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Things you must consider when buying a new build home
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| 1.Research the Community & Area
Make sure you know everything you can about the neighborhood and the surrounding area. Get familiar with the community site plan and drive around the streets. If you can, talk to some neighbors about their experience in the community. If you’re a parent and new to the town or city, find out about the schools. Do some driving around, including a trial run of your commute to work, to schools, and to make sure you’re familiar with everything you will have to deal with on a daily basis.
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| 2.Research the Builder
"The way you may research a new car is exactly how you should look into a builder.” In other words, do your homework! Check out review sites, state licensing boards, and local court records. Talk to previous customers and current homeowners. Find out if the builder uses independent subcontractors, what kind of insurance they carry, and verify all licenses and bonds. The more you know, the better off you’ll be.
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3.Understand the Floorplan & What’s Included
Main Level
When you zero in on the floorplan that’s best for you, make sure you understand it completely – including what’s included and what’s not. Remember, what’s in a model home may not be exactly what’s included with every home. So ask your sales agent for a list of all the extras in the model.Also, walk through a physical home if possible, whether that’s a model home or a home of your floorplan that’s under construction. It’s like test-driving a car — it will really help give you a sense of the space, the layout, and the flow of the home, much more than looking at a floorplan can.
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| 4.Take Advantage of Builder Incentives & Promotions
You can save a lot of money with special builder incentives and promotions, so make sure to ask what’s currently being offered.
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| 5.Ask About Warranties
Realtytimes.com offers this wise advice about warranties: “Most builders offer warranties on materials and workmanship… Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered and what process you need to follow to get something fixed.”
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| 6.Have the Home Inspected & Do a Final Walkthrough
Home inspections aren’t just for previously built homes. It’s recommended that you have your new home inspected as well. “After an inspection, it’s critical to do a walk-through with the builder. It’s during this time that you can point out major cosmetic issues (such as nail pops or chips in cabinetry) or any other major issues… Never close on a new-construction house without doing a final walk-through to ensure that all of the punch-list items have been completed to your satisfaction.”
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