| BUYING A HOME FROM A BUILDER
Q. Are there any special considerations when you are buying a
home from a builder?
A. A buyer purchasing a new home from a builder may or may not
work through an agent. If you are not working with an agent, you may want
to consult your lawyer to ensure that the purchase contract with the builder
contains no surprises. In addition, you may want to consider having the
finished structure inspected notwithstanding its newness. Remember, it's
the quality of the construction, not its newness, that is important. An
independent inspection can give you this assurance.
If you are contracting with a builder on a home that is not built or finished,
you will want to
make sure you will get what you think you are buying. For example, model
homes typically
include options, rather than standard features. Along with superior windows
and siding, these
could include better-quality kitchen cabinets, higher-grade carpeting,
and more expensive lighting fixtures. Make sure that the builder provides
you with a complete list of standard and optional features. If you are
choosing options, make sure the purchase contract includes the specific
cost of all options.
You will want to know other facts as well, such as the type and extent
of any landscaping
to be provided by the builder, known plans for the development of surrounding
property, and the exact provisions of any warranty from the builder. If
possible, you will want a warranty that is insured by an insurance company,
rather than a warranty guaranteed only by the builder. Finally, the builder
should provide you with evidence that his or her subcontractor's and material
suppliers have waived any liens they might have against the property in
the event the builder does not pay them for their work.
Specified dates for completion and occupancy should be included if the
home is not yet
built. You can provide for a penalty or for the right to cancel the contract
if the builder exceeds
these dates.
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