We’ve written before in our blog about the benefits of buying a new home over a used or a re-sale home. Whether you’re buying your first home, a second home, or a retirement home, choosing a new one over an existing or used home is usually a smart move. But to help you make the right choice, are some important tips to keep in mind when you’re in the market for new construction:
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Research the Community & Area
Make sure you know everything you can about the neighborhood and the surrounding area. Get familiar with the community site plan and drive around the streets. If you can, talk to some neighbors about their experience in the community. If you’re a parent and new to the town or city, find out about the schools. Do some driving around, including a trial run of your commute to work, to schools, and to make sure you’re familiar with everything you will have to deal with on a daily basis. For our Elite Homes communities, we provide as much information about the community and the area as possible on our website, to make it easier for you to do your research.
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Research the Builder
Trulia advises that “…the same way you may research a new car is exactly how you should look into a builder.” In other words, do your homework! Check out review sites, state licensing boards, and local court records. Talk to previous customers and current homeowners. Find out if the builder uses independent subcontractors, what kind of insurance they carry, and verify all licenses and bonds. The more you know, the better off you’ll be.
Here at Elite Built Homes, we welcome your questions and we’re happy to provide as much information about our company as possible. Our President and Founder, Joe Pusateri, is a native of St. Louis who has lived in Louisville since 1969. Joe is committed to our city and our people — and Elite Homes is committed to excellence and to our customers. You can take comfort in knowing your home is built strong and backed by a reputable builder. We use state-of-the-art construction techniques and dependable, quality contractors. Tight supervision and a commitment to excellence have helped Elite Homes earn an impeccable reputation and hundreds of satisfied customers. And we are always quick to respond to your questions.
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Understand the Floorplan & What’s Included
When you zero in on the floorplan that’s best for you, make sure you understand it completely – including what’s included and what’s not. Remember, what’s in a model home may not be exactly what’s included with every home. So ask your sales agent for a list of all the extras in the model. On our website, for each of our Elite communities, we include a list of all included features to make it easy to identify. Also, walk through a physical home if possible, whether that’s a model home or a home of your floorplan that’s under construction. It’s like test-driving a car — it will really help give you a sense of the space, the layout, and the flow of the home, much more than looking at a floorplan can.
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Take Advantage of Builder Incentives & Promotions
You can save a lot of money with special builder incentives and promotions, so make sure to ask what’s currently being offered. At Elite, we even offer outstanding pricing on homes that are built and ready for move-in. Check out our selection of “Quick Move-In Homes” to see what we currently have available!
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Ask About Warranties
Realtytimes.com offers this wise advice about warranties: “Most builders offer warranties on materials and workmanship… Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered and what process you need to follow to get something fixed.” At Elite, simply contact one of our Sales Consultants and they’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about our warranties.
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Have the Home Inspected & Do a Final Walkthrough
Home inspections aren’t just for previously built homes. It’s recommended that you have your new home inspected as well. Trulia also advises that: “After an inspection, it’s critical to do a walk-through with the builder. It’s during this time that you can point out major cosmetic issues (such as nail pops or chips in cabinetry) or any other major issues… Never close on a new-construction house without doing a final walk-through to ensure that all of the punch-list items have been completed to your satisfaction.”
When you’re ready to buy your next home, visit our website or one of our Elite Homes’ neighborhoods. Our new homes are exceptionally built and beautifully designed — so you can reap all the benefits of owning a new home!