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5 Tips for Buying a New Construction Home
The number of available homes is starting to grow, but inventory is still tighter than in normal years. Ergo, many homebuyers are considering buying a new construction home instead of an existing one. As you can imagine, the buying process is a bit different when new construction is involved — there are a lot of extra steps.
To ensure a hassle-free process, here are five tips to keep in mind if you are considering buying a new construction home:
1. Hire an Inspector
Despite the fact that builders must comply with town and city regulations, a home inspector will have your best interests in mind! When buying new construction, you will have between 1-3 inspections, depending on your preference (the foundation inspection, the pre-drywall inspection, and a final inspection).
These inspections are important because the inspector might notice something that the builder missed. If possible, attend the inspection so that you can ask questions about your new home and make sure the builder fixes any problems that the inspector finds.
2. Maintain good communication with your builder
Starting with the pre-construction meeting (where you will go over all the details of your home with your project manager), establish a line of communication. For example, will the builder email you every Friday with progress updates? If you are an out-of-state buyer, will you receive weekly pictures of the progress via email? Can you call the builder and if so, how often? How often can you visit the site? Good communication can help avoid surprises and headaches.
3. Look for builder’s incentives
The good thing about buying a new home is that you can add the countertop you need, the mudroom you want, or an extra porch off the back of your home! However, there is always a price for such additions, and they add up quickly.
Some builders offer incentives that can help reduce the amount you spend on your home. Do your homework and see what sort of incentives the builders in your area are offering.
4. Schedule extra time into the process
There are many things that can impact the progress on your home. One of these things is the weather, especially if you are building in the fall and winter. Rain can delay the pouring of a foundation as well as other necessary steps at the beginning of construction, while snow can freeze pipes and slow your timeline.
Most builders already have a one-to-two-week buffer added into their timelines, but if you are also in the process of selling your current home, you must keep that in mind! Nobody wants to be between homes for a couple of weeks.
5. Visit the site often
As we mentioned earlier, be sure to schedule time with your project manager at least once a week to see the progress on your home. It’s easy for someone who is not there all the time to notice little details that the builder may have forgotten or overlooked. Additionally, don’t forget to take pictures! You might need them later to see exactly where that pipe is or where those electrical connections are once they’re covered up with drywall!
Final Thoughts
Watching your home come to life is a wonderful experience that can sometimes come with hassles. Rely on the tips above to help minimize potential headaches.
If you’re ready to put your current home on the market and find out what new construction is available in your area, let’s get together to discuss your options!
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About The Author
I do like that you recommend actually going down to the construction site yourself. After all, you will likely want to look at how your new home is being constructed. It will also give you the opportunity to get in touch with your contractor in order to ask any questions that you might have.