The home-buying process is one that is full of decisions. Do you want a house or a condo? Should you shop for a new or an existing home?
If you settle on a newly-built home, a whole new set of decisions enters the picture.
Before you hop in the car to visit new home communities, however, there are a few things you should do to protect yourself during the purchase process.
Lay the foundation properly, and you’ll make it to closing with nary a hitch.
1. Get Clear on your Finances
Walking into a new-home purchase without knowing how much you can afford to spend on a house puts you at the mercy of the builder and/or his lender.
Since buying this home may be the biggest financial decision of your life, you owe it to yourself to go into the process with as much knowledge as possible.
See a lender before viewing even one home. Find out how much you can spend and then stick to that price range when shopping for a home.
Then, compare lender quotes before making a final commitment. Sometimes the builder’s preferred lender offers the best deal – but not always. Get the cost of each loan from every lender you speak with.
Find more information on how to shop for a mortgage from the Federal Trade Commission.
2. Choose a Community
New home communities offer various amenities. Many are managed by a homeowners association, which takes on some of the outdoor maintenance chores, such as snow removal.
But, they also come with an added monthly fee, so consider the fee’s impact on your budget.
Then, make a list of features you desire in a new community. Some of the criteria you may choose include:
- Proximity to schools.
- Outdoor recreational opportunities
- An area with lots of children or, on the other hand, few kids.
- Your commute time to work.
Once you know your budget, and what you’re looking for in a neighborhood, it’s easier to narrow down where to shop.
3. Research the Builder
There are a number of ways to do this, but starting with the Better Business Bureau is a good first step. Check for complaints against the builder and the company.
Ask your agent what he or she knows about the builder and the homes he/she builds.
Find out what other communities the builder has helped developed and visit one or two of them.
Stop and chat with any residents you come across to find out if there are any common problems with the home.
When you visit the communities on your list you’ll be greeted by a real estate agent. If you find a home you like it’s only natural to assume the whole process will be streamlined if you use this agent for the purchase.
Not a wise decision, and here’s why: that agent represents the builder.
Just as you wouldn’t dream of hiring your soon-to-be former spouse’s attorney in divorce proceedings, so should you never use the builder’s agent in a new-home purchase.
The buyer’s representation costs you nothing – the seller (the builder in the case of new homes) pays all real estate fees. So there is really no reason not to hire your own representation for such an important investment.
Ask the builder for a walk-through of the new-home buying process—find out the schedule, and the number of inspections that will be performed, and get a features sheet list.
Arm yourself with as much information as possible and the process will go smoothly.
