…Maybe. Although sales have been up for several months now, there are still lots of used homes for sale in every Florida town. Many have been on the market for a very long time, others have been neglected and picked over, but you can still get a bargain if you are willing to do some serious research, get a home inspection, make all the repairs and wait a long time to move in, especially if your bargain dream home happens to be owned by a lender.
Building new may be a better answer. Here’s why. You get exactly what you want and it’s never been lived in. Thanks to stricter building codes, a new home is more energy-efficient and you’ll get the peace of mind a new home warranty will bring. In today’s environment, chances are it will cost you about the same as a used home, except it will have all the latest appliances, color schemes and well designed living spaces that make sense for the 21st century.
Three tips if you choose to build new.
1. Choose Wisely: It’s critical to choose a builder with a long, solid reputation for quality construction and “bend-over-backwards” customer service, and I don’t mean lip service and advertisements. Go with someone you trust and who communicates regularly. It’ll make all the difference in the world in terms of how much you enjoy the experience.
2. Understand the Process: When you plan to move is certainly a factor but most Florida builders can build a new 2,000 sq ft home within four months or so, as long as you choose your colors and materials in a timely fashion. Make sure you get a time line from the builder and understand the important milestones along the way. If you need to be in by a certain date, make it part of your contract.
3. Insist on Clarity: Take your time and be clear about what is important to you. Ask LOTS of questions and be thorough. Make sure all the answers and any promises made are put in writing. This will go a long way to ensure that you have a smooth, hassle-free experience and best of all…. NO SURPRISES.
Building a brand new home customized especially for you, can and should be, a joyful experience. After all, your home is where you live, where you work, play, dream and make memories…. and that makes it a very important part of your life. Why shouldn’t you have it just the way you want it?
Got a question about building your new home in Florida? We’ve been at it for 30 years and have lots of experience we’re happy to share. All you have to do is ask.
1. Choose Wisely: It’s critical to choose a builder with a long, solid reputation for quality construction and “bend-over-backwards” customer service, and I don’t mean lip service and advertisements. Go with someone you trust and who communicates regularly. It’ll make all the difference in the world in terms of how much you enjoy the experience.
