Choosing a Builder
If you are 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 good quality home from a reputable builder .
First check with your local Home Builders Association to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in your area . www . hbapd . com ( 843 ) 250-5885 .
Make sure that the Builder is Licensed , Insured and Bonded in South Carolina . Builder members of the Home Builders Association of the Greater Pee Dee must be licensed builders in the state of South Carolina , in good standing with the State and Local governing jurisdictions , and are committed to supporting the reputation and quality of the home building industry .
Do Your Homework
Reading through the information provided in the Tour of Homes Booklet and viewing the homes in person can help you to learn which builders would best fit your dream home desires and requirements . Local real estate agents may also be able to help you in your search . Ask friends and relatives for recommendations . The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and talk with the owners . Builders who are confident with their product will be happy to provide you with this information .
Once you have a list of builders , how can you find out about their reputations and the quality of their work ? Ask builders on your list for the address of their recently built homes and subdivisions . Builders may even be able to provide names of some home owner who would be willing to talk with you . Drive by on a Saturday morning when home owners may be outside doing chores or errands . Introduce yourself and say you considering buying a buying a home from the builder who built their home . Talk to several owners , and try to get a random sample of opinions . The more people you talk with , the more accurate of an impression of a builder you are likely to get . At the very least , drive by and see if the homes are visually appealing .
When you talk to builders and home owners , take along a notebook to record the information you find and your personal impressions about specific builders and homes . Doing so will help you make comparisons later . Some questions you can ask people include : Are you happy with your home ? If you had any problems , were they fixed promptly and properly ? Would you buy another home from the builder ? Usually , people tell you if they are pleased with their homes . And if they are not , they ’ ll probably want to tell you why . Shop for quality and value .
Look At New Homes Whenever You Can
Home shows and open houses sponsored by builders are good opportunities to look at homes . Model homes and houses displayed in home shows are often furnished to give you ideas for using the space . You may also ask a builder to see unfinished homes . When examining a home , look at the quality of the construction features . Inspect the quality of the cabinetry , carpeting , trim work , and paint . Ask the builder or the builder ’ s representative 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 .
Some other questions you might ask builders are :
How long has the company been in business ? Whom do you contact for customer service after sale ? Should requests be in writing ? Who will be responsible for correcting problems with major appliances ? Does the builder belong to the local builders association ( affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders )? Does the builder use state-of-the-art energy features ? Equipment , insulation , design , and landscaping can all affect a home ’ s energy efficiency .
A new home is one of the biggest and most important purchases you will make in your lifetime . By doing homework , you will be able to shop for a home with a sense of confidence and the knowledge that will help you make the right decision . If you have additional questions about selecting a builder , the Home Builders Association of the Greater Pee Dee can help you find the answers . 843-250-5885 .
2024 Tour of Homes | Great er Pee Dee 42 Home Builders Association