For those who've built...pros/cons... (foundation, kitchens, cabinets, cost)
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Hi folks! We've renewed our interest in moving to Charlotte... One of the early debates we are entertaining ourselves with is the "build versus pre-owned". We've never built before, and are just wondering, at a basic level, how people have found the experience. The prospect of making all the decisions and witnessing the progress is both exciting and intimidating. Thoughts? Thanks...
If you want to build you may never be totally satisfied with a resale. There are some very nice resales in the area but we're also blessed with quality builders. The key is to get an agent who will research for you, help you choose a reputable builder in an area that suits your needs. The agent will go to contract with you to negotiate concessions (like price, closing costs, upgrades, etc.) and look over the contract agreement BEFORE signing. The agent should stay in touch with you and with the builder throughout the process to troubleshoot problems (and problems will arise, they always do). Issues arise even with the best builders. The key is being able to work them out diplomatically.
I've had out of town clients in the past that wanted me to go to the building site at certain stages of construction and take pictures that I e-mailed to them so that they could track the progress and put together a scrapbook of their first home. It can be a pretty exciting timel.
One thing to consider with building is the lot and the trees/size of the lot etc. It is hard to find new subdivisions that have kept a lot of mature trees so you will be waiting many years for that if you like trees. Also, if you build you are getting a brand new house (plus) but are living in a construction zone for a while to come depending on how long it takes them to build out the subdivision (minus). There are pros and cons to both sides. I have friends that have built and are very happy and love their new houses and ones that have built and the builders had to buy the houses back and they had to move again becasue there were so many problmes wiht them (like kitchens falling in, foundation probems, etc) 6 mo down the road - and these were with good builders and high end homes - like MI and Orleans. Its a risk on who they hire out to actually build the home.
One thing to consider with building is the lot and the trees/size of the lot etc. It is hard to find new subdivisions that have kept a lot of mature trees so you will be waiting many years for that if you like trees. Also, if you build you are getting a brand new house (plus) but are living in a construction zone for a while to come depending on how long it takes them to build out the subdivision (minus). There are pros and cons to both sides. I have friends that have built and are very happy and love their new houses and ones that have built and the builders had to buy the houses back and they had to move again becasue there were so many problmes wiht them (like kitchens falling in, foundation probems, etc) 6 mo down the road - and these were with good builders and high end homes - like MI and Orleans. Its a risk on who they hire out to actually build the home.
Or end up with a contractor who was a liar, thief and did not pay his subs, 5 days after we closed on the house ( with some things not finished)he took his own life. Thank god for Title Insurance because to date, we have five liens on the house with more comming!
We built a house from scratch when we moved here. Have to say the experience was terrific. Watching all the details was exciting and our builder was nothig short of FANTASTIC! Hope you have the same results. Where were you thinking of building?
Or end up with a contractor who was a liar, thief and did not pay his subs, 5 days after we closed on the house ( with some things not finished)he took his own life. Thank god for Title Insurance because to date, we have five liens on the house with more comming!
OMIG-D!!!!!!! I am so sorry - what a way to start in a new location!
Hi folks! We've renewed our interest in moving to Charlotte... One of the early debates we are entertaining ourselves with is the "build versus pre-owned". We've never built before, and are just wondering, at a basic level, how people have found the experience. The prospect of making all the decisions and witnessing the progress is both exciting and intimidating. Thoughts? Thanks...
Darryl
We rented until we decided that we needed more space and our situation changed. We then built - that was a few years ago. I acted as sub-contractor to an extent; my ex and I are tall and therefore wanted taller counters, etc and wanted cabinets screwed into the studs rather than nailed in - things like that. The contractor was gung-ho ubtil the remaining weeks. less enthusiasm? We built on a cost +10% basis (I came in below budget on my subs ) , we didn't part on very good terms......
we had ours custom built... Mid-Atlantic did it. Nice work for the money... I did not enjoy dealing with their agent though, there were alot of mistakes made, although they did correct them.
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Building v Buying Resale
I am so sorry - what a way to start in a new location!
) , we didn't part on very good terms......
