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                             Your Real Estate Buyer Agent Partner
                                    making your dream home come true"

     

The biggest mistake that new home buyers make is that they do not read the information that is available to them. There is tons of information available on the Internet, but buyers will not  read this information in order to understand what the buying a new home is all about. The bottom line: Every thing boils down to "Buyer Beware"!!!

Use a realtor to help you find and buy a home, and have the realtor find out if there have ever been problems with  newly constructed homes. Having a realtor present when buying a home offers a security blanket. That is, realtors are knowledgeable with disclosures and home inspections as well as mortgage loans, rates and terms. Be very cautious, most builders have a mortgage company that they use and they will not accept  a letter of pre-qualification from some other lender. They want the buyer to get a loan from their lender, often at a very high interest rate with a pre-payment penalty clause with mortgage terms that are not justified.  Also, there are terms in the contract, which have to be amended such as when a problem occurs, who does what, how long will it take, when is it to be completed and who inspects the work and more importantly, when  you can sell, normally two years.  There are many more problems with newly constructed homes than existing homes. Questions that your realtor should ask:

  • Who is the builder

  • What does the soils report say
  • How is the land's grading and drainage
  • How is the surrounding land zoned for development and what's planned for construction
  • What does the builder's warranty cover for workmanship and materials guarantee
  • How long will the building process take
  • How does one communicate with the builder
  • How energy efficient is the property
  • What can inflate the initial cost agreed upon 
  • Will there be builder support after move-in day
  • How long do I have to own the property before I can sell
  • Will there be a final walk through 
  • If I don't like what I hear or see, then what
New Homes in Contra Costa County

New Homes in Alameda County

New Home Buyer Advice

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New vs. Existing Homes

When evaluating a new home, you cannot just look at the home price to understand the total cost. For example, when you buy a new home you will most likely need to purchase trees, bushes, and other landscaping items. Window coverings, blinds and drapes also most likely will not come with the new home. Any upgrades you want are also not in the base price of the house such as granite counter tops, hardwood floors, crown molding, and 42” cabinets. Keep these extra costs in mind when planning to buy a new home. If you only have a limited amount of money, be sure to set aside a certain amount for these necessities and extras.

The great thing about a new home is that it should fairly maintenance free for the first five to ten years. 
And, any major maintenance items that do come up may be covered by the builder or new home warranty. The 
builder should be able to fix the item without extra cost to you. Regardless of whether you are buying a new or existing home, you should always make sure you hire a licensed professional inspector before you complete the purchase. You can find a qualified inspector here. Just because a home is new or fairly new doesn’t mean there won’t be any problems. An inspector can find things like leaks in the roof, a foundation that has settled and cracked, early signs of termite infestation or electrical outlets that do not work. It is also wise to do your homework when looking for a new home builder.

 Look for a builder that has a good reputation of building quality homes that have few problems. Also one that will fix problems promptly. Ask around and check with the better business bureau and chamber of commerce in the area you are considering buying in. When evaluating an existing home, you will want to know the age of certain things such as the roof, appliances and other major systems such as plumbing, heating and cooling. 

From a well maintained older home that has lots of character to a good quality new home that needs little maintenance.
It’s your own personal preference. Listen to your heart but make an informed decision. Not an emotional decision.

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