Choosing A Home Builder
Questions To Ask When Choosing A Home Builder
Choosing a home buyer can be a complicated process. There are many ways to measure the quality of a Home Builder and it’s up to you to ask the right questions to ensure there is a fit between a potential customer and home builder.
Define your needs:
While some builders construct a wide variety of homes, many builders also specialize in a specific type of home, price range, or style. This will also give you a good starting point for discussion when you meet with a potential builder.
Experience Counts:
Every home building firm once built their first home but time is a great test of a builder and their ethics. Ask to see a variety of the homes that they’ve built both recently and in the past.
Are Past Home Buyers Satisfied?
Ask to speak to some of the builders past clients. If possible try to speak to some that weren’t arranged by the builder. If past customers are happy, it’s a great indication that you will be pleased as well at the end of your bulid.
A few great questions to ask: Would you buy another home from this builder? Or recommend them to close friends or family?
Warranty and Service:
One of the top advantages of new construction is that your home itself and most of the products, systems and components it contains are brand-new and under warranty. The peace of mind that comes with knowing that major repairs or a new roof are likely years away is important.
In addition, look for a structural warranty of ten years or longer on the home itself, ideally transferable to a new owner should you sell.
Look for a builder who provides prompt and courteous service under warranty and who takes time to explain the proper maintenance and care that any home needs.
Resale Value:
Good reputations follow good builders, among homeowners and Realtors. Look for builders whose homes tend to hold or maintain their value.
Tour model homes or homes this builder built for past buyers:
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of prospective builders using the criteria above, this is the most important step.
Nothing substitutes for touring a home built by a builder on your short list. It can be a furnished and decorated model home that’s open to the public. Or, it can be a home the builder constructed for a past buyer that you visit by appointment. In either case, pay careful attention to the look, feel and quality of the home.
Look For Signs Of Quality:
Look for examples of quality construction and attention to detail when you visit the homes above. Also consider the building products that a builder uses. Are they brands with well-earned reputations for quality? What about the homes under construction you passed on the way to the completed model home? Were there signs of care and attention there, as well?
Quality, Satisfied Team Members.
Did the builder’s employees show sincere interest in you and your needs? Did they listen carefully? Did they provide good answers to your questions? Were they courteous, prompt and professional in your interactions with them in the model home, sales center or builder’s office?
