Tod Trimmer REALTORS®, Inc.
Presents

Custom Builder Services
by Tod Trimmer, CRS, CSP

With over 250 "new home" sales,  over 40 different builders, and with over 50 truly custom built homes, I have an extensive background in new homes and the entire building process.

Do you really want to build?  Building your dream home can be a most rewarding experience or literally become a living nightmare!  Knowing what to expect will help you decide whether or not building is right for you, and if so, how to get most of what you want with the least amount of stress. 

Do you have five to six months to wait?  Depending on the time of the year, you can expect it to take five or six months from when the building permit is filed for your new home to be finished.  If you are having plans drawn, add at least another two to three weeks.

The building process is an imperfect one.  With over a dozen sub-contractors involved, mistakes will be made.  Somebody will install the wrong light fixture, or the wrong wall paper, or use a sub-standard building material other than what was specified!  THEN, you must have the builder correct it, as he should, only he will want you to let it go.  Do you have the fortitude to stand up for yourself as you should?  The point being, if you are not an assertive person, realize that you are entitled to receive everything that you have contracted for and absolutely do not feel bad about asking the builder to re-do any mistakes.  Also, do not hesitate to use your REALTOR® as an emissary if you feel uncomfortable about anything!

In the end though, you can feel good about having your home designed and built to your specifications, just the way you wanted it!  Your pride of home ownership will reach new heights.  So, lets begin!

Where do you find the right floor plan?  First, I recommend that you make a quiet time for yourself and write down a wish list.  I have found that things come our way when we know what we are looking for.  Visualize yourself in each of your desired living areas.   Imagine how you would like your new kitchen to be -- will it have a sandwich bar? What type of floor will it have, tile - hard wood - vinyl?  Will you have a sun room or a screened in porch? 

Now, you will need to start a new file folder, titled your name plans.  You are going to start to see bits and pieces of your new dream home in magazines, newspapers, parade of homes books, and plan books.  Keep it simple, if you like what you see, cut it out and file it. 

Next we will need to find the right lot and builder for you.  Why not go straight to an architect you wonder?  Because an architect usually will draw what you want without regard to the construction cost, whereas a builder can make cost saving suggestions.  Also, the builder usually has already factored in a plan allowance!  DO NOT order a set of plans from out-of-state unless they are EXACTLY what you want.  They will have to be re-engineered for your local building codes, and if you are going to modify them you will have to pay to have that done.  Let your builder make that call.

The "Best of the Best" plans.  If you like what you are reading here, bookmark this page now, or write down our number.  Tod Trimmer REALTORS®, Inc., toll free at 1-888-755-3040, local 919-845-3040.  Link to best plans at www.southdesigns.com & www.frankbetz.com

If you have trouble reading plans you should try to visit as many model homes as you can.  I have found that it is always best if there is a similar plan built that you can actually walk through.  Then make modifications right there.

Where do you find the right lot to build on?  Start by asking yourself basic questions.  What school district do you want to be in?  Do you want to be in the city or the county?   Do you want amenities, and if so, which ones? (pool, tennis courts, golf course, walking trails, etc.)  How big of a homesite do you want?  And, how much are you willing to pay for it?

It's time to talk about your budget.  I recommend that you take five minutes and call a mortgage broker, not your banker, for a quick pre-qualification to see where you stand.  A mortgage broker can shop the nation for you and your local banker* probably can only offer you one rate. (*unless you are a member of a credit union, which will require minimal closing costs) 

How do you find the right builder?  I first look at the builders work, the quality of materials used and the craftsmanship.  I will show you what to look for from the foundation to the ridge vents on the roof.  If the framing is not square, the doors and windows will not work right.  If the 2 x 4s are not "sighted", the walls will wave.  If the builder did not use a cast iron drop, you will hear the water in the walls every time the toilet is flushed.  There are hundreds of little details that become major details if over-looked or not done properly.

Next, the builders' reputation for following up with warranty work.  If I do not have personal knowledge about a particular builder, I will ask around.  A new home owner in the neighborhood who has been in there new home about six months is always a good candidate.  The question is not whether or not there was a problem, but rather, how well has the builder taken care of any problems for you?

And lastly, how good is the price of this builders' product in relation to the other builders?  If it is considerably higher or lower than it should be we will want to find out why.  If it is too low, there might be a design fault, or something negative might exist on a neighboring lot, or maybe the market has just been slow.  If it is too high, he might be planning on finishing a third floor attic or basement, or possibly he just charges more for his work. 

Valuable building tips. 

        When building a new home, your purchase contract should always contain "Standard Features and Allowances" addendum's.  These addendum's should specify exactly what you are supposed to get.  DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING!  The better job you do covering every detail up front with your addendum's the better you will be able to relax and sleep at night. 

        Allowances are meant to keep you on budget and to let you know exactly where you are at.  If you know up front that you are going to exceed the proposed allowances (appliances, lighting or plumbing fixtures, carpet, wallpaper, etc.) then increase it up-front at the time of contract.  Otherwise, most builders are going to want you to pay the difference at the time of selection.  If you do not use all of the allowance you will get a credit at closing.

        When making your color selections, paint or brick, there is nothing more difficult than trying to imagine what the outside of your house will look like from a 1 inch square paint chip!  I recommend riding around new home neighborhoods and writing down the addresses of the homes with the brick type or paint colors that you like.  Your REALTOR® or builder can then find your exact selections. (Most new neighborhoods have an architectural committee with records of the color every home)  Also, this way you can see what differences, if any, there are in lighting from the sunshine or a cloudy day.

        Save $$$ on your wallpaper.  Choose from the discontinued stock!  I was at a loan closing a few years ago and the buyer received a check for almost $1,100. from the builder as a credit to her wallpaper allowance.  I asked her, "didn't you have wallpaper hung in the kitchen and bath rooms?"  "Oh yes, she replied.  I selected my paper from what was going to be discontinued.  It was normally $32.50 per roll, I only paid $3.25 per roll."   Wow!!

        "Simply Selling Real Estate"

   Tod Trimmer REALTORS®, Inc.
   (919) 845-3040 or toll free (888) 755-3040