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If
you're in the market
for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully
as you shop for your home. Whether you are buying a condo,
a townhouse, a house in a subdivision, or a custom-built house,
you want to know that you are buying a high-quality home from
a reputable builder.
Start Your Search
Once you have thought about the type of house you want, where
should you look for a builder? First, make a list of builders
who build the type of home you're looking for in your price
range. The real estate section of your newspaper is a good
place to start. Looking through the ads and reading the articles
can help you find out which builders are active in your area,
the types of homes they are building, and the prices you can
expect to pay.
In addition, your local home builders association
has a list of builders who construct homes in your area. Local
real estate agents may also be able to help you in your search.
Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about builders
they have dealt with directly, or ask them for names of acquaintances
who have recently had good experience with a builder.
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Take a Look Around
Once you have a list of builders, how can you find out about
their reputations and the quality of their work? The best way
to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and
talk with the owners.
Ask builders on your list for the addresses
of their recently built houses, subdivisions, town-houses,
or condos. Builders may even be able to provide names of some
new homeowners who would be willing to talk with you. Drive
by on a Saturday morning when homeowners may be outside doing
chores or errands. Just introduce yourself and say you are
considering buying a home
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Choosing