| Choosing the Right Builder Involves Common Sense and a Few Simple Rules |
| Buying a new home is one of the biggest and most important purchases you will make in your lifetime. By doing your homework first, you will be able to shop for a builder and a home with the confidence and knowledge that will help you make the right decision. |
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| Getting Started |
Once you have thought about the type of house you want, where should you look for a builder? The Tour of Homes is an excellent opportunity to look at the work of 29 different, local builders.
To participate in the Tour of Homes, builders must be members of the Home Builders Association. In addition to being registered with the state of Oregon these builders are committed to Excellence in construction, Integrity in their business dealings, and Service after the sale.
Asking friends and relatives for recommendations is another way to find a builder. Ask about builders they have dealt with directly, or ask them for names of acquaintances who have recently had a good experience with a builder.
The real estate section of your newspaper is another starting point to learn which builders are active in your area, and the types of homes they are building. |
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| Making the Right Choice |
Once you develop a list of builders, it is important to record what you have learned about them in a notebook: their reputations, their ability to perform within prescribed budgets and timelines, and the quality of their work. This will help you make comparisons later.
In the case of the Tour of Homes builders, you may have a chance to talk to them personally in the homes they built. If not, you can ask builders for the addresses of their recently built homes, then visit those homes and talk to the owners.
Look at homes that are the same style as the one you plan to buy. Ask people if they are happy with their homes and if the builder did what was promised and did it in a timely manner. Usually, people are anxious to tell you if they are pleased with their builder. And if they are not, they’ll probably let you know that too. |
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| Shopping for Quality and Value |
When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, fixtures, doors and windows, trim, and paint.
Always keep value in mind when shopping. Just because a home is less expensive than another does not mean it is a better value. Likewise, a more expensive home does not assure higher quality.
A home is primarily a place to live, but it is also an important investment. Be concerned with the value you are getting for your money regarding location, square footage, lot size, and amenities.
Another important aspect of value is design quality. In viewing each home, determine whether it lends itself to the type of lifestyle you want to lead. Look at the amount of interior living space and how efficiently the space is used. Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms? Does the design provide for efficient traffic patterns within the house? Is space sufficient to accommodate special interests or hobbies? |
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| Service After the Sale |
In Oregon, builders of new homes provide their buyers with a warranty, implied in common law, that the home is constructed in a reasonably workman like manner and it is fit for habitation. Some builders will offer additional warranties. You should ask about them.
Since virtually every home is going to need at least some minor adjustments and repairs during the first year, you want a builder who will provide quality service after the sale. The best way to find out what kind of service a builder offers, as we’ve said earlier, is to ask previous customers. |
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| Be Thorough |
When choosing a builder, ask a lot of questions. Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers verbally rather than in writing, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question for fear of sounding stupid or uninformed. What may seem like a stupid question may yield an informative answer.
If you have additional questions about selecting a builder, the Home Builders Association of Lane County can help you find the answers at 484-5352. |
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