Building your own home can be an exciting experience, but it also can be a stressful time if the right precautions are not taken to ensure a smooth process. Here are some tips to keep in mind when building a home.
1.) Get a Realtor®. Even if you are building a home at a subdivision, you should have someone representing you. Find someone you are comfortable with and who you feel you can trust. Keep in mind that you do not have to pay Realtor® fees as a buyer. That expense is the
builder’s responsibility, and the builder will keep the extra profits if you go without representation.
2.) Remember the person in the model home represents the builder, not you. Even though this person may be helpful, it is the builder’s interests who they are paid to protect.
3.) Research subdivisions and builders very well before you make any move. Ask your Realtor® and friends and coworkers if they have heard any “buzz” about a particular builder or subdivision. Many times a builder or subdivision will appear to be great but actually will have a history of problems. Also, you want to know what is happening around the subdivision. Is an overpass in the works? Is the land a
permanent greenbelt? Could behind your back yard turn in to a factory parking lot?
4.) Talk to who would be your neighbors. Are the neighbors nice? Do they seem like people you can be around for a long period of time? Do they seem happy in the neighborhood, or do they have a lot of complaints?
5.) Check crime statistics and sex offender databases. Your local police department can point you in the right direction.
6.) Don’t believe everything you see in the model. Are the ceilings really that high, or is it an upgrade? Is the standard crown molding that thick? Are the archways and curved corners standard? Any builder and a decorator can make a model look good, but is the
model deceiving? Would your house minus the upgrades still be something you would like? Do your research to make an informed decision. Beware builders’ representatives who aren’t open about what would and would not be in your house.
7.) Keep an eye on construction. Always attend all walk-through appointments in person and have your Realtor® attend with you. Look at the house judgmentally – notice if the floor tiles are
uneven, if the paint is too thin in spots, if sockets aren’t level, etc. Don’t be afraid to expect good work, and let your Realtor® help make your expectations clear.
8.) Be prepared for hiccups and delays. While most builders and other parties have good intentions, delays happen. Do not schedule the closing of your new house and the move-out from your old house or apartment on the same day. Allow for a layover period to make
sure that you have a place to live until any problems are fixed.
9.) Remember that you love your house. Understand that
it is normal for there to be some problems along the way to your dream home. As long as the people and the workmanship are on the up and up, probably everything will work out for the best. When you get frustrated with the process, think of the night you finally will be able to move in to your home, and smile.
