New Construction

What you should know about building a new home:

· Be aware that the advertised "starting at" price of new construction   homes usually includes little, if any, upgrades. The model homes that   builders show prospective buyers usually have many upgrades. The actual   price you will pay for a new construction home will most likely be more   than the advertised price if you include any upgrades. Be sure to ask what   features are included in the starting price, and what is extra, when you're   touring a model home.

· Remember that new construction homes come with white walls, no   window treatments, and no accessories or shelving. While this may be a   dream come true for the interior decorator homeowner, it may also be a   hassle for a buyer without the time or extra money it takes to plan these   small details.

· Before contracting with a builder, research the company's reputation by   talking to previous customers and looking at developments the company   built. Find out if the builder completed the homes significantly late, and if   they were helpful in fixing or repairing things that didn't work after the   owners had moved in.

· If you have children, find out what school system the area is zoned for,   and what growth rate is expected. Some areas receive so much new   development at one time that the schools have to be rezoned to   accommodate all the extra children.

· Find out if there are other construction plans in effect for the area. You   might love the wooded backdrop only to find out later that they are   building a strip mall there.

New homes offer a lot of advantages. The biggest benefit is having a homebuilder create a home to your specifications using his floor plans or your own. Many new home builders construct your dream home on your lot while others build in planned communities. The key is to find the right builder for you.