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Wednesday, June 13, 2001 Choosing a quality builder By John
Hayes,
Whether you are buying a condominium, a townhouse, a single-family home in a subdivision or a custom built house, you want to know that you are buying a good quality home from a reputable builder. The home builder must understand how the home's complex systems work, pay attention to detail and coordinate various contractors in a team effort to build a quality product. So, you should choose your builder as carefully as you choose your new home. Before you begin your search, ask yourself some questions. What type of home do you want? In what price range? Where? After you have answered these and other important questions about the new home you are seeking, you can address the question of who should build it. A good place to start your search for a builder is with your local home builders association. Most builders associations can provide a list of their builder members. To find out how to contact the builders association in your area, visit the National Association of Home Builders Web site at www.nahb.com and click on the heading "state and local associations." While you are logged onto the Web site, check out the section "Especially for Consumers," where you may find other useful information to aid in your home search. An exciting tool available for new home buyers is the www.HomeBuilder.com Web site. HomeBuilder.com, the official new homes Web site of the National Association of Home Builders, lists more than 17,000 builders nationwide and more than 120,000 homes for sale. It also includes information on how to find a custom builder, the planned community of your dreams or a mortgage lender. The real estate section in your local newspaper is still a good source of information about builders who are active in your area, the types of homes they are building and the prices you can expect to pay. Also, you can ask friends and relatives for recommendations or check with local real estate agents. When buying a new home, you are not buying just a structure. Along with the structure comes a package of services, and the quality of those services will have an important effect on your enjoyment of your home. For instance, most homes come with a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials. Since virtually every home is going to need at least minor adjustments and repairs of warranty items during the first year, you should look for a builder who will provide quality service after the sale. The best way to learn about the quality of service a builder offers is to ask previous customers. If you are buying a detached home in a subdivision, a townhome or a multifamily condominium, find out what the builder has recently built in the area near where you are buying. Then visit some of the previous projects and ask the residents about their experiences with their homes and their builder. The best time to visit is usually a Saturday morning when people are out doing yardwork or chores. Don't be shy about approaching people. Knock on some doors if you have to. In most cases, a builder's previous customers will be open with you. Try to talk to at least three or four homeowners in each neighborhood. You should not rely solely on the views of only one person. Ask questions like: Are you happy with your home? If you had any problems, were they fixed promptly and properly? Would you buy another home from this builder? Take notes so you can make comparisons later. Remember that cost is not a direct measure of quality. High quality combines good design and fine products and materials with superior workmanship and proper installation. Just because one home is less expensive than another does not mean it is a better value. Likewise, a more expensive home may not mean better craftsmanship. Look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trimwork and paint. Ask the builder a lot of questions. Get specifics, take notes and never hesitate to ask questions. A home is one of the largest and most important purchases you can make. If you do your homework, ask questions and come prepared, you will develop knowledge and a sense of confidence that will help you to make the right decision. If you have any questions about selecting a builder, contact the home builders association in your area for assistance. (John Hayes, who is with Torrey Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 461 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether counties.)
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