10 Essential Considerations Before Buying a New Construction Home

Buying a new construction home can be an exciting opportunity, but it's important to do your due diligence to ensure that you're making a smart investment. From researching the builder to understanding the floor plan, taking these 10 steps can help you make an informed decision and find the perfect new home for you and your family.

10 Essential Considerations Before Buying a New Construction Home

If you're in the market for a new construction house or condo, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure that your new home will meet your family's needs. While buying a newly built home can provide some exciting options that may not be available to you when purchasing an existing home, it also creates additional challenges. One of these is making sure that your builder is reputable, the community is sound, and your home will be ready when you are. In this article, we'll take a look at 10 things you should do before buying a new construction home.

First, use a real estate agent if you can. Since the seller typically pays the commission, it costs you nothing to be represented by a real estate agent, and many builders are happy to work with agents. An agent who regularly deals with builders and knows the local communities will provide lots of helpful information.

Second, check out the builder. Many home builders have been in the business for years and produce a quality product. However, a few do not. Check review sites, state licensing boards and the local court records to see whether the builder you're considering has run into any trouble, including lawsuits, complaints with licensing agencies and disciplinary actions by state and local agencies. This is also a good time to talk to previous customers.

Third, research the community. Before you buy, find out as much as you can both about the area and the subdivision or condo itself. Visit at different times of day, and talk to residents about what they do and don't like.

Fourth, choose square footage and location over upgrades. Think about how you want to spend your limited budget. You can never change your home's location, for example, but you can upgrade flooring later. Apply that logic to other choices as well. If you're choosing between a fourth bedroom and granite countertops, you probably should choose the extra bedroom, which is much more expensive to add later.

Fifth, don't over-improve. Choose a home size and options comparable to those of your neighbors. You want to keep up with the Joneses but not get too far ahead of them. You don't want to price yourself out of the neighborhood with things that no one else has, but you also don't want to be the only house on the block with linoleum if everyone else has gone hardwood.

Sixth, understand your floor plan. Most floor plans include room sizes, and if you don't understand those, take a measuring tape to your current home. Many builders offer virtual reality technology that lets you see what's going to be built, but a better option is to visit a home with the floor plan you want, even if it's still under construction or in a different community.

Seventh, have a lawyer vet the contracts. Contracts for new construction are complex. As with all legal affairs, it makes sense to have an expert look them over before your sign.

Eighth, ask about warranties. Most builders offer warranties on materials and workmanship. Make sure you understand what is and isn't covered and what process you need to follow to get something fixed.

Ninth, get a home inspection. You may think you don't need to have a newly built home inspected. But getting an independent inspection before closing is always a good idea, and you want to be there so you can learn more about the home. Newer homes can have just as many problems as older homes, and it's always better to know what you don't know before the last piece of paper is signed.

Finally, when looking to buy a new construction home in Las Vegas, it's important to not only evaluate the specific property and the builder but also to consider the community as a whole. One way to do this is by visiting the community and talking to neighbors. This will provide you with valuable insights into the neighborhood and help you determine if it's the right fit for you and your family.

When visiting the community, take note of the overall look and feel of the neighborhood. Are the homes well-maintained? Is there a sense of pride in the community? Are there amenities that are important to you, such as parks, community centers, or schools, nearby? It's also a good idea to visit at different times of the day and on different days of the week to get a sense of the activity level and noise levels.

Talking to neighbors can also be very helpful. They can provide you with information about the builder, the quality of construction, and any issues that they may have experienced. They can also give you an idea of what it's like to live in the neighborhood and what the community is like. For example, they may be able to tell you about local events, schools, or restaurants that they enjoy.

In Las Vegas, there are many different types of communities to choose from, such as master-planned communities, gated communities, and age-restricted communities. Each of these has its own unique features and benefits, so it's important to do your research and visit a few different types of communities to determine which one is the best fit for you.

In conclusion, visiting the community and talking to neighbors can provide you with valuable insights into the neighborhood and help you make an informed decision when buying a new construction home in Las Vegas.