Choosing a Builder

The first thing when building a new home is choosing your builder. Check out the area and find homes that appeal to you. Don't be afraid to stop at existing homes and ask who the builder was. Ask if there were any major problems during the building process or problems with the home after they moved in. How did the builder work to resolve any problems?

Check out the builder through the BBB. If the builder is not a member, don't let that discourage you. Many reputable builders are not members of the BBB. See what associations the builder IS a member of. Most reputable builders are members of their local home building associations and many are members of the National Association of Home Builders. Many states now require home builders to be licensed.

See how long a builder has been in business. Is the builder established in your area? You can easily tour model homes and collect information about the builder. When touring a model home make sure you look past the decoration and really look at the home's elements. Many good builders' model homes will be sparse on decoration so that the homes amenities show well.

Remember, this will probably be the largest purchase you will ever make, so do your homework. Also, the average building time for a semi-custom built house is 5-6 months so that you will form an intimate working relationship with your builder and staff. Be sure these are folks you are willing and able to spend much time with.

You can take most of these steps without the aid of an agent but we will talk about Real Estate Agents in another post. Do not commit to an agent or visit a builder's model home until you know the ramifications of the various types of agents.