Questions to ask when buying a new construction home

If you are currently one of the many in the market for a New Braunfels custom home, you have plenty of options at your fingertips compared to buying a resale home. Sales of new homes surged to an eight-year high in 2015 and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down this spring. 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. Weston Dean Custom Homes 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 builder's 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. 

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. 

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 make 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 the 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. 

The next question to ask your builder is 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. 

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 manufacturers' warranties on your household appliances like washers, dryers, hot water heaters, and so on. 

Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to ask for references from 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 to before signing on the dotted line for your new home.       Weston Dean Homes is a San Antonio area custom home builder.  For more information call (210) 408-9107.