Embarking on the journey of building a new home is akin to crafting your own personal sanctuary from the ground up, which we understand can feel overwhelming and daunting at times. Don’t fret! We’re streamlining the process and making building your dream home as simple and straightforward as possible with our best practices for vetting new home builders. At Maronda, we want to empower you to make an informed decision that suits your family’s needs. Let’s embark on this exciting new journey together and unlock the door to your dream home!
I’m ready to build my dream home! Now what?
Do your research
We recommend doing a quick web search for local homebuilders nearby. Explore the About pages on websites to familiarize yourself with the homebuilding process, materials used to construct the home, and floor plans available that suit your needs best. You will find that most homebuilders you come across typically have a frequently asked questions (FAQs) page to answer some of the most basic, common questions that new homeowners have.
Contact your local home builders’ association
By contacting your local home builders’ association, you can quickly pull together a list of local builders in your area, and further filter based on the size of the home or amenities you are looking for.
Visit a builder’s recently developed communities
Drive by on a weekend morning to get a feel for the atmosphere of the community. Whether you want a more quiet, quaint community, or one bustling with action, doing a drive-by is a speedy way to narrow down your list of potential candidates. Don’t hesitate to ask potential neighbors about the community you are visiting- most homeowners are more than willing to share their insights on the neighborhood and surrounding areas.
Talk to family & friends!
It is more than likely that you know someone directly or indirectly who has recently built a home with a builder. Some questions you may want to ask:
- Are you happy with your home/community?
- What was the most difficult part of the process of building your new home?
- Would you recommend this company to a person wanting to build a new home?
Shop for quality and value
Visit model homes or attend open houses. This will allow you to physically get a feel for different types of home designs offered by builders. Not to mention, this is a great environment to ask specific questions regarding products used, amenities offered, and upgrades available. Building a new home allows you to customize your living space from the ground up, so you want to be sure that the quality of materials used aligns with exactly what you are looking for.
Ready to build?
It’s crucial to feel at ease posing any pertinent questions to potential builders. A reputable builder or sales representative prioritizes your satisfaction, striving to ensure you understand all of the components of the home building process.
Here is a list of questions to ask your potential builder:
- Do you have a financing plan established?
- Are there options in the floor plan — for example, can a basement or deck be added?
- Can a room such as the basement be left unfinished?
- How much “customizing” can be done versus standard features?
- Can appliances be up- or down-graded?
- Are there any additional fees relating to the home or development?
- Will there be a home owners’ association? If so, what will the dues cost and what do they cover?
- Do you offer a warranty program?
- What are the estimated taxes on the property?
- Are there daycare facilities and grocery stores nearby?
- What about emergency facilities — police, fire department and hospitals?
- Are there any major development plans for the area in the next five years?
