. Many builders go out of business because there is no profit when they are done, and they can not pay the bills. The building industry is very competitive, and the margins are very tight. Therefore, you will receive value for what you pay, but there will not be the room for negotiation as there is in existing homes. The prices are pretty much the prices; and the annual statistics show that new homes average 100% of asking price. Builders will bend over backwards to make you happy with the quality of their service. They may even do slight additions at very close to cost for you. However, the price they quote is for the home they quote. There is no room for mistakes or freebies.

If you have arrived at that point in your life, however, where you want it your way, new construction may be the way for you to go. You will be a full partner in the planning and execution. You choose the siding, trim, and roof colors, carpet, cabinets, fixtures, room sizes, and the list goes on and on.  If you do not want the time commitment and hassle of all of these decisions, then you are probably better off choosing a spec home (a new home already built to one of the builder's plans) that fit's the closest to your needs, personality, and budget.

Remember, that there are some potential negatives to purchasing new construction, as well.  No one has control over Mother Nature, so if the weather does not cooperate, your home’s completion could be pushed back from the original date the builder had given you.  Also, landscaping and window coverings are items that some builders are now including as options, but most of the time these are additional costs that come out of your pocket after closing.