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Originally Posted by anywaybecause
 Is there anyone already living in the neighborhood? Drive by and talk to owners who are out in the yard. How long have they been living there? Are they happy with the house? How responsive is the builder to problems? What is the neighborhood like so far? How is the association? (mostly maintenance, or picky about the height of your lawn?) Google the builder and look for complaints against them. Ask your agent for the location of another community the builder has completed, preferably over 10 years ago, so you can see how the homes hold up over time. Talk to *those* residents, as well.
Often, with new construction, you can choose colors of siding, interior paint, cabinetry, etc., if you choose a lot that is early in the process. You can visit the site every day if you want to, and inspect the work as it's in progress. You will have to pay for some of your upgrades, but in this market, the builder may meet you partway, and give you a discount. You do need to be aware that there could be delays (another thing to check -- how often is the builder late?), and also that the closer to done the house is, the less you get to choose. New homes do tend to come with a warranty, too. IMO, if it's a reputable builder, and you like the home & neighborhood, then it's worth considering. Wendy |
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Originally Posted by beachmouse
There are probably going to be landscaping issues. You don't have to be an ubergardener, but figure about $200 for some basic shrubs and a starter tree or two.
Window treatments- many pre-owned homes will let you keep the cheap miniblinds that are already installed. In some state/municiplaities, they'll hit you with 'growth management fees' on new construction. The idea is that the newcomers are helping to pay for the new schools, fire stations, road-widenings, etc. that a population increase in an area can require. In parts of Florida, those can run you $10K or more in addition to the list price of the home if they're not included in the sales price. |
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Originally Posted by 1growingsprout
HOA FEES, taxes, quality of workkmanship, meaning will the quality of work hold up over time of you will end up replacing and red-doing thing over the years.... what quality of flooring is being used? window quality? plumbing fixtures?? etc
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Originally Posted by anywaybecause
Chances are that most stuff is builder's grade. However, they should have a Spec Sheet (Specification Sheet) available that gives a fair number of details, like the type and RU value of the insulation they are using, or the depth of the concrete foundation.
Yes, you do have to trust them, but IMO, you have to trust anyone you buy from. If you're buying an older home and someone claims to have encased all the lead paint, how do you know they really did it properly? When you're buying something as big as a house, there's always a risk. If you can't find a lot about the builder online, then definitely visit other neighborhoods they have built. If the builder has a website, they probably have some of their other communities listed. You might also be able to check the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been filed. |
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Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy
During the first year after building, the house will settle and some cracks may appear in the drywall or foundation - with an existing house, the settling has already occurred so you know how bad it will be. The builder's 1 year warranty is worth nothing if they are no longer in business.
I have always left window treatments with the house. Cordless cellular blinds are $60 per window these days. You can post on your local craigslist and ask buyers of that builder: "would you do it again?" or you can knock on doors. Be very very sure to get a home inspection on new construction - an inspector you pick not one suggested by your agent. |
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Originally Posted by sanguine_speed
Our new construction house is just about finished
:.Here, people MUST purchase home insurance through one specific private corporation that is sort of mandated through the government. At closing, all new homebuyers pay an insurance premium (ours is about $850), and the following is covered: New home owners benefit from One Year Warranty Protection and Two Year Warranty Protection against defects in work and materials, and Seven Year Warranty Protection against major structural defects (MSD). It also covers compensation for delays that fall outside of the guidelines, and delays for which proper notice of at least 90 days is not given. It was easier to make the decision to purchase new construction with some backup. Also, we bought from a reputable builder. Past success and happy customers is a good sign, as is longevity of the company. We also did a pre-drywall inspection to see what's really behind the walls. One thing to potentially consider is the land quality. Do you live near water? Previously a flood plane? Oh and YES a private inspector! The DAY you move in if not before. |
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Originally Posted by lisa_nc
I had to buy my own daggone mailbox. Landscaping is far and away our biggest issue though.
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Originally Posted by lifeguard
They often cheap out on stupid things you don't think to look at. Friends of ours bought & the house ended up having all plastic vent covers in the floor - all it took was one person to step on them for them to break. Potentially dangerous, annoying & ended up costing them over $200 to replace all of them.
Take a close look at the light fixtures & bathroom fixtures as well. As pp said they will often use low quality or builder grade fixtures. They may function just fine but you may look at them & know that you'll want to replace them & that can easily added up to hundreds. |
: )
You want to find one who won't whitewash the home.|
Originally Posted by polyhymnia
I've already discovered one issue: it does not come with fridge, washer, dryer, so these will be added expenses. What other issues are unique to a new construction? |
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Originally Posted by AllyRae
We're doing a new construction right now (actually, it's our second new construction as we had a house in 2002 that we had built as well). If it's already in the process of being built, you've already passed some of the issues (having to pull permits, get temporary electric up, etc.)
Right now, the issues you might be facing: -Find out your deed restrictions and see if there are restrictions on things like animals, clothing lines, noise, garage doors/parking, sheds, etc. -Do you need to have a sidewalk installed? -Landscaping/grass/topsoil -Mail box -Getting gas/cable/electric/water/phone hooked up -Getting your permenant stairs constructed for all exterior doors (nope, this is not standard with all builders and nope, you can't legally occupy a house until you have stairs built!). Sometimes they have temporary steps going in, but you'll have to finish them. -Find out if you will need to install a permenant driveway. The construction/gravel driveway is meant to be temporary and is often not replaced by concrete/asphault by the builder. It may be required in your subdivision to do so. -Final grade...your builder will most likely not put your final grade of topsoil down nor finish it to a smooth flat surface...you'll have to have it done. Likewise, landscaping aside, it will be a muddy disaster in the fall/spring, so you will need to have it seeded with straw laying down. -An electric garage door opener with remote key pads and a child safety sensor. Find out if you're getting one or is your garage door the standard garage door that you have to go yank up and down (impossible for a short person like me! : ) |
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Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy
You could find one here: http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/ Or, ask around (not your realtor!) I would do a brief phone interview: how many years in the business, how many inspections per year, what special training do you have? What kind of defects do you typically find in new construction? How long does a typical inspection take? After the basic questions are out of the way, ask what they think of home builder X and builder Y. They may have something interesting to say. You want to find one who won't whitewash the home.You also want one well trained... I passed a "home inspector test" online with no studying or prep. For about $500, I could be a home inspector with a national certification. That would not be particularly fair to the customers, as HI need to know local code. |
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Originally Posted by A&A
Most houses you buy will not come with fridge, washer or dryer. The people who move out usually take those items with them.
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A gas stove is negotiable but I will still be sad not to have it.
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Originally Posted by A&A
Most houses you buy will not come with fridge, washer or dryer. The people who move out usually take those items with them.
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