purchasing a new building? Five expensive blunders to avoid

Purchasing a new building

Purchasing a new building

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These days, it’s hard not to feel the heat, as the inventory of existing homes will reach a record low in late 2021. Because of the little supply and tremendous demand, housing prices are skyrocketing. New construction can be a tempting alternative if you can’t find a suitable resale or you simply want to start over.

New construction offers to improve energy efficiency and amenities. And floor plans better suited to contemporary lifestyles. As well as the opportunity to modify places that are not available with a resale. Costs and expectations, though, can quickly get out of hand if you’re not careful.

1. Don’t automatically think that you can’t bargain with the builder


The main fallacy held by purchasers of newly built homes is that builders will not haggle with them on the price. But according to Kerron Stokes, a Realtor with the Resource Group at RE/MAX Leaders in the Denver metropolitan region, it is simply untrue.

Price, lot lines, loan costs, and other issues are all negotiable, according to Stokes. “A builder can initially refuse, but persist. You won’t know the answer if you don’t inquire.

Employing a real estate agent with new building experience will boost your confidence while haggling with builders. Additionally, there is no expense to you as a buyer in using an agent. According to Stokes, builders often cover the agent’s commission from their marketing budgets.

2. Be sure to provide funds for stuff that the builder did not 

include.

New construction is a clean slate. 

For instance, you sometimes have to pay extra to have your yard landscape after you move into many new homes. 

Additionally, if you purchase a property in a subdivision with a homeowners organization. You might only have a small window of time to install trees or grass, which might cost thousands of dollars.

You should thoroughly read your contract and the HOA laws to be able to foresee and budget for these costs as early as feasible. 

Receiving a letter from the HOA reprimanding you for anything you are neglecting to do is the worst thing that can happen on a new homeowner’s day. 

Get estimates for the stuff you’ll need even if your house will not be done for several months.

Be aware that essentials like window treatments, and towel racks. Toilet paper holders, and occasionally even light fittings are missing from newly built homes. To avoid any surprises once you move in, make sure you understand what is and is not included with your new property.

3. Do your research before choosing a loan.


A lot of big builders have internal mortgage lenders or prefer businesses they use. These might or might not provide competitive terms and pricing. You won’t have a basis for comparison unless you shop around for mortgage rates.

A good example is Cherise Harris. She was eager to continue with the lender with whom she receive preapproval in order to purchase a new house in Denver’s Stapleton region. However, the lender chosen by her builder earned her business by providing a superior customer experience.

According to Harris, “Knowledge is power, but if you don’t have anything to compare your experience to, then you don’t know if you’re getting the greatest service.”

According to Stokes, Harris’ real estate agent, you have more negotiating power when internal and external lenders compete for your company.

For instance, Stokes advises being cautious before taking incentives from a builder’s lender because they aren’t always cost-effective. “That $15,000 incentive may end up being more expensive in the long run if a builder’s lender says, ‘We’ll give you $15,000 in incentives if you choose us,’ but an outside lender charges a quarter of a percentage point less in the interest rate over the life of the loan,” he says.

4. Confirm that you are familiar with the builder’s guarantees and deadlines.

There are two sorts of builder warranties that you’ll hear about when you purchase a new home: implied and express.

According to local building norms and standards, imply guarantees cover any workmanship flaws that affect a new home’s habitability, livability, and safety, according to David Jaffe, vice president for construction liability and legal research at the National Association of Home Builders. He notes that implied guarantees frequently have a 10-year builder liability cutoff date and are ambiguously worded.

Some home builders provide an express warranty, which is more specific about what is covered and the deadlines for fixing certain components of a new home. According to Jaffe, “an express warranty specifies the concerns and solutions a builder is accountable for, as well as the length of the warranty and a procedure for challenging complaints.” The reputation of a builder is everything, so they don’t want to get involved in protracted legal disputes; this kind of warranty offers clearer conditions.

It’s crucial to carefully read all warranties since sometimes builders urge consumers to forgo their rights under an implied warranty when an express warranty is offered. It may be beneficial to have a real estate agent or lawyer analyze them together with the purchase agreement.

Builder guarantees do not serve as a general assurance for all flaws or issues with a new house.

Jaffe provides the following list of things that builder warranties often do not cover:

  • manufactured goods that are covering a warranty (such as appliances)
  • damage resulting from regular wear and tear
  • defects brought on by the owner’s carelessness or a lack of upkeep
  • defects in components installed by non-builder contractors or homeowners
  • The resulting damage from natural catastrophes

Beyond carefully reading a builder’s guarantee, be sure you comprehend their schedule for finishing your new house. The precise times will vary depending on the builder, especially in light of the industry’s enormous supply-chain problems that exist since the industry’s inception.

5. Avoid upgrades that won’t increase the home’s worth

One further error to avoid is becoming sucked into personalization. When you enter a builder’s showroom, the options and add-ons may seem endless. However, Stokes says that before making any upgrades, you should think about which ones will increase the home’s worth rather than just make it appear nicer.

Upgrades are always expensive, and some will increase your worth more than others, according to Stokes. Upgrades from laminate to quartz countertops or from linoleum flooring to hardwood or tile, for instance, are secure investments. However, he cautions that if you choose the top level of cabinets, which costs an additional $10,000, you’re unlikely to recoup that value upon sale.

The cost difference between a builder upgrade and engaging your own contractor to conduct the work afterward is something else to take into account. The Denver buyer Harris had the choice of adding a cooling system to her new residence. By having the unit is installing after she moves in as opposed to adding it to her construction bill, she claims to have saved $1,000.

Another issue to consider is the cost difference between a builder upgrade and hiring your own contractor to complete the work afterward. Harris, a Denver buyer, had the option of installing a cooling system in her new home. She claims to save $1,000 by having the unit installed after she moves in as opposed to adding it to her construction fee.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What errors cost the most money when Purchasing a new building?

When Purchasing a new building, think about the most expensive mistakes in history. It’s difficult to avoid thinking of the Titanic sinking. The ship, which was on its inaugural voyage when it sank, suffered a financial loss of $7.5 million in 1912. Business Insider estimates that would be the equivalent of $168 million in today’s money.

What is the most economical approach to constructing?

Building a modest box-shaped house is the most affordable option. The architecture and design are simpler when the floor plan is square or rectangular. If you need additional space, you might want to think about preparing for a multi-story home. Generally speaking, expanding up is less expensive than creating a huge one-story home.

What is the most expensive part of building a new house?

Framing will be the most expensive step in the real home construction process. Framing will take up around $41K of the average custom home’s $428K budget, according to the same estimate. The materials you select and the size of the house will affect how much framing will cost.

Read more: Choosing The Right Roofing Materials For Your Luxury Property

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