Evaluating a Home Builder

HomeReal Estate

  • Author Peter Brown
  • Published May 7, 2011
  • Word count 540

The High End Custom Home Builders normally work out of expensive offices and drive new vehicles and maintain all the trappings of success and professionalism that the upper class feels comfortable with. There is nothing wrong with the system, it enables the masses to afford the American Dream. Customer dissatisfaction normally occurs because buyers often want and probably deserve more attention paid to their individual home. The popular term "pre-sold home" is commonly used to get the notion of "custom" out of the buyers mind.

The buyer is allowed to buy the builder's product any time before completion and select from a list of options when possible, but it is the builder's home until the customer pays for it with their final mortgage loan. Some of these builders are new and may be on their way to becoming production builders, but the majorities are seasoned builders who prefer to build as few as 3 or 4 houses a year. They are not interested in running a big business, but instead just want to make a good living doing something they are good at and enjoy doing. Here are two types of builders of home to choose from; custom home builder and production home builder.

These two builders build homes but they do it in a very different manner. So, when you need a construction on a home, which should you choose? To answer quickly, it is primarily based on your needs and the amount of money you can spend. Most local banks require custom builders to become "qualified" or keep an "approved" local builders list on file. Asking your banker for references is a great place to begin because he/she will not suggest builders that are not top-quality. A turnkey builder also concentrates on finishing the smaller details of the home building process, such as, landscaping with grass and plantings, fencing, all utilities connected and even cleaning your home upon completion.

Adding things to the list will make it seem like the builder never finishes, which isn't good for you or your builder. So agree on an initial list. If you come up with more things to consider, create a new, separate list. And if you aren't sure, your builder can help you determine what is realistic and what isn't in your home building project. By capturing this on paper you'll avoid arguments due to expectations. This will allow you both to update the schedule, talk about any changes, voice your concerns, and discuss items the builder may need to order to finish your home. Regular meetings allow you to address concerns without feeling like you're nagging the builder.

A typical home builder will offer several floor and house plans and a home builder whose website boasts interactive floor plans suggests both technical savvy and awareness of what site visitors want of a residential home builder. And for those visual site visitors, if the pictures are of decent quality, it likely means the home builder invests in quality in other aspects of their business. One additional note on the pictures that appear on homebuilder websites: if the picture doesn’t show the actual home interior or exterior – shows instead a flower vase, say – it may mean the homebuilder is hiding something.

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