Which Builder Is The Best?
When clients come to their agent for advice it's not uncommon for the client to ask the agent which builder is best or which builder builds the best homes and the like. Any agent who gives the name of a builder as the answer to this question is taking the easy way out to answering a difficult question. As for qualifying a builder to enter the running there are a number of items to address.
Is the builder financially stable? How would you like to end up with a half finished house and a bankrupt builder?
Does the builder have reference clients? Ask for references from several subdivisions and ages of homes. You don't want to have a zillion problems 2 years after you move into the home.
What does the builder do in-house versus subcontracting? Who manages the home construction? Who does the actual work. You'll want to know who the subcontractors are because they will be the ones building the house for the most part.
How does the builder ensure quality construction? The answers to this vary widely and anything that sounds made up or contrived should set off every alarm in the prospective buyer. Take copious notes on the answers. Any misleading or untruthful statements here may be important to your cause later and could even trigger Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices statues should you need to play hardball later. So long as you get satisfactory answers to the questions above you can begin to focus on ensuring the builder you selected is building a safe and quality home for you and your family. You Are The Quality Control As you may have already figured out there is no best builder. The process of taking a parcel of raw land and creating a family's home is long and can be complicated. As with all projects communication is key. As new build clients you should feel comfortable contacting your on site sales representative and Realtor as often as you like. The on-site agent and your agent are there to help and make sure your purchase is smooth. Don't be afraid to engage them.
Set a time for a weekly update call with the builder and your agent. Even if your call is 2 minutes on Monday morning and consists of a "Nothing has changed. We're still waiting on the permits from the city.", you'll know the latest and greatest.
Get the building schedule and hold the builder to the schedule if time is important to you. You may give here to get other places if timing is not critical in your situation.
Visit the site often and take photos. If you see anything that looks odd or is not what you expected tkae a photo, document the question in email, and contact the builder and your agent IMMEDIATELY. Waiting to see why the builder is clearing a section of the lot that you thought was going to be your treed hideaway may turn out poorly.
Hire an independent inspector to conduct phase inspections. The builder should be notified before your inspector arrives. Ideally, the builder will notify the inspector a few days before each phase is ready to be reviewed. The inspector typically will come after the slab is poured, after framing is complete, after plumbing and electrical is installed, and after the home is completed.
Be detailed, but not unreasonable. If you notice something that is just plain sloppy or that will cause you issues later, bring it up with the builder. A lot of times the agent or superintendent may not have noticed what the subcontractor is doing or maybe a change order was missed and you are the first to find out. You are buying a new home, NOT a perfect home. No home is perfect, but a new home should be of high quality and to your specifications.
Be Dilligent
As you've discovered, your involvement in the building process can make all the difference. Stay on top of the ball and 9 out of 10 builders will meet your needs and build you a quality home. Sometimes you'll even run across a builder that will build you a great home, nearly perfectly without your involvement, but why take the chance?
Happy building!
Joe Cline is a professional real estate broker, investor, and REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Austin, Texas. Joe believes in providing world-class service to his clients through educating and coaching them through their real estate transactions.
Joe's commitment to education and service is reinforced by his achievement and participation in the Austin Board of Realtors, Council of Residential Specialists, Accredited Buyer's Representative's Council, Texas Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors.
Joe holds his Broker's license, the Accredited Buyer's Representative designation, the Certified Residential Specialist designation, the Certified Home Marketing Specialist designation, Cendant Mobility Marketing Specialist designation and the Cendant Mobility Referral Specialist designation.
Find out more about Austin real estate and new homes in Steiner Ranch.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Cline
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Real Estate Secrets - Which Builder Builds With The Highest Quality?
Which Builder Is The Best?
When clients come to their agent for advice it's not uncommon for the client to ask the agent which builder is best or which builder builds the best homes and the like. Any agent who gives the name of a builder as the answer to this question is taking the easy way out to answering a difficult question. As for qualifying a builder to enter the running there are a number of items to address.
Is the builder financially stable? How would you like to end up with a half finished house and a bankrupt builder?
Does the builder have reference clients? Ask for references from several subdivisions and ages of homes. You don't want to have a zillion problems 2 years after you move into the home.
What does the builder do in-house versus subcontracting? Who manages the home construction? Who does the actual work. You'll want to know who the subcontractors are because they will be the ones building the house for the most part.
How does the builder ensure quality construction? The answers to this vary widely and anything that sounds made up or contrived should set off every alarm in the prospective buyer. Take copious notes on the answers. Any misleading or untruthful statements here may be important to your cause later and could even trigger Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices statues should you need to play hardball later. So long as you get satisfactory answers to the questions above you can begin to focus on ensuring the builder you selected is building a safe and quality home for you and your family. You Are The Quality Control As you may have already figured out there is no best builder. The process of taking a parcel of raw land and creating a family's home is long and can be complicated. As with all projects communication is key. As new build clients you should feel comfortable contacting your on site sales representative and Realtor as often as you like. The on-site agent and your agent are there to help and make sure your purchase is smooth. Don't be afraid to engage them.
Set a time for a weekly update call with the builder and your agent. Even if your call is 2 minutes on Monday morning and consists of a "Nothing has changed. We're still waiting on the permits from the city.", you'll know the latest and greatest.
Get the building schedule and hold the builder to the schedule if time is important to you. You may give here to get other places if timing is not critical in your situation.
Visit the site often and take photos. If you see anything that looks odd or is not what you expected tkae a photo, document the question in email, and contact the builder and your agent IMMEDIATELY. Waiting to see why the builder is clearing a section of the lot that you thought was going to be your treed hideaway may turn out poorly.
Hire an independent inspector to conduct phase inspections. The builder should be notified before your inspector arrives. Ideally, the builder will notify the inspector a few days before each phase is ready to be reviewed. The inspector typically will come after the slab is poured, after framing is complete, after plumbing and electrical is installed, and after the home is completed.
Be detailed, but not unreasonable. If you notice something that is just plain sloppy or that will cause you issues later, bring it up with the builder. A lot of times the agent or superintendent may not have noticed what the subcontractor is doing or maybe a change order was missed and you are the first to find out. You are buying a new home, NOT a perfect home. No home is perfect, but a new home should be of high quality and to your specifications.
Be Dilligent
As you've discovered, your involvement in the building process can make all the difference. Stay on top of the ball and 9 out of 10 builders will meet your needs and build you a quality home. Sometimes you'll even run across a builder that will build you a great home, nearly perfectly without your involvement, but why take the chance?
Happy building!
Joe Cline is a professional real estate broker, investor, and REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Austin, Texas. Joe believes in providing world-class service to his clients through educating and coaching them through their real estate transactions.
Joe's commitment to education and service is reinforced by his achievement and participation in the Austin Board of Realtors, Council of Residential Specialists, Accredited Buyer's Representative's Council, Texas Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors.
Joe holds his Broker's license, the Accredited Buyer's Representative designation, the Certified Residential Specialist designation, the Certified Home Marketing Specialist designation, Cendant Mobility Marketing Specialist designation and the Cendant Mobility Referral Specialist designation.
Find out more about Austin real estate and new homes in Steiner Ranch.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Cline
When clients come to their agent for advice it's not uncommon for the client to ask the agent which builder is best or which builder builds the best homes and the like. Any agent who gives the name of a builder as the answer to this question is taking the easy way out to answering a difficult question. As for qualifying a builder to enter the running there are a number of items to address.
Is the builder financially stable? How would you like to end up with a half finished house and a bankrupt builder?
Does the builder have reference clients? Ask for references from several subdivisions and ages of homes. You don't want to have a zillion problems 2 years after you move into the home.
What does the builder do in-house versus subcontracting? Who manages the home construction? Who does the actual work. You'll want to know who the subcontractors are because they will be the ones building the house for the most part.
How does the builder ensure quality construction? The answers to this vary widely and anything that sounds made up or contrived should set off every alarm in the prospective buyer. Take copious notes on the answers. Any misleading or untruthful statements here may be important to your cause later and could even trigger Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices statues should you need to play hardball later. So long as you get satisfactory answers to the questions above you can begin to focus on ensuring the builder you selected is building a safe and quality home for you and your family. You Are The Quality Control As you may have already figured out there is no best builder. The process of taking a parcel of raw land and creating a family's home is long and can be complicated. As with all projects communication is key. As new build clients you should feel comfortable contacting your on site sales representative and Realtor as often as you like. The on-site agent and your agent are there to help and make sure your purchase is smooth. Don't be afraid to engage them.
Set a time for a weekly update call with the builder and your agent. Even if your call is 2 minutes on Monday morning and consists of a "Nothing has changed. We're still waiting on the permits from the city.", you'll know the latest and greatest.
Get the building schedule and hold the builder to the schedule if time is important to you. You may give here to get other places if timing is not critical in your situation.
Visit the site often and take photos. If you see anything that looks odd or is not what you expected tkae a photo, document the question in email, and contact the builder and your agent IMMEDIATELY. Waiting to see why the builder is clearing a section of the lot that you thought was going to be your treed hideaway may turn out poorly.
Hire an independent inspector to conduct phase inspections. The builder should be notified before your inspector arrives. Ideally, the builder will notify the inspector a few days before each phase is ready to be reviewed. The inspector typically will come after the slab is poured, after framing is complete, after plumbing and electrical is installed, and after the home is completed.
Be detailed, but not unreasonable. If you notice something that is just plain sloppy or that will cause you issues later, bring it up with the builder. A lot of times the agent or superintendent may not have noticed what the subcontractor is doing or maybe a change order was missed and you are the first to find out. You are buying a new home, NOT a perfect home. No home is perfect, but a new home should be of high quality and to your specifications.
Be Dilligent
As you've discovered, your involvement in the building process can make all the difference. Stay on top of the ball and 9 out of 10 builders will meet your needs and build you a quality home. Sometimes you'll even run across a builder that will build you a great home, nearly perfectly without your involvement, but why take the chance?
Happy building!
Joe Cline is a professional real estate broker, investor, and REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Austin, Texas. Joe believes in providing world-class service to his clients through educating and coaching them through their real estate transactions.
Joe's commitment to education and service is reinforced by his achievement and participation in the Austin Board of Realtors, Council of Residential Specialists, Accredited Buyer's Representative's Council, Texas Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors.
Joe holds his Broker's license, the Accredited Buyer's Representative designation, the Certified Residential Specialist designation, the Certified Home Marketing Specialist designation, Cendant Mobility Marketing Specialist designation and the Cendant Mobility Referral Specialist designation.
Find out more about Austin real estate and new homes in Steiner Ranch.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Cline
Building A Summer Home In Sarasota, Florida
The Southwestern Florida city of Sarasota has some of the oldest and newest homes in the Florida region. Some residential estates were built over 50 years ago as winter vacation homes, and others are new gated beach front residential villages with manicured grounds, marble foyers, and replete with the newest fixtures and technological advances, as well as wonderful views.
Homeowners and residents from any neighborhood in this city can enjoy a wide array of activities available throughout Sarasota, whether your preferences in arts and culture lean toward circus posters, unique collections of paintings and murals, seashell creations, sand sculptures, or the new forms of art made by the Ringling School of Art students.
Siesta, Lido And Longboat Keys Are Good Markets For Bayfront Homes
The city of Sarasota is home to one of the loveliest beaches on Florida. Located near the bay are some famous islands, or "keys" as they are called here, and these are Siesta, Longboat and Lido Keys. Siesta Beach is one of the largest beaches in the area, but its 40 acres of land might not have become the wide and deep expanse of public-accessible beach front they are today.
According to a local Siesta Key publication, The Pelican, one individual, Otis A. Kiesow, could be credited for ensuring that this beach front---then, as always coveted by real estate developers and builders, would not later be filled with homes, condos and hotels, as are much of the rest of the Gulf of Mexico's beach fronts.
However, today, a large number of low-key and medium-rise condo and apartment developments sprinkle these keys, offering retirees, investors and tourists an ample selection of vacation homes, apartments and condominium units.
Should You Buy A Home Here Today?
A lot of investors at present may have some second thoughts of buying new homes, in light of the current US mortgage slump. Many are still asking, Should I buy a home right now?, and How much should I pay? These are good questions, certainly, but with many consumers echoing the same concerns, this is quite indicative of the current profound confusion in the property market.
However, despite the clouds hovering in the real estate sector, there are some exceptions, and there are truly good buys at the moment. These generally fall into one of the following categories, namely:
- Large Home Inventories. If your long for acquiring your dream house, many dream homes are at the moment on the selling block, and housing experts say you should go for it, as you may never get a chance like this again. In addition, most analysts say that the high-end Florida real estate is traditionally the first thing to recover its value in a recession.
- The market for upscale condominium units , particularly the more expensive ones, are holding their ground pretty well. The areas with large condo inventories are doing OK today, and many buyers are having a fun time at the pre-construction and newly-completed unit markets.
Sarasota has rapidly grown from a population of around 150,000 in 1980 to over 365,000 residents in 2006. The area has added around 10,000 new residents a year. Migration to the city before used to come primarily from the Midwest, however now its newer residents come mostly from the northeast.
The county's real estate prices accelerated six years ago and led the nation in appreciation. More investors have flooded the market and have driven the market up along with newcomers. The market cooled down some 18 months ago as investors tried to dump their properties.
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company
http://siestakeyrealestate.com - Sarasota Real Estate
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_A._Doctor
Homeowners and residents from any neighborhood in this city can enjoy a wide array of activities available throughout Sarasota, whether your preferences in arts and culture lean toward circus posters, unique collections of paintings and murals, seashell creations, sand sculptures, or the new forms of art made by the Ringling School of Art students.
Siesta, Lido And Longboat Keys Are Good Markets For Bayfront Homes
The city of Sarasota is home to one of the loveliest beaches on Florida. Located near the bay are some famous islands, or "keys" as they are called here, and these are Siesta, Longboat and Lido Keys. Siesta Beach is one of the largest beaches in the area, but its 40 acres of land might not have become the wide and deep expanse of public-accessible beach front they are today.
According to a local Siesta Key publication, The Pelican, one individual, Otis A. Kiesow, could be credited for ensuring that this beach front---then, as always coveted by real estate developers and builders, would not later be filled with homes, condos and hotels, as are much of the rest of the Gulf of Mexico's beach fronts.
However, today, a large number of low-key and medium-rise condo and apartment developments sprinkle these keys, offering retirees, investors and tourists an ample selection of vacation homes, apartments and condominium units.
Should You Buy A Home Here Today?
A lot of investors at present may have some second thoughts of buying new homes, in light of the current US mortgage slump. Many are still asking, Should I buy a home right now?, and How much should I pay? These are good questions, certainly, but with many consumers echoing the same concerns, this is quite indicative of the current profound confusion in the property market.
However, despite the clouds hovering in the real estate sector, there are some exceptions, and there are truly good buys at the moment. These generally fall into one of the following categories, namely:
- Large Home Inventories. If your long for acquiring your dream house, many dream homes are at the moment on the selling block, and housing experts say you should go for it, as you may never get a chance like this again. In addition, most analysts say that the high-end Florida real estate is traditionally the first thing to recover its value in a recession.
- The market for upscale condominium units , particularly the more expensive ones, are holding their ground pretty well. The areas with large condo inventories are doing OK today, and many buyers are having a fun time at the pre-construction and newly-completed unit markets.
Sarasota has rapidly grown from a population of around 150,000 in 1980 to over 365,000 residents in 2006. The area has added around 10,000 new residents a year. Migration to the city before used to come primarily from the Midwest, however now its newer residents come mostly from the northeast.
The county's real estate prices accelerated six years ago and led the nation in appreciation. More investors have flooded the market and have driven the market up along with newcomers. The market cooled down some 18 months ago as investors tried to dump their properties.
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company
http://siestakeyrealestate.com - Sarasota Real Estate
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_A._Doctor
Easement Land - What Is It and How Does It Affect My Subdivision
Easement land is the part of a residential or commercial block designated by the ordinance as required for access by the town planning department. Typically, an easement will run across the back of a block at the back fence line, but not necessarily.
Beaurocracy being what it is...their humor is sometimes comparable to the Lord himself. Occasionally a block is subdivided with an easement running right across it. Of course this would be an error, but with this type of money at stake, it would be a rude shock to buy a block with an easement running through the middle. Easement land may not be built on or impeded in any way. Typically fences are built on easement land, but these are relatively cheap to replace or re-install.
The reasons for easements is to allow the authorities to access the area for utilities access and repair. The pipes that transport sewage and gas, water and sometimes power are all usually in the easement area. From a developers perspective it is very important to know where the easement is and be aware of what your intended plans are for the block to see that the easement does not present an impediment to them.
Usually, to subdivide a block, the town planning have a minimum lot size that land can be in a given area. The assumption would be that you can just have the square meters of the land to be subdivided and this will tell us if the land can be split. However, for your subdivided block to be valuable to the party you sell it to for the purpose of building, there needs to be a minimum area of open land apart from the dwelling and this dictates how large the dwelling can be. Knowing where the easement is and how big it is, is crucial before purchasing a block for subdivision.
Subdividing land is good, but there are simpler lucrative opportunities out there. If you would like to discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click either link to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars. Click here to learn about the EasyCorporateMoney.com program
Investing $100 - You Invest Cheap But Smart
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Thomas
Beaurocracy being what it is...their humor is sometimes comparable to the Lord himself. Occasionally a block is subdivided with an easement running right across it. Of course this would be an error, but with this type of money at stake, it would be a rude shock to buy a block with an easement running through the middle. Easement land may not be built on or impeded in any way. Typically fences are built on easement land, but these are relatively cheap to replace or re-install.
The reasons for easements is to allow the authorities to access the area for utilities access and repair. The pipes that transport sewage and gas, water and sometimes power are all usually in the easement area. From a developers perspective it is very important to know where the easement is and be aware of what your intended plans are for the block to see that the easement does not present an impediment to them.
Usually, to subdivide a block, the town planning have a minimum lot size that land can be in a given area. The assumption would be that you can just have the square meters of the land to be subdivided and this will tell us if the land can be split. However, for your subdivided block to be valuable to the party you sell it to for the purpose of building, there needs to be a minimum area of open land apart from the dwelling and this dictates how large the dwelling can be. Knowing where the easement is and how big it is, is crucial before purchasing a block for subdivision.
Subdividing land is good, but there are simpler lucrative opportunities out there. If you would like to discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click either link to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars. Click here to learn about the EasyCorporateMoney.com program
Investing $100 - You Invest Cheap But Smart
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Thomas
What Does It Cost To Build A Home In Ocala?
Marion County, where the city of Ocala is located, has seen burgeoning growth, and it continues to rapidly rise till the present day, and is dramatically changing the face of the county. Nowhere is that more evident than on State Road 200, where commercial and residential development moved at a fever pitch. In 1995, Ocala was named the fifth best place to live in the U.S. by Money magazine.
The city was named an All-America City earlier in the year, and moved up in the national rankings from 78th place in 1994. It was also named the second best mid-sized metropolitan area in the nation and the second best city in the South. The city offers investors with not just lovely horse farms and estates, which Ocala is famous for, but also an assortment of industries and employment opportunities ranging from electronics, aerospace development, manufacturing, real estate and tourism.
Affordable Housing
Marion County, as well as Ocala, offers several affordable housing programs for income-eligible households. The County provides medium-income families a State Housing Initiative Partnership or SHIP, and the Community Development Block Grant or CDBG for home purchase or rehabilitation outside of the city limits.
In Ocala, the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program, which utilizes federal funds, along with the state-funded SHIP program is offered to income eligible residents who wish to buy homes within the city limits. Each year, several home events are also hosted by the city, expose potential buyers to the area's developers.
Two of the city's major annual events are the annual spring Parade of Homes and the Fall Showcase of Homes. The Marion County Building Industry Association sponsors both events. Homes usually range from the more affordable end of just over $100,000 to those considered in the luxury price range of over $500,000.
Tips For Ocala Home-seekers
The local local realtors association is a good first step in looking for a nice home. Most local brokers suggest stopping by the local Chamber of Commerce for those new to the area and looking for a house. They note that a wealth of information is available to help make the search easier. In addition to contacting a local property broker of choice and getting referrals from peers, they also suggest getting in the car and driving around town, to better learn the area.
For the second quarter of 2007, the median prices of homes in Marion County was pegged at $170,900, which represents a slight jump from $169,500 for the same period in 2006. The National Association of Realtors reported a U.S. median home price of $223,800 for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $227,100 in 2006. Statewide, the median price for the period was $221,200, down from $243,300 in 2006.
Most major housing indicators show the market in Ocala is leaning toward the area of being a buyer's market. Housing analysts say this is being driven by the increasing inventory of both new and existing homes. During 2006-2007, Marion County reported 2,698 permits for construction of single-family homes, which is down from 6,355 in the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
As for construction of multi-family homes, which include condos, town homes and apartments, there was a slight increase in 2007 with 48 permits versus 37 permits in 2006.
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company
http://www.fountainsatgolfpark.com/fountains/index.htm - Ocala Real Estate
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_A._Doctor
The city was named an All-America City earlier in the year, and moved up in the national rankings from 78th place in 1994. It was also named the second best mid-sized metropolitan area in the nation and the second best city in the South. The city offers investors with not just lovely horse farms and estates, which Ocala is famous for, but also an assortment of industries and employment opportunities ranging from electronics, aerospace development, manufacturing, real estate and tourism.
Affordable Housing
Marion County, as well as Ocala, offers several affordable housing programs for income-eligible households. The County provides medium-income families a State Housing Initiative Partnership or SHIP, and the Community Development Block Grant or CDBG for home purchase or rehabilitation outside of the city limits.
In Ocala, the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program, which utilizes federal funds, along with the state-funded SHIP program is offered to income eligible residents who wish to buy homes within the city limits. Each year, several home events are also hosted by the city, expose potential buyers to the area's developers.
Two of the city's major annual events are the annual spring Parade of Homes and the Fall Showcase of Homes. The Marion County Building Industry Association sponsors both events. Homes usually range from the more affordable end of just over $100,000 to those considered in the luxury price range of over $500,000.
Tips For Ocala Home-seekers
The local local realtors association is a good first step in looking for a nice home. Most local brokers suggest stopping by the local Chamber of Commerce for those new to the area and looking for a house. They note that a wealth of information is available to help make the search easier. In addition to contacting a local property broker of choice and getting referrals from peers, they also suggest getting in the car and driving around town, to better learn the area.
For the second quarter of 2007, the median prices of homes in Marion County was pegged at $170,900, which represents a slight jump from $169,500 for the same period in 2006. The National Association of Realtors reported a U.S. median home price of $223,800 for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $227,100 in 2006. Statewide, the median price for the period was $221,200, down from $243,300 in 2006.
Most major housing indicators show the market in Ocala is leaning toward the area of being a buyer's market. Housing analysts say this is being driven by the increasing inventory of both new and existing homes. During 2006-2007, Marion County reported 2,698 permits for construction of single-family homes, which is down from 6,355 in the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
As for construction of multi-family homes, which include condos, town homes and apartments, there was a slight increase in 2007 with 48 permits versus 37 permits in 2006.
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company
http://www.fountainsatgolfpark.com/fountains/index.htm - Ocala Real Estate
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_A._Doctor
Why are Southern California Homes Built with Little or No Insulation?
Not long ago a prominent California Realtor inquired about the issues concerning so many new homes that were built in Southern California before the bubble burst without insulation in the walls or attic:
Why are Southern California Homes Built with Little or No Insulation?
This is an outstanding question and one, which deserves a decent answer. You see, new homes are not required to put much insulation in the homes and therefore they don't, indeed they should have more insulation. It does get both cold at night and very hot in the daytime often enough. Lack of proper insulations just kills budgets for California families.
Sure, the climate in California is to die for, maybe that is why Los Angeles County is over 460 square miles of concrete with some 16.5 million people living on it, and it's growing! People are still packing it in, traffic is also increasing along with smog and power usage. So, one would think that the homes would have better insulation to stop brown outs or rolling blackouts in peak summer season with the heat.
Additionally, the Urban Heat Island is a huge issue as well, it is generally 5-7 degrees hotter due to all that concrete, which holds in the heat even at night, so sometimes it never cools down like it should in the middle of the night. Obviously, this problem needs to be fixed and all homes should have insulation in them, at least enough to hold in the air-conditioning that is running full blast.
There are other issues to consider too, as the last housing boom produced houses at break-neck speed with shoddy workmanship, seriously some of the homes were inches apart at the seams, so it is hard to remain energy efficient when they leak out heat at night and allow heat in during the hot summer days.
How much do homeowners pay who do not have proper insulation? Some as much as $2,000 per year or more, so stretch that over 10-years and you could have paid for the insulation 10 times over or put in solar panels for instance. What did you grandfather use to say? Do it right the first time. Unfortunately, they didn't, and homeowners are left holding the bag.
In defense, the homebuilders say that if they had, then some people would not have been able to purchase the home in the first place and they would not have a home to live in. Yet, if the price were raised and they would have bought a more moderate size home, maybe they would not be facing foreclosure now.
So, who is to blame? We all are and hindsight is 20/20 although just for the record, "I Told You So!" Yes, back in 1999, I foresaw all of this and here we are today. I can tell you this, I would have been very happy to have been wrong on all that, as I look at the next three quarters of the real estate sector. Something to contemplate in 2008.
My name is Lance Winslow and I am a semi-retired entrepreneur, retired Franchisor and now I am a consultant brain-4-hire, internet writer and author. I got bored in retirement so I founded the Online Think Tank - http://www.worldthinktank.net . If you would like to send me an email just to say hi, discuss an article, send me hate mail or need some advice you can find me at; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html . Have a great day and thanks for reading - tell me about you?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_W.
Why are Southern California Homes Built with Little or No Insulation?
This is an outstanding question and one, which deserves a decent answer. You see, new homes are not required to put much insulation in the homes and therefore they don't, indeed they should have more insulation. It does get both cold at night and very hot in the daytime often enough. Lack of proper insulations just kills budgets for California families.
Sure, the climate in California is to die for, maybe that is why Los Angeles County is over 460 square miles of concrete with some 16.5 million people living on it, and it's growing! People are still packing it in, traffic is also increasing along with smog and power usage. So, one would think that the homes would have better insulation to stop brown outs or rolling blackouts in peak summer season with the heat.
Additionally, the Urban Heat Island is a huge issue as well, it is generally 5-7 degrees hotter due to all that concrete, which holds in the heat even at night, so sometimes it never cools down like it should in the middle of the night. Obviously, this problem needs to be fixed and all homes should have insulation in them, at least enough to hold in the air-conditioning that is running full blast.
There are other issues to consider too, as the last housing boom produced houses at break-neck speed with shoddy workmanship, seriously some of the homes were inches apart at the seams, so it is hard to remain energy efficient when they leak out heat at night and allow heat in during the hot summer days.
How much do homeowners pay who do not have proper insulation? Some as much as $2,000 per year or more, so stretch that over 10-years and you could have paid for the insulation 10 times over or put in solar panels for instance. What did you grandfather use to say? Do it right the first time. Unfortunately, they didn't, and homeowners are left holding the bag.
In defense, the homebuilders say that if they had, then some people would not have been able to purchase the home in the first place and they would not have a home to live in. Yet, if the price were raised and they would have bought a more moderate size home, maybe they would not be facing foreclosure now.
So, who is to blame? We all are and hindsight is 20/20 although just for the record, "I Told You So!" Yes, back in 1999, I foresaw all of this and here we are today. I can tell you this, I would have been very happy to have been wrong on all that, as I look at the next three quarters of the real estate sector. Something to contemplate in 2008.
My name is Lance Winslow and I am a semi-retired entrepreneur, retired Franchisor and now I am a consultant brain-4-hire, internet writer and author. I got bored in retirement so I founded the Online Think Tank - http://www.worldthinktank.net . If you would like to send me an email just to say hi, discuss an article, send me hate mail or need some advice you can find me at; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html . Have a great day and thanks for reading - tell me about you?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_W.
Atlanta Building Trends - Why Go For Something New?
Why should one pay attention to the building trends in Atlanta? It is good to talk about the new and positive trends that buildings have to offer over those that existed before. Our building engineers seem to focus on the items that do not improve the lives of the buildings occupants. If you look carefully the same mistakes seems to occur over and over. That is, from one building to another. We are going to talk on some few building trends which we will wish people might follow and improve their building trends in Atlanta some day.
Which type of question will a building engineer ask when he or she looks at a unique roofing style or system, how bad does the roof leaks? If it does not leaks, but how but how bad does it leaks? Every elevation of the roof and every architectural pitch change is one source of water leakage. The thing is that, no one is saying, a roof should be without a style. But, a professional should be consulted before roofing any complicated style or building trends followed. A roof warranty should not be given until the roofing system has proven itself for one year to be free of water leakage. This will weed out incompetent so-called professionals in the building industry.
Questions such as Do you really think this building is not going to need the windows washed according to national safety? Do you really think that this story-building is not going to need a place to store paper products? It will be good to avoid such questions or conversations from people by bring in a building professional who knows the building trends in Atlanta.
In some buildings you will find expensive revolving roof sits in the front facing the street. Surprisingly this door is the least used to the main body of pedestrian traffic. If you look carefully the entrance leading from the parking deck is a standard metal door that will always need repairs because of the heavy traffic. We will not even talk of the cold that comes blowing in when the door is open.
Every building engineer knows that using a wooden bed will always need maintenance or repairs, but they also know that the sand bed system is nearly maintenance free. It will be good to consult these building engineers to reduce the cost of bed maintenance. What do you usually say when you take a look at a beautiful landscape? Special care is being given to the plants to be green. Who did the designing? Did a home inspector inspect the design which was made? To have the right answer of these questions, try to meet a professional designer or a building engineer.
It will be good to start a new trend, if you want to construct a comfortable home. Get a seasoned building engineer who is constructing and designing modern homes not homes of yesterday.
Start out with a concept in mind. Then sit down with an experienced contemporary architect who can help you put your ideas on design paper.
Make sure that you are able to communicate with your architect easily.
Ground-breaking new trends are needed, as a lot of people, especially the younger generation is demanding it. This will make your building to be easily marketable when it comes time to rent it out or sell it.
Eric Mabo is an Atlanta foreclosures Expert. He helps people find real estate deals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Mabo
Which type of question will a building engineer ask when he or she looks at a unique roofing style or system, how bad does the roof leaks? If it does not leaks, but how but how bad does it leaks? Every elevation of the roof and every architectural pitch change is one source of water leakage. The thing is that, no one is saying, a roof should be without a style. But, a professional should be consulted before roofing any complicated style or building trends followed. A roof warranty should not be given until the roofing system has proven itself for one year to be free of water leakage. This will weed out incompetent so-called professionals in the building industry.
Questions such as Do you really think this building is not going to need the windows washed according to national safety? Do you really think that this story-building is not going to need a place to store paper products? It will be good to avoid such questions or conversations from people by bring in a building professional who knows the building trends in Atlanta.
In some buildings you will find expensive revolving roof sits in the front facing the street. Surprisingly this door is the least used to the main body of pedestrian traffic. If you look carefully the entrance leading from the parking deck is a standard metal door that will always need repairs because of the heavy traffic. We will not even talk of the cold that comes blowing in when the door is open.
Every building engineer knows that using a wooden bed will always need maintenance or repairs, but they also know that the sand bed system is nearly maintenance free. It will be good to consult these building engineers to reduce the cost of bed maintenance. What do you usually say when you take a look at a beautiful landscape? Special care is being given to the plants to be green. Who did the designing? Did a home inspector inspect the design which was made? To have the right answer of these questions, try to meet a professional designer or a building engineer.
It will be good to start a new trend, if you want to construct a comfortable home. Get a seasoned building engineer who is constructing and designing modern homes not homes of yesterday.
Start out with a concept in mind. Then sit down with an experienced contemporary architect who can help you put your ideas on design paper.
Make sure that you are able to communicate with your architect easily.
Ground-breaking new trends are needed, as a lot of people, especially the younger generation is demanding it. This will make your building to be easily marketable when it comes time to rent it out or sell it.
Eric Mabo is an Atlanta foreclosures Expert. He helps people find real estate deals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Mabo
How To Use "Building Systems" In The Carolinas To Save You Money
The housing industry has grown exponentially in step with our country's population growth, and these days there are plenty of options for the type of home you can build. You hear terms like mobile and manufactured, modular, panelized, and stick-built. What's the difference in the way these houses are built and their costs?
We'll start with an easy one, Stick-Built Homes. These are your traditional homes. They are built on site, piece by piece, stick by stick. They are highly customizable, versatile, and the most common type of home built. They also take the longest time to build, and are typically more expensive per square foot. As a result of being built on the site and the time it takes, the home is open to the elements and is subject to delays. Anyone who has passed a construction site in the middle of the winter, with a half built home on it, realizes the problems this may pose. Now, imagine that home was yours. Not too pretty, huh? When you build in the Carolinas, weather plays less of a role, as winter isn't as severe and many building crews work late into the year. However, even in North and South Carolina you'll have to worry about rain, especially near the coast. When building materials get wet, they start to warp and develop mold. Concerns about weather damage, innovations in factory-line production, better availability of materials, and a greater desire to control costs have led to the growing popularity of the building systems described below. All the remaining types of housing are constructed indoors, and shipped to your building site in one way or another. Most present some type of cost or time savings over traditional stick-built homes, but may have other drawbacks.
The term pre-fabricated came into use in London after World War Two, as a housing solution for displaced families. Pre-fabrication is a term used to refer to all the types of housing that follows, as all are pre-fabricated, in a factory, off-site and put together on-site. The most important thing to remember is these styles of homes are built inside, with climate control and levels of quality control in place. This style of home building is starting to be referred to as "systems built homes" by the National Association of Home Builders. Building systems are used to save time, achieve more consistent quality, and decrease the need for specialized labor. The company, Carolina System-Built Home, builds All American Homes (which has a plant in Rutherfordton, North Carolina), and is based out of Lexington, South Carolina. You can find them at carolinasystem dot com.
Mobile homes and Manufactured homes are married in history. When a person says mobile, typically negative connotations are thought of: hurricanes destroying large tracts of homes, value depreciation, and poorly built homes. The term mobile home actually refers to homes, built on a chassis with wheels for transportation, prior to 1976, when US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations were put in place. After 1976, this type of home, one with a chassis, has been referred to as manufactured homes. So, you wonder, even with the fancier name and regulations, will these homes still blow away in a heavy storm? These days, with the regulations set upon them, manufactured homes are of much greater quality. There are still concerns regarding stability under high wind, and value depreciation. But overall, manufactured homes are of better quality, safer, and more accepted than they used to be. Nowadays there are double-wides and triple-wides, further enhancing the livability of manufactured housing. In addition, as manufactured homes are subject to Federal regulations, they are exempt from local building regulations. This may make getting the home on the ground easier and faster, but can enable people to sacrifice quality. Local building regulations are good because they make sure homes are built to withstand regional influences of weather and other variables. Manufactured homes are subject to local zoning regulations. Some properties are restricted from putting manufactured homes on them. If you are looking for a first home in North Carolina or South Carolina, buying a manufactured home is a great way to get your foot in the door. You can live in the area for a while, get to know it and then move to a different location you like, without the full investment a traditional home would entail. If you have the money to spare and the inclination, you might consider renting the manufactured home after you move.
Modular Homes, which are often confused with manufactured homes, are quite close to stick-built homes. These types of homes are now being widely accepted throughout North and South Carolina. The sections of the home, referred to as modules, are constructed in a factory, and assembled on site, with the help of a crane and construction crew. Because the home is transported via highway in set pieces, there are limits to the design configurations the home may take. Some people are adverse to the idea of their home being subjected to the bumps and bruises of hundreds of miles of highway travel. In the past, securing loans for modular homes was difficult, but that problem has been largely reduced, as banks are becoming more familiar with the process. Typically with modular homes, all of the finishes are included in the factory construction. Some home owners object to this practice, as there may be a high mark-up and a limit on the options available. Modular homes must adhere to the local building regulations where they will be sited. Overall, modular homes are of good quality, and very similar to stick-built homes. A North Carolina based modular home builder is Professional Building Systems, based out of Mount Gilead. You can visit their website at www.pbsnc.com.
Panelized homes are another higher quality option for factory built homes. Panelized homes differ from modular homes in that the walls, roofing, and flooring are all assembled in a factory and then put together on the site. Greater options exist for flexibility of design, and less stress is placed on the home during transit. Finishes and appliances are selected, purchased, and installed by the owner/buyer on site. Panelized homes take longer to finish on the site than modular homes. Some people like panelized homes because of the sweat equity they can put into them, and therefore save some construction costs. Panelized homes are also attractive to green minded people, as they eliminate a large amount of the typical waste associated with building a home. Typically, the panels contain high quality insulation comparative to stick-built or modular homes, although attention must be paid to the joining of the sections to limit leakage. Panelized homes must adhere to the local building regulations where they will be sited. Visit www.valubuild.com to learn more about panel built homes.
Costs:
General estimates regarding pre-fabricated homes figure a 20 to 40 percent savings over traditional stick-built homes. However, this figure can be highly misleading. With modular homes, increased size also means increased costs, as more trucks are required to transport the homes and more cranes and men are required to construct them. Panelized homes face the same challenges in regards to transport, and depending on your leg work in your local area, the cost of your finishes and labor can vary highly. Manufactured homes are by far the cheapest up-front, but decrease in value over time. This is changing, but be aware of it. Since they are built to HUD standards established in the 1970's, manufactured homes are typically not as well insulated as modular, panel, and stick-built homes. Because they are built in all types of weather, stick-built homes often require more maintenance during construction than factory-built homes. The quality of stick-built homes also varies, even within the same builder, as weather conditions affect the home.
Overall, stick-built homes are the most time consuming and expensive, but they are also the most customizable and easiest to acquire financing for. Panel built homes are the second easiest to acquire financing for, as some of the actual building occurs on site. Panel built homes are often considered the best insulated, and have a bit of a savings advantage over modular homes. Modular homes are quicker than panel homes to move into, and provide the greatest ease of construction, while maintaining high quality in structural quality and insulation. Manufactured homes are by far lightest on the pocket on the outset, although future depreciation skews this figure. They are also the quickest to move into, once you've found a suitable site.
No matter which way you go, homes where some or all of the components are factory built have clear advantages. It's a growing market, and you'll do well to be familiar with it. Save yourself time, money, and wind up with a home that you love, quicker than you thought possible.
Visit www.PlacesOfValue.com for more articles on best places in North Carolina and South Carolina, relocation made easy, top retirement communities, cost of living, and designing and building your Dream Home.
I've spent over 30 years finding the best real estate locations for major corporations. These companies have made hundreds of millions of dollars based on the locations I've selected.
I'm a professional real estate site locator and location analyst. During the last 5 years, I've been researching the growth of towns in North and South Carolina, for the relocation of my family.
I've studied hundreds of towns to find those areas which are still affordable, have a high quality lifestyle, and the potential for future growth.
My purpose is to share what I've found with you and help you find your Dream Place in the Carolinas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Bencivenga
We'll start with an easy one, Stick-Built Homes. These are your traditional homes. They are built on site, piece by piece, stick by stick. They are highly customizable, versatile, and the most common type of home built. They also take the longest time to build, and are typically more expensive per square foot. As a result of being built on the site and the time it takes, the home is open to the elements and is subject to delays. Anyone who has passed a construction site in the middle of the winter, with a half built home on it, realizes the problems this may pose. Now, imagine that home was yours. Not too pretty, huh? When you build in the Carolinas, weather plays less of a role, as winter isn't as severe and many building crews work late into the year. However, even in North and South Carolina you'll have to worry about rain, especially near the coast. When building materials get wet, they start to warp and develop mold. Concerns about weather damage, innovations in factory-line production, better availability of materials, and a greater desire to control costs have led to the growing popularity of the building systems described below. All the remaining types of housing are constructed indoors, and shipped to your building site in one way or another. Most present some type of cost or time savings over traditional stick-built homes, but may have other drawbacks.
The term pre-fabricated came into use in London after World War Two, as a housing solution for displaced families. Pre-fabrication is a term used to refer to all the types of housing that follows, as all are pre-fabricated, in a factory, off-site and put together on-site. The most important thing to remember is these styles of homes are built inside, with climate control and levels of quality control in place. This style of home building is starting to be referred to as "systems built homes" by the National Association of Home Builders. Building systems are used to save time, achieve more consistent quality, and decrease the need for specialized labor. The company, Carolina System-Built Home, builds All American Homes (which has a plant in Rutherfordton, North Carolina), and is based out of Lexington, South Carolina. You can find them at carolinasystem dot com.
Mobile homes and Manufactured homes are married in history. When a person says mobile, typically negative connotations are thought of: hurricanes destroying large tracts of homes, value depreciation, and poorly built homes. The term mobile home actually refers to homes, built on a chassis with wheels for transportation, prior to 1976, when US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations were put in place. After 1976, this type of home, one with a chassis, has been referred to as manufactured homes. So, you wonder, even with the fancier name and regulations, will these homes still blow away in a heavy storm? These days, with the regulations set upon them, manufactured homes are of much greater quality. There are still concerns regarding stability under high wind, and value depreciation. But overall, manufactured homes are of better quality, safer, and more accepted than they used to be. Nowadays there are double-wides and triple-wides, further enhancing the livability of manufactured housing. In addition, as manufactured homes are subject to Federal regulations, they are exempt from local building regulations. This may make getting the home on the ground easier and faster, but can enable people to sacrifice quality. Local building regulations are good because they make sure homes are built to withstand regional influences of weather and other variables. Manufactured homes are subject to local zoning regulations. Some properties are restricted from putting manufactured homes on them. If you are looking for a first home in North Carolina or South Carolina, buying a manufactured home is a great way to get your foot in the door. You can live in the area for a while, get to know it and then move to a different location you like, without the full investment a traditional home would entail. If you have the money to spare and the inclination, you might consider renting the manufactured home after you move.
Modular Homes, which are often confused with manufactured homes, are quite close to stick-built homes. These types of homes are now being widely accepted throughout North and South Carolina. The sections of the home, referred to as modules, are constructed in a factory, and assembled on site, with the help of a crane and construction crew. Because the home is transported via highway in set pieces, there are limits to the design configurations the home may take. Some people are adverse to the idea of their home being subjected to the bumps and bruises of hundreds of miles of highway travel. In the past, securing loans for modular homes was difficult, but that problem has been largely reduced, as banks are becoming more familiar with the process. Typically with modular homes, all of the finishes are included in the factory construction. Some home owners object to this practice, as there may be a high mark-up and a limit on the options available. Modular homes must adhere to the local building regulations where they will be sited. Overall, modular homes are of good quality, and very similar to stick-built homes. A North Carolina based modular home builder is Professional Building Systems, based out of Mount Gilead. You can visit their website at www.pbsnc.com.
Panelized homes are another higher quality option for factory built homes. Panelized homes differ from modular homes in that the walls, roofing, and flooring are all assembled in a factory and then put together on the site. Greater options exist for flexibility of design, and less stress is placed on the home during transit. Finishes and appliances are selected, purchased, and installed by the owner/buyer on site. Panelized homes take longer to finish on the site than modular homes. Some people like panelized homes because of the sweat equity they can put into them, and therefore save some construction costs. Panelized homes are also attractive to green minded people, as they eliminate a large amount of the typical waste associated with building a home. Typically, the panels contain high quality insulation comparative to stick-built or modular homes, although attention must be paid to the joining of the sections to limit leakage. Panelized homes must adhere to the local building regulations where they will be sited. Visit www.valubuild.com to learn more about panel built homes.
Costs:
General estimates regarding pre-fabricated homes figure a 20 to 40 percent savings over traditional stick-built homes. However, this figure can be highly misleading. With modular homes, increased size also means increased costs, as more trucks are required to transport the homes and more cranes and men are required to construct them. Panelized homes face the same challenges in regards to transport, and depending on your leg work in your local area, the cost of your finishes and labor can vary highly. Manufactured homes are by far the cheapest up-front, but decrease in value over time. This is changing, but be aware of it. Since they are built to HUD standards established in the 1970's, manufactured homes are typically not as well insulated as modular, panel, and stick-built homes. Because they are built in all types of weather, stick-built homes often require more maintenance during construction than factory-built homes. The quality of stick-built homes also varies, even within the same builder, as weather conditions affect the home.
Overall, stick-built homes are the most time consuming and expensive, but they are also the most customizable and easiest to acquire financing for. Panel built homes are the second easiest to acquire financing for, as some of the actual building occurs on site. Panel built homes are often considered the best insulated, and have a bit of a savings advantage over modular homes. Modular homes are quicker than panel homes to move into, and provide the greatest ease of construction, while maintaining high quality in structural quality and insulation. Manufactured homes are by far lightest on the pocket on the outset, although future depreciation skews this figure. They are also the quickest to move into, once you've found a suitable site.
No matter which way you go, homes where some or all of the components are factory built have clear advantages. It's a growing market, and you'll do well to be familiar with it. Save yourself time, money, and wind up with a home that you love, quicker than you thought possible.
Visit www.PlacesOfValue.com for more articles on best places in North Carolina and South Carolina, relocation made easy, top retirement communities, cost of living, and designing and building your Dream Home.
I've spent over 30 years finding the best real estate locations for major corporations. These companies have made hundreds of millions of dollars based on the locations I've selected.
I'm a professional real estate site locator and location analyst. During the last 5 years, I've been researching the growth of towns in North and South Carolina, for the relocation of my family.
I've studied hundreds of towns to find those areas which are still affordable, have a high quality lifestyle, and the potential for future growth.
My purpose is to share what I've found with you and help you find your Dream Place in the Carolinas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Bencivenga
Useful Tips on Buying a Home
Home buying is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. With the proper resources, home buying can be an easier process. Let's learn the basics of home buying in seven easy steps.
Step 1: Identify My Home Needs
List in order of priority the features and options you would like in your next home
Discover what these features would add onto the cost of your home
Narrow down your choices based on the reasons why you want to include them in your next home
Narrow the options even further within the spectrum of your budget
Weigh desires against needs and available funds
Step 2: What Can I Afford?
You have now by process of elimination finalized a list of what your home should include from the number of rooms to the type of floors and everything in between. It is now time to crunch the numbers to see what is within your budget. Use our tools and mortgage calculators for help. Now is the time to take the next step. Many people try to understand the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved mortgages. Let's take a look:
Pre-qualified
Pre-qualified for a mortgage is something you can do very easil
Taking the steps to pre-qualify will give you a basic idea of how much you can borrow
You are not really applying for a loan, you are simply sharing with a mortgage consultant your credit history, income, assets and liabilities
Since with your pre-qualification no information has been verified, your mortgage consultant cannot guarantee a mortgage loan amount
Remember pre-qualification is just a preliminary step in getting a home loan; herein, this is where pre-approval becomes important Pre-approval
You can skip to the pre-approval step to save time and be more efficient in your home buying process
Tells the real estate agent and seller that your are serious about your home purchase
Your information is verified and gives you control when making an offer to a home seller
Lets you know your affordable price range
Can speed up your home buying process
However, pre-approval is not the final step; mortgage lenders will want to know what home you are interested in purchasing before locking in your interest rate.
Getting pre-approval can be very fast and sometimes only take a few minutes
Use your mortgage pre-approval as leverage when negotiating for a home
Step 3: Shopping for My Home
You have decided which community you would like to reside in and have solidified your home price range; it is now time to start looking for your home
Your search:
It is good to check out a real estate agent directory online to find a local realtor that can help guide you through the pitfalls of home searches
By enlisting the help of a professional realtor you can save a lot of time and money
Give the realtor your specifications and you can start visiting homes in your target community and price affordability
Be patient, have an open mind, and enjoy the journey that leads to the path of your new home
Step 4: This is My Offer
You have found the home you wanted; now it is time to make the offer.
Remember the seller and you have different goals. You want to buy at the lowest price while the seller wants to sell at the highest price
If you have a real estate professional working on your behalf it can make the negotiation process easier for you.
It is critical that you hold all of your cards close to your chest when negotiating: don't tell the homeowner about your moving status, your current financial status and, your thoughts about the home.
Basically, keep your interaction with the homeowner to a minimum and keep it professionally cordial; don't lose your leverage at the negotiating table
Step 5: My Home Inspection
Once you and the seller have agreed upon a price, it is time for the extensive home inspection. Some of the inspections to be considered are:
Insect
Radon
Building quality
Oil tank
Asbestos
Title
Termite
Lead paint analysis (if house built earlier than 1980s) etc.
There are some basic inspections you should do depending on your form of financing. It is upto you how the extensive is, sometimes 2 or 3 separate inspections can be performed:
First inspection should be your own basic one
Second inspection should be a professional complete home inspection by a reputable person
Third, a mini-inspection should be performed at the end of the appraisal. But don't depend on this appraisal as your only inspection of the home
I cannot highlight enough the critical importance of having an extensive inspection. It is better not to skimp on a few hundred dollars on a home inspection and pay thousands later on in home repairs that could have been avoided if discovered during a thorough inspection. The offer of purchase should be contingent upon a satisfactory home inspection report. When it comes to the inspection have the final say and not let anyone dissuade you from carrying it forward to your satisfaction.
Also, if you have a proper inspection and move into the house, the inspection can give you an out from the legal contract. If the damage cannot be compensated for monetarily or repaired to professional standards, you still may have the option to cancel the contract. Remember inspections are not there to reveal cosmetic deficiencies but material ones that can affect livability, resale value or safety.
Also, don't wait till you have placed an offer on the table to look for an inspector. The contract may have time limits designating when the home inspection must be completed by (usually 7 to 14 days). If you search for an inspector after the offer, you may be left with two choices:
Work with an inspector not of your first choice
Risk going past home inspection deadline (this may void chances of the seller fixing any repairs)
Neither is a palatable option.
Step 6: My Home Insurance
While having your inspection done check into home insurance or home protection plans. What does home insurance do? Home insurance policies can be purchased by the buyer or seller and help protect against unexpected costs or home repairs during the listing period or in the initial years after a home has been purchased.
Provides you financial protection financial protection against disasters
Your standard policy protects your home and its belongings
Covers you in case of damage to your property
Gives liability protection in case you or members of your family cause an injury and property damage to other people; includes damage caused by your household pets
Damage caused by many disasters with the exception of earthquakes, poor maintenance, and floods
You have the option of purchasing separate home insurance policies for flood and earthquake
Damage due to poor maintenance is not covered, that is your responsibility
Also, having a higher deductible can lower your insurance premium.
Step 7: My Home Closing
You are now one step closer to your new home, only the final closing stands before you. Make sure you have the necessary items for the closing;
Complete paper work and deposits
Title work
Homeowners insurance
Other items necessary under local and state laws
Now it's official, it is your new home. It is time to move in.
Website: http://www.ehomemortgages.com/
Blog: http://www.gimmiethescoop.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gaurav_Bhola
Step 1: Identify My Home Needs
List in order of priority the features and options you would like in your next home
Discover what these features would add onto the cost of your home
Narrow down your choices based on the reasons why you want to include them in your next home
Narrow the options even further within the spectrum of your budget
Weigh desires against needs and available funds
Step 2: What Can I Afford?
You have now by process of elimination finalized a list of what your home should include from the number of rooms to the type of floors and everything in between. It is now time to crunch the numbers to see what is within your budget. Use our tools and mortgage calculators for help. Now is the time to take the next step. Many people try to understand the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved mortgages. Let's take a look:
Pre-qualified
Pre-qualified for a mortgage is something you can do very easil
Taking the steps to pre-qualify will give you a basic idea of how much you can borrow
You are not really applying for a loan, you are simply sharing with a mortgage consultant your credit history, income, assets and liabilities
Since with your pre-qualification no information has been verified, your mortgage consultant cannot guarantee a mortgage loan amount
Remember pre-qualification is just a preliminary step in getting a home loan; herein, this is where pre-approval becomes important Pre-approval
You can skip to the pre-approval step to save time and be more efficient in your home buying process
Tells the real estate agent and seller that your are serious about your home purchase
Your information is verified and gives you control when making an offer to a home seller
Lets you know your affordable price range
Can speed up your home buying process
However, pre-approval is not the final step; mortgage lenders will want to know what home you are interested in purchasing before locking in your interest rate.
Getting pre-approval can be very fast and sometimes only take a few minutes
Use your mortgage pre-approval as leverage when negotiating for a home
Step 3: Shopping for My Home
You have decided which community you would like to reside in and have solidified your home price range; it is now time to start looking for your home
Your search:
It is good to check out a real estate agent directory online to find a local realtor that can help guide you through the pitfalls of home searches
By enlisting the help of a professional realtor you can save a lot of time and money
Give the realtor your specifications and you can start visiting homes in your target community and price affordability
Be patient, have an open mind, and enjoy the journey that leads to the path of your new home
Step 4: This is My Offer
You have found the home you wanted; now it is time to make the offer.
Remember the seller and you have different goals. You want to buy at the lowest price while the seller wants to sell at the highest price
If you have a real estate professional working on your behalf it can make the negotiation process easier for you.
It is critical that you hold all of your cards close to your chest when negotiating: don't tell the homeowner about your moving status, your current financial status and, your thoughts about the home.
Basically, keep your interaction with the homeowner to a minimum and keep it professionally cordial; don't lose your leverage at the negotiating table
Step 5: My Home Inspection
Once you and the seller have agreed upon a price, it is time for the extensive home inspection. Some of the inspections to be considered are:
Insect
Radon
Building quality
Oil tank
Asbestos
Title
Termite
Lead paint analysis (if house built earlier than 1980s) etc.
There are some basic inspections you should do depending on your form of financing. It is upto you how the extensive is, sometimes 2 or 3 separate inspections can be performed:
First inspection should be your own basic one
Second inspection should be a professional complete home inspection by a reputable person
Third, a mini-inspection should be performed at the end of the appraisal. But don't depend on this appraisal as your only inspection of the home
I cannot highlight enough the critical importance of having an extensive inspection. It is better not to skimp on a few hundred dollars on a home inspection and pay thousands later on in home repairs that could have been avoided if discovered during a thorough inspection. The offer of purchase should be contingent upon a satisfactory home inspection report. When it comes to the inspection have the final say and not let anyone dissuade you from carrying it forward to your satisfaction.
Also, if you have a proper inspection and move into the house, the inspection can give you an out from the legal contract. If the damage cannot be compensated for monetarily or repaired to professional standards, you still may have the option to cancel the contract. Remember inspections are not there to reveal cosmetic deficiencies but material ones that can affect livability, resale value or safety.
Also, don't wait till you have placed an offer on the table to look for an inspector. The contract may have time limits designating when the home inspection must be completed by (usually 7 to 14 days). If you search for an inspector after the offer, you may be left with two choices:
Work with an inspector not of your first choice
Risk going past home inspection deadline (this may void chances of the seller fixing any repairs)
Neither is a palatable option.
Step 6: My Home Insurance
While having your inspection done check into home insurance or home protection plans. What does home insurance do? Home insurance policies can be purchased by the buyer or seller and help protect against unexpected costs or home repairs during the listing period or in the initial years after a home has been purchased.
Provides you financial protection financial protection against disasters
Your standard policy protects your home and its belongings
Covers you in case of damage to your property
Gives liability protection in case you or members of your family cause an injury and property damage to other people; includes damage caused by your household pets
Damage caused by many disasters with the exception of earthquakes, poor maintenance, and floods
You have the option of purchasing separate home insurance policies for flood and earthquake
Damage due to poor maintenance is not covered, that is your responsibility
Also, having a higher deductible can lower your insurance premium.
Step 7: My Home Closing
You are now one step closer to your new home, only the final closing stands before you. Make sure you have the necessary items for the closing;
Complete paper work and deposits
Title work
Homeowners insurance
Other items necessary under local and state laws
Now it's official, it is your new home. It is time to move in.
Website: http://www.ehomemortgages.com/
Blog: http://www.gimmiethescoop.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gaurav_Bhola
Common Builder Blunders - and How to Avoid Them!
When it comes to building a house, there are dozens of opportunities for making mistakes or bad decisions. Not to worry, you've hired a reputable builder who knows what he's doing; these mistakes shouldn't be an issue. Maybe in a perfect world, but all builders can make errors. These may be as simple as locating a shower head too low, causing you to stoop ever time you have a shower, or inconveniently locating a toilet paper roll so that you have to reach. It's not a huge issue, but over time it gets pretty annoying.
Here are a few of the more common builder errors to keep an eye out for.
Outside of the House
Air conditioners should be located on the east or north side of the home for maximum efficiency, but ensure they are not located close to bedrooms. Although the newer units are fairly quiet, you'll still here the compressors when the unit is in use.
Driveways should be wide enough that you don't have to step on the grass when you get out of the car. If you have a double car laneway, you should be able to park two cars, side by side, without dinging the doors. A single lane drive should be no less than 12 feet wide and a double-wide driveway should be 22 feet wide.
A covered porch is a simple improvement you'll thank your builder for time and again. Especially the next time you're standing in the rain with your arms full of groceries, and fumbling for your keys.
Outdoor faucets should be conveniently located at the front and rear of the house. Think of where your gardens and planters will be situated for handy hose access.
Exterior electrical outlets are not used that often, but when they are needed, you want them close by. You'll want them at the front, back and possibly the side, depending on the type of exterior work you'll be doing. It's great to have outlets installed in your soffits for handy Christmas light plug-ins.
Indoors
Interior Electrical outlets can be a huge source of frustration if they aren't conveniently located. You'll want to ensure they're installed in the walls directly behind end tables, next to beds or couches, or on top of a fireplace mantle. You may also want some floor outlets in a home office or coffee table situated in the middle of a room. My biggest source of frustration was not having an outlet in the island in my kitchen.
Traffic flow should be examined when you're planning your floor layout. Ensure that areas designated as pathways, won't be obstructed by furniture. Usually a 36 inch width is chosen for stairways, you'll appreciate increasing this to 42 inches or more in width.
Spongy floors can be avoided if you request extra stiff floors. The average building code for floors is 1/360, ask your builder to upgrade to a 1/480 deflection design instead.
Trusses are probably one of the least concerns of most new home owners, but so important for future renovation possibilities. If you intend on creating added living space in an attic or above a garage, request that your builder install a truss that will allow for added headroom in these areas. Also, have him install a real staircase in these spaces, not a fold-up model.
Written on behalf of HomesByLender.com, one of the nation's best resources for homes for sale by owner. Contact us for information on finding Utah homes for sale by owner.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Bilberry
Here are a few of the more common builder errors to keep an eye out for.
Outside of the House
Air conditioners should be located on the east or north side of the home for maximum efficiency, but ensure they are not located close to bedrooms. Although the newer units are fairly quiet, you'll still here the compressors when the unit is in use.
Driveways should be wide enough that you don't have to step on the grass when you get out of the car. If you have a double car laneway, you should be able to park two cars, side by side, without dinging the doors. A single lane drive should be no less than 12 feet wide and a double-wide driveway should be 22 feet wide.
A covered porch is a simple improvement you'll thank your builder for time and again. Especially the next time you're standing in the rain with your arms full of groceries, and fumbling for your keys.
Outdoor faucets should be conveniently located at the front and rear of the house. Think of where your gardens and planters will be situated for handy hose access.
Exterior electrical outlets are not used that often, but when they are needed, you want them close by. You'll want them at the front, back and possibly the side, depending on the type of exterior work you'll be doing. It's great to have outlets installed in your soffits for handy Christmas light plug-ins.
Indoors
Interior Electrical outlets can be a huge source of frustration if they aren't conveniently located. You'll want to ensure they're installed in the walls directly behind end tables, next to beds or couches, or on top of a fireplace mantle. You may also want some floor outlets in a home office or coffee table situated in the middle of a room. My biggest source of frustration was not having an outlet in the island in my kitchen.
Traffic flow should be examined when you're planning your floor layout. Ensure that areas designated as pathways, won't be obstructed by furniture. Usually a 36 inch width is chosen for stairways, you'll appreciate increasing this to 42 inches or more in width.
Spongy floors can be avoided if you request extra stiff floors. The average building code for floors is 1/360, ask your builder to upgrade to a 1/480 deflection design instead.
Trusses are probably one of the least concerns of most new home owners, but so important for future renovation possibilities. If you intend on creating added living space in an attic or above a garage, request that your builder install a truss that will allow for added headroom in these areas. Also, have him install a real staircase in these spaces, not a fold-up model.
Written on behalf of HomesByLender.com, one of the nation's best resources for homes for sale by owner. Contact us for information on finding Utah homes for sale by owner.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Bilberry
Choosing Upgrades For Your New Construction Home - Five Things to Remember
Recently my wife and I had a home built in a brand new sub division. The house was a semi custom home meaning we got to pick the upgrades, colors and features but didn't get to choose the floor plan. Honestly, the process of building the house was very exciting. However, one of the most difficult parts was knowing what upgrades to choose from the extensive list of options. It was definitely very difficult to pick. However, we discovered a few things during the process that I thought I would pass along. Here they are...
1. It is absolutely essential to choose a budget and stick to it. This is really tough since they will give you so many options. However, if you aren't careful it is easy to spend tens of thousands of dollars more than you wanted to spend. For my wife and I, we had to sit down prior to our meeting with the design center and choose some of the options that were must haves and some that would be nice. We didn't end up getting too many that weren't on the must have list. It is always helpful if you ask the builder for a price list prior to your meeting with the design center.
2. There are some upgrades that will build value in your home and others that won't have any resale value at all. This is something to keep in mind but it shouldn't completely control your decision making process. Choose what you like. Remember that almost every house is going to have some upgrades to it and that if you don't choose anything your house might be too plain. Make choices that will give your house character and help to make it your home.
3. Remember that there are some upgrades that you can do after the building process is done and there are others that you can't (or will cost you a lot to do). If you think you might want speakers, cable jacks, plumbing or extra electrical outlets you will probably want to have the builder put them in for you since they can be very difficult to add later. On the other hand, adding some extra cabinets, changing out fixtures and putting up blinds are all things that you can do yourself after the building process is finished. Plus, you can probably save money by hiring someone other than the builder to do it for you.
4. The builder will price the upgrades on the list according to their cost and their desire to do the upgrades. You will find that some upgrades seem like a great value while others seem overpriced. The overpriced ones are most likely ones that the builder doesn't really want to do anyway. The same will apply if you ask the builder to make customizations to your home that they don't really want to do. They may quote you a price but they will certainly charge you for their hassle.
5. The builder makes a lot of money on ALL of the upgrades that they do. This is something to remember when looking to purchase appliances, fixtures, blinds and other items as part of the building process. If you buy these items through the builder you will most likely pay more than retail for the items and you will probably get less choice than you would if you just go to your local building supply superstore.
These are just a few things that we learned as we walked through the upgrade process for our new home. We are now moved in and are continuing to make our house our home. Overall, we are happy with the upgrades we chose and we were able to stick to our budget. Something that is easier said than done.
Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for www.MyBinding.com and lives in Hillsboro, Oregon. He writes extensively on topics related to Binding Machines, Binding Supplies, Report Covers, Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Pouches, Roll Film, Shredders, and Paper Handling Equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_McRitchie
1. It is absolutely essential to choose a budget and stick to it. This is really tough since they will give you so many options. However, if you aren't careful it is easy to spend tens of thousands of dollars more than you wanted to spend. For my wife and I, we had to sit down prior to our meeting with the design center and choose some of the options that were must haves and some that would be nice. We didn't end up getting too many that weren't on the must have list. It is always helpful if you ask the builder for a price list prior to your meeting with the design center.
2. There are some upgrades that will build value in your home and others that won't have any resale value at all. This is something to keep in mind but it shouldn't completely control your decision making process. Choose what you like. Remember that almost every house is going to have some upgrades to it and that if you don't choose anything your house might be too plain. Make choices that will give your house character and help to make it your home.
3. Remember that there are some upgrades that you can do after the building process is done and there are others that you can't (or will cost you a lot to do). If you think you might want speakers, cable jacks, plumbing or extra electrical outlets you will probably want to have the builder put them in for you since they can be very difficult to add later. On the other hand, adding some extra cabinets, changing out fixtures and putting up blinds are all things that you can do yourself after the building process is finished. Plus, you can probably save money by hiring someone other than the builder to do it for you.
4. The builder will price the upgrades on the list according to their cost and their desire to do the upgrades. You will find that some upgrades seem like a great value while others seem overpriced. The overpriced ones are most likely ones that the builder doesn't really want to do anyway. The same will apply if you ask the builder to make customizations to your home that they don't really want to do. They may quote you a price but they will certainly charge you for their hassle.
5. The builder makes a lot of money on ALL of the upgrades that they do. This is something to remember when looking to purchase appliances, fixtures, blinds and other items as part of the building process. If you buy these items through the builder you will most likely pay more than retail for the items and you will probably get less choice than you would if you just go to your local building supply superstore.
These are just a few things that we learned as we walked through the upgrade process for our new home. We are now moved in and are continuing to make our house our home. Overall, we are happy with the upgrades we chose and we were able to stick to our budget. Something that is easier said than done.
Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for www.MyBinding.com and lives in Hillsboro, Oregon. He writes extensively on topics related to Binding Machines, Binding Supplies, Report Covers, Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Pouches, Roll Film, Shredders, and Paper Handling Equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_McRitchie
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