Custom Home In Alamo

Alamo Custom Home

More and more people are opting to buy a custom or new home rather than an older one. This means that you, as the buyer, are choosing and purchasing the home before it has been built.

Custom homes can be extremely exciting in that�

• You will be the first one to live in the home
• You will often get to personalize the paint choices, flooring options, etc�
• You can customize the landscaping around the house
• You can be assured that the wiring, insulation, and construction of your home are up to date and comply with all current coding and requirements (this is usually backed up by a warranty from the builder)

As with any situation, buying a new home is not without its bumps in the road. Below are some suggestions to keep in mind when you are considering whether or not to buy a new home�

Compare the Model to what you will receive
Most of the time, the Models are positioned on the largest lots, have the best views, are professionally decorated, and contain every upgrade possible. This is usually NOT what you will be getting! Make sure that you find out exactly what will and will not be included in your home and how your home will be positioned on your lot.

Visit the local City Planning Department
Find out what is planned for the areas around your home. The area behind your home (that you thought was going to stay open space) could be the next phase of a neighboring housing community; or, a new high school could be planned for the lot across from your house.

Visit your builder's other projects
Check out the quality of the community, landscaping, and other amenities of the area. Talk to residents there about their experience with the builder and the reliability of the construction.

Check with your Better Business Bureau
Get a reliability report on the developer. This report, which covers the past three years, will tell you how long the company has been in business, complaint patterns, whether the company is pre-committed to a dispute resolution program, whether the company is a member of the BBB, and whether there has been any enforcement actions taken by a government agency.

Find out if there is a homeowners association
If there is one, then you will need to obtain a copy of the rules and ask how much the fees are.

Scrutinize the contract
You may want to have your own real estate agent review it before you sign it. Make sure that all of the upgrades you are expecting are included. You should also add a statement that allows you to visit the site at several designated times (to make sure that everything is progressing the way you hoped). You should try to keep your deposit check as small as possible.

Inspect the home
Make sure that you inspect the house thoroughly before you take ownership. You should strongly consider hiring a professional home inspector. Be very thorough in inspecting every aspect of the home - systems, roofing, counters, fixtures, flooring, walls, and landscaping - for potential damage or inaccuracy.

Remember that you should rely on a real estate agent to advocate for you (even when you are buying a custom or new home). They will make sure that your purchase progresses smoothly and that you receive everything that you are promised.

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