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 Finding a Good Builder
I am looking for a reputable local builder. What can I do?
If you are in the market for a new home, you should shop for a builder
as thoroughly as your shop for your home. Whether you are buying a
condominium, a townhouse, a house in a subdivision, or a custom-built
house, the quality of your home will be determined by the quality of
the builder.
Starting your search
Once you have thought about the type of house you want, where should
you look for a builder? First, the real estate of your newspaper is a
good starting point to learn which builders are active in your area,
the type of homes they are building, and the prices you can expect to
pay. In addition, your local homebuilders association has a list of
reputable builders, who construct well built products. Members of the
Flagler Home Builders Association have shown a commitment to
professionalism and their industry. In fact, the Home Builders
Association sponsors a Parade of Homes
each year. Ask the association staff if
they can send you a copy of the Parade Magzine.
Local real estate agents that specialize in new homes may also be able
to aid in your search.
Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about builders they
have dealt with directly, or ask them for the names of acquaintances
that have recently had good experiences with a builder.
Making the Right Choice
Once you develop a list of builders, find out about their reputations
and the quality of their work. Recording all such information—as well
as your own impressions—about specific builders and homes in a
notebook helps to make comparisons later. Also, call the Construction
Industry Licensing Board at (850) 487-1395 and the Better Business
Bureau at (800) 275-6614 to check out if the builder has any
complaints against their license.
The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built
and talk to the owners. Ask builders on your list for the addresses of
their recently built houses, subdivision, or townhouses or condominium
complexes. At the very least, drive by and see if the homes are
visually appealing.
Look at homes that are the same style that you plan to buy—if you are
interested in a two story home look at two story houses rather than
split-levels. Visit on a Saturday morning when people are outside
doing chores or errands. Just introduce yourself and say you are
considering buying a home from the builder who built their home.
Consult more than one homebuyer for each builder: the more people you
talk to, the better the cross-section of opinion you’ll get.
Ask people if they’re happy with their
homes and if the builder did what was promised and did it in a timely
manner. Ask if they would buy another home from this builder. Usually,
people tell you if they are please with their homes. And, if they are
not, they’ll probably want to talk about it.
Shop for Quality and Value
When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction
features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trim work
and paint. If you feel incapable of judging such things, take a
knowledgeable person along with you.
Always keep value in mind when shopping. Just because a home is less
expensive than another does not mean it is a better value. Likewise, a
more expensive house does not insure higher quality. A home is
primarily a place to live, but it is also an important investment.
Consider the appreciation potential of any home. Be concerned with the
value you are getting for your money regarding location, housing
supply and demand, and other market factors.
Another important aspect of value is design quality. In viewing each
home, determine whether it lends itself to the type of lifestyle you
want to lead. Look at the amount of interior living space and how
efficiently the space is used: Are there enough bedrooms and
bathrooms? Is space sufficient to accommodate special interests or
hobbies? Find out if the builder is using state-of-the-art energy
features—both in equipment and insulation. Think about the amount of
upkeep required both indoors and out.
Consider the location of the property: Is it convenient to schools,
shopping and transportation?
Be Thorough
When choosing a builder, be thorough and ask a lot of questions. Get
as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers verbally
rather than in writing, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question
for fear of sounding stupid or uninformed. What seems like a stupid
question might yield an informative answer.
Buying a new home is one of the biggest and most important purchases
you will make in your lifetime. By doing your homework, you will be
able to shop for a home with a sense of confidence and knowledge that
will help you make the right decision.
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Flagler - Palm Coast, Florida Home Building Professional |