Questions You NEED To Ask Before Choosing A Home Builder
November 10th, 2022 | by Michael Echterling | Posted in Buying A Home
It’s no secret – the housing market is hot right now. Things are moving fast, home listings are going up and coming right back down, and custom home builders are filling up their schedules quickly. When the market heats up, it can feel like you need to act fast and make snap decisions. But when you’re looking for a builder to build your custom home, it’s vital that you remember to ask the right questions before you make the final decision. Today, we’re talking with Abby Morton about 3 questions you need to ask before choosing a home builder.
Abby is a realtor with Bentwood Realty in Waco, Texas, and I’m going to pass it over to her!
So Abby, what are some questions people NEED to ask before choosing a builder?
“First things first, I would highly suggest that buyers find a Realtor to help them in their home builder search. Local realtors will know who has a great reputation around town, and they will be able to help you communicate with builders throughout the building process. A realtor can also help walk you through all of the contracts and paperwork to make sure you and your new home are protected with the correct warranties, etc. Now, here are the questions buyers need to ask:
1. What Does Their Portfolio Look Like?
The first question I have my clients ask is to see previous work from a builder. By seeing their portfolio of past work, it will help a potential buyer decide if that is the right builder for them based on their design preference and quality. Choosing the right home builder is like any other relationship and a buyer will need to make sure that they can see themselves working with this builder for many months to come.
2. How Are Costs Determined?
The next question I like to see my buyers ask is concerning cost. How a particular builder determines costs will be a deciding factor for a new buyer. A buyer should know that a builder will quote a price per square foot. But, there will be elements added to that cost such as finishes, upgrades, appliances, etc. I also encourage buyers to understand how a materials escalation clause works in case the price of building materials increases during the home build.
3. How Customizable is the Home?
Another important question I encourage buyers to ask a potential home builder is how customizable the home can be. Some builders stick to building spec homes to keep costs low and that means that there will not be as many options to customize the home to your wants or needs. Knowing what customizations you want before choosing a builder can be helpful in determining which builder is right for you. Most custom home builders will say the sky is the limit when it comes to customizations; as long as you have the funds to do so.”
Choosing a home builder can seem like a daunting task, but knowing what questions you need to ask can make the process much easier. Thanks to Abby Morton for sharing her insight with us!
Abby is a fantastic agent, and comes highly recommended throughout Waco. Get in touch with her today!
Cell: 254-313-9786
Email: abbyhurt.bentwood@gmail.com
