Things to know before buying a new construction home

Introduction

Buying a new construction home can be exciting, but it’s important to understand the different types of homes available and the regulations you must abide by. Whether you are looking for a custom home, a semi-custom home, or an existing home, there are many things to consider before you commit to making an offer. It’s important to research local building codes, zoning laws, and other regulations that may affect the construction of a new construction house. Knowing these requirements and how they may affect your purchase can help you make an informed decision and avoid costly surprises in the future.

Here’s what you need to know before you buy a new build:

What is a new construction home?

new build

A new-construction home is a house that has not been previously occupied. This is typically because they’re being built from the ground up either as custom homes, temporary housing, or new communities.

New construction homes are typically built by developers or builders. They’re often sold to developers in bulk, meaning that each unit of a project may share common elements such as landscaping and floor plans (though each individual unit will likely have unique features). If you’re looking for a specific type of layout or design within your new home, consider looking at developments where individual units can be customized.

The builder should include all utilities needed for construction onsite when they begin building your home—this includes electricity, water supply lines, and sewage pipes—which means that when you move into this house, everything will be ready to use straight away!

What’s included and what’s not included?

A builder will provide the house, land, and garage. He or she may also provide appliances, furniture, and landscaping.

However, there are some things that you should know before buying a new construction home:

  • The builder won’t provide insurance or home warranties on your behalf. You’ll need to buy these yourself (and they’re not always cheap.).

  • The builder won’t provide a home inspection either—you’ll need to hire an independent inspector yourself once the house is finished to do a final walk-through and make sure there are no major structural defects.

How does the new construction home-buying process work?

When buying a new construction home, you’ll be involved in the building process from start to finish. This means that if you want to change anything about your new home—from paint colors or flooring to the size of your bathroom—you may be able to!

You’ll sign a contract with the builder and not with the bank. This means that unless you have trouble making payments on time, then any changes made after signing should be made at no cost to you.

Change order forms are available for all new construction homes so that buyers can list out any customizations they would like before finalizing their purchase agreement with the builder. While this is standard practice, it’s important to note that it doesn’t mean these changes will automatically happen; everything must still be approved by both parties before any alterations are made during construction or post-closing (if applicable).

Be sure not only to check off those things on your wish list but also pay attention to what else might need improvement around town so as not to miss out, later on, when/if another opportunity arises down the road!

Decide which type of new construction home is best for you

new home

When considering which type of new construction home is best for you, it is important to do your research. Start by checking the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to ensure that the builder you are considering is reputable.

Visit model homes to get a better idea of what the builder has to offer and consider the design process. You should also consider the size of the home, the quality of the materials used, and the cost of the home.

If you are considering a custom home, make sure you discuss in detail the design process with the builder. Talk to past customers to get a better idea of the builder’s reputation. Do your due diligence to ensure that you are selecting the best type of new construction home for you.

Research neighborhoods

Before you start shopping for a new construction home, it’s important to look into the neighborhood you’d like to live in. This includes finding out what’s nearby, such as parks and schools, checking out the crime rate, getting recommendations from people who have lived there before, and checking out reviews online.

It’s also helpful to meet with some of your potential neighbors before you move in if possible so that they can give you an idea of what living there is actually like.

How to finance a new construction home

Financing a new construction home can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Most new construction homes are financed with a construction loan, which is a short-term loan used to pay for the cost of building a home. This loan is typically paid off with a permanent mortgage when the home is completed.

To finance a new construction home, you’ll need to find a mortgage lender who offers construction loans. They will help you understand the loan requirements and assist you in the loan application process. The lender will also provide guidance and advice throughout the construction process.

Once the home is completed and the loan is paid off, the lender will convert the construction loan into a permanent mortgage. With the help of a knowledgeable mortgage lender, you can get the financing you need to build your dream home.

Hire A Real Estate Agent

hire a real estate agent

A good real estate agent can help you find a new construction home that fits your needs and budget.

While searching for an agent, ask them about their experience with new construction homes. They should be able to provide you with examples of projects they have worked on in the past.

If you’re still unsure of which agent is right for you, ask friends or family for recommendations. They may be able to give insight into how well an agent handled their own home-buying experience or know someone who used them successfully before!

Research builders before making a decision.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a new construction home, but you’ll want to take some time before you make a decision. Researching builders is an important part of the process, as it will give you insight into how they operate and whether or not they are trustworthy.

Check out the builder’s reputation and past projects. If they have been in business for a long time, that’s typically good news! You can also look at their website to see what kind of work they’ve done and if any previous customers have written reviews about them online.

Ask for references from other customers who have purchased from this builder before making a final decision. Also, check out how long it takes them on average to build homes because these vary depending on several factors – including whether or not there were any issues during construction that caused delays (this is something else worth asking potential builders about!).

What are the pros of buying a new build?

You can customize almost everything. You can choose the location, design, and floor plan that best suits your needs. You’ll have a warranty on your home from the developers or builders, so you know it’s built to last. And since new builds are typically in pristine condition, you won’t have to worry about common issues like foundation problems or leaks.

What are the cons of buying a new build?

The biggest Downside for new-build homes is that new-construction homes often come with higher costs than existing homes due to the additional time and money required to build them from the ground up.

Your property taxes could be higher.

When buying a new construction home, you will have to pay property taxes on the land. This can be a shocker if you’ve never purchased a home before and are used to paying almost nothing in property taxes.

When buying a resale, your property taxes usually go up each year until you sell it. However, when buying a new home, your taxes could be even higher than expected during those years until it is sold again.

A new neighborhood can mean no resale traffic.

  • New neighborhoods often have a lot of new homes, which means there is not a lot of resale traffic.

  • This can make it harder to sell your home later.

  • You may be able to negotiate with the builder to include a few upgrades in your contract at no extra cost if you sign on early during construction.

You’ll have to buy furniture and decor for the house.

You’ll need to buy furniture, decor, and appliances for your new home. It’s important to know what you want before signing on the dotted line and if it fits with your new floor plan.

Consider how long it will take to build your new home.

new home build

When you buy a new construction home, it can take a few months or even years to complete. This is because all the materials and equipment that go into building your house need to be delivered and assembled in their proper order.

Make sure you do a thorough walkthrough.

Make sure you do a thorough walkthrough. While this tip may seem obvious, it’s important to ensure that your builder has built the home to code without any shortcuts. A thorough walkthrough will also help you spot any defects in construction that could lead to costly repairs later.

Check for pests and other damage. Before you move into your new home, it’s essential that you check for pests—especially mice—and ensure there are no leaks or water damage. Inspecting for pests is especially important because if they’re left alone during construction, they’ll breed and multiply and become even more difficult to get rid of after moving in!

Learn about these issues before you buy a new construction home

There are a few things you should know before buying a new construction home.

First, learn about the pros and cons of buying a new construction home. You can find this information online or by asking your real estate agent and builder questions before making your decision.

Second, research builders and contractors in advance of looking at homes to buy so that you know who you’re dealing with when it comes time to make an offer on one of their properties.

Third, hire a real estate agent who has experience with new construction projects in your area if possible; they’ll be able to help guide you through all stages of the process from finding land for building up to moving day! If there are no suitable agents available locally then consider hiring an expert from outside town who specializes in new home construction projects such as these

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you understand some of the most important things to consider when buying a new construction home. If you’re still unsure about what type of home is right for you, we recommend talking with a real estate agent who can help guide you through all of these issues and more!

Kurby Team

The Kurby Content Team is a diverse group of seasoned real estate experts dedicated to providing insightful, reliable information for homebuyers, real estate investors, and real estate agents. With backgrounds ranging from real estate brokerage, property investment, and residential home buying, our team combines decades of experience with a passion for demystifying the real estate world. We at Kurby are committed to helping you make informed, successful real estate decisions. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or a real estate professional, count on the Kurby Content Team to deliver the most relevant, actionable real estate content you need.

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