TEN (10) THINGS YOU ''MUST'' DO BEFORE GETTING A HOME

Getting started;

Buying a newly built home provides some exciting options that may not be available to you when purchasing an existing home, such as the ability to choose the exact kitchen cabinets, flooring and even floor plan you prefer.

Most home buying advice is aimed at people who are buying an existing home, but what if you're in the market for a new construction house? What do you need to know to ensure the home you're having built will meet your family's needs?
But it also creates some additional challenges, including making sure your builder is reputable, the community is sound and your home will be ready when you are.

You need to begin your search, looking closely at the location and making out some important findings and features about the community because you don't want the home of your dreams in an area that's a nightmare and terror for you, whether that's because your commute to work is too long, you don't like the schools or there's not great Internet service, etc.
Making a visit is a good way to find out not only about the quality of the homes that are being built, but also about how the house or homeowners association operates and so on.

ONE

INVESTIGATE THE AREA.

Prior to purchasing a new home, always make out time to find out as much as you can both about the area, street and the subdivision or apartment. Visit at different times of day, preferably in the evening when most street residents are back from work and talk to residents about what they do and don't like. Do a thorough and feasible survey about the neighborhood.

TWO

SELECT A SPACE AND LOCATION OVER UPGRADES. 

You need to think about how you want to spend your limited budget of acquiring a new home. You can never utter or change your home's location, but you can remodel, renovate, restructure or upgrade later. Apply that logic to other choices as well. If you're choosing between an extra bedroom and granite counter tops, you probably should choose the extra bedroom, which is much more expensive to add later, secure the extra space in the house earlier than creating the additional later on. 

THREE

SEARCH FOR THREE OR MORE BIDS FROM AGENTS.

 Your builder may have a preferred lender and a preferred closing agent, and you may be offered discounts and other incentives to use those professionals. They may or may not be your best choice. Get quotes from additional lenders and closing agents, and then decide which is the best option for you.

FOUR

CHECK OUT THE BUILDER. 

Many home builders have been in the business for years and produce a quality product. However, a few do not. Check review sites, state licensing boards and the local court records to see whether the builder you're considering has run into any trouble, including lawsuits, complaints with licensing agencies and disciplinary actions by state and local agencies. This is also a good time to talk to previous customers.

FIVE

GET A REAL ESTATE AGENT IF YOU CAN. 

Since the seller typically pays the commission, it costs a buyer nothing to be represented by a real estate agent and many builders are happy to work with agents. An agent who regularly deals with builders and knows the local communities will provide lots of helpful information.

SIX

UNDERSTAND THE HOME SPACE/FLOOR PLANS AND LAYOUT. 

Majority of the home floor plans include living room, bedroom(s), kitchen, dining, toilet and bath, etc. Others might include lobby, laundry, dry and wet stores, ante room, etc.

However it comes, you should have the clue of the space types and sizes of the home you desire to acquire, but if you don't possess the knowledge of those, take a measuring tape to your current home or a friend’s apartment you prefer the sizes. Many builders offer virtual reality technology that lets you see what's going to be built, but a better option is to visit a home with the floor plan you want, even if it's still under construction or in another town.

SEVEN

HIRE A LAWYER

Getting a lawyer for legal advice and all legal document signing would be very necessary. Contracts for new construction are complex. As with all legal affairs, it makes sense to have an expert look them over before your sign.

EIGHT

DON'T OVER IMPROVE.

Select a home design, size and options related or comparable to those of your neighbors’ homes. It has to be relative with the homes in the vicinity, if at all you want to keep up with the Joneses, do but not getting too far ahead of them.

NINE

ASK ABOUT WARRANTIES. 

In order to keep to a building standard which is safer, most builders offer warranties on materials and workmanship. For example, any competent and reliable construction company comprises of different departments such as electrical section, mechanical section, structural section, architectural section, etc. Such company should be able to offer warranty on mechanical, electrical elements, on water leaks, on structure, etc. Make sure you understand what is and isn't covered and what process you need to follow to get something fixed.


TEN

INSPECT THE HOME YOURSELF OR GET AN EXPERT

It is very necessary to inspect a home before closing. You may think you don't need to have a home inspected, but getting an independent inspection is always a good idea, and you want to be there so you can learn more about the home. Some new homes can have just as much faults as older homes, and it's always better to know what you don't know before endorsing and signing any paper or document relating to this in closing the contract.