Mattamy Homes, a privately owned home builder since 1978, builds communities with a product mix of mid-rise and high-rise condos, townhomes, and single-family detached homes in Canada and 10 markets in the United States, for example. Jennifer Psaki has been the White House press secretary for just 20 days, and yet she seems to have already become a household name. Keep in mind that any house can be renovated but it can’t be moved. If you find signs of a problem, ask questions to find out what the cause is and whether it will be fixed. What is the etiquette here on Houzz? About the Author: The above Real Estate information on the questions to ask when buying new construction was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Better Business Bureau. Important Questions to Ask When House Sitting. Instead, the NAHB recommends that buyers be thorough, observant, and ask tons of questions on their final walkthrough of the property. You likely won’t meet with the design center until after you’ve gone under contract, so it’s important to figure out early what sorts of finishes and appliances you can expect to be included in the home’s base price. What previous homes and subdivisions have you built? Here, we’ve put together some key questions to ask when buying a new construction home to help you avoid costly problems and make a smarter purchase. Read through any warranty paperwork with an attorney so that you understand its length, what’s covered, what’s excluded — and who is responsible for what problems. Many builders schedule two visits during your first year in a newly built home for non-emergency repairs and adjustments, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), but don’t expect them to dash out there right away if a nail pops through the drywall as the house settles. This is a major purchase, and you don’t want any surprises later. The more questions you can ask in the beginning, the less surprises you’ll potentially face in the future. If you’d rather not deal with the stress of unanticipated costs, find a builder that doesn’t include a cost escalation clause in the contract. Failing to drain your water heater, touch up caulk or grout, or clean your gutters could count as neglect on your part and negate anything that you think the builder should fix. You should feel comfortable asking a potential home builder every question that you think is important. The building code requires mechanical ventilation when the house tests at 5 air changes per hour or lower in the blower door test. Do the ground floor windows have locks, and are any of the keys missing? The Future of The Decade’s Hottest Paint Color, Unsolved Mysteries: 9 Ways to Find the History of a Property Online. Okay, the first question you need to ask yourself is: How much house can I afford? Questions to ask when viewing a house for sale: If you’re a first-time house buyer, you might be excited about making your big purchase, but you might feel a bit overwhelmed too. Insert. At the end of the day, you need a clean home. For instance, Massachusetts has a one-year builders’ warranty that covers a certain amount of labor and materials for anything that goes wrong or needs adjusting in the first 12 months after purchase, Friedler said. Some builders may have third-party insurance for particular items or will defer to a subcontractor who handled certain jobs. “Unfortunately, I’ve become involved in numerous new house horror stories, most due to poor workmanship or builders that failed to follow up on warranty work as promised,” said Matt Steinhausen, an independent home inspector since 1999 in Lincoln, Nebraska, who holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. I find this format very useful, getting lots of ideas from talented people, but I don't want to wear out my welcome. From the fresh paint to the shiny flooring, it’s a blank slate to make your own without dealing with any inherited problems or repairs… or so you hope. One of the key questions to ask when buying a house is what kind of work has been done to the house and if it was done legally. English lesson on HOUSE AND HOME. If the lot cost is not included, ask what it is (and whether there are additional premium costs) and factor those into the base price for the house. Not sure exactly what you need to be asking about? Expect to see plans, specifications, and itemized bids, so you know how much everything costs and can pay the builder only as much as he deserves as the project progresses. Let’s say the base price of your new construction home includes a kitchen sink worth $200, but you’d like to upgrade and purchase a sink on your own that costs $400.