If you are currently one of the many in the market for a new construction home, you have plenty of options at your fingertips compared to buying a resale home. Sales of new homes surged over the past 5 years and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down headed into the end of this year. Higher demand has also risen the prices of new homes over the past couple of years, but there are still ways you can save when purchasing a new home. Parry Custom Homes, a premier Pittsburgh on your lot builder, shares tips on what to ask when buying a new construction home.
The first question you can ask when purchasing a new home is if there are any financial incentives that are offered if you use the builders preferred lender and title company. Not all builders will be open to negotiating sales prices, but it doesn’t hurt to check especially if you are working with a production builder.
You may be able to save money on the cost of the home or possibly get some negotiated prices on finishes like upgraded flooring. However, be sure to still shop around to other lenders and check on what they are offering and keep interest rates in mind during your decision.
The next question to ask your builder are what are the standard finishes, if there are different versions of the home plan you are interested in or upgrades that you have the option of making. If you are needing to save money but want several upgrades, an option you have would be to buy the standard model of that home and then do the upgrades over time with a contractor on your own. This can save you money and allow you to break the projects out over time, if needed.
Next, be sure to ask what the plans of the community are. Especially if it is a new development, you will want to know where the community currently stands and what the future plans are. If the community you are looking in is brand new, you will want to consider the noise of construction that could be around you for several months, if not years. Also, see how many builders are in the development and what might happen if one builder loses funding and must opt-out. You could be stuck next to lesser-quality homes or homes that are a different style to yours that may not be as desirable.
You will also want to ask what warranties are provided for the home. Most builders will provide a one-year workmanship warranty and then a 10-year structural warranty. You will want to make sure the warranty strictly states what is and isn’t covered so you know what the limitations are for any damages. Also, don’t forget to see about getting manufacturer’s warranties on your household appliances like washer, dryer, hot water heater and so on.
Then, be sure to ask about any HOA fees or Covenants that you will need to be aware of before moving in. Depending on the neighborhood, you may need to take a list of the rules that you have to abide by. Some neighborhoods don’t allow for sheds, in the backyard, private fences or basketball goals in the driveway. If any of the rules that neighborhood has are deal breakers for you, it is something you will want to check-out before moving in. Also, check to see when HOA dues will kick in if you purchase the home. Some builders cover the fees until the development is close to being completed or fully completed and running.
Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to ask for references of past clients that you can talk with about their experience. It isn’t a bad idea to check Angie’s list or a third-party source, as sometimes the only reviews that you might be given are glowing reviews.
If you take the time to ask these questions, you will be sure to make the best decision and cover the critical bases you will want too before signing on the dotted line for your new home.
Parry Custom Homes is an established homebuilder in the Pittsburgh area. Call or contact us today for more information.