[Agent Jones]

Just wanted to get some tips from people that has done this in the past. This is my second home purchase however the first one was a spec home (new but already built). Anyone have tips or things i need to keep in mind during the build process. I have never done this so any pointers from someone who has been through this is greatly appreciated. Oh, the builder is Michael Sivage and will start building around beginning of August. Buidling outside of 1604 near between braun and galm road.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

[Wiked]

Keep in mind that the time line WILL change.
Know what you want to be where, before the sheetrock goes on... (light switches, outlets, etc.)
Paints you can change any time.
Visit the site regularly, and not just on Fridays at 5 pm...
Make large decisions that involve the workers with them present... thats a bigger problem when architects are involved, but you might have some of that.
There are lots of fun things that are going to happen. Good luck, and remember what I told you.


PS Go introduce your self to the guys working on your site, they will do a better job if they feel appreciated and not just there to do the work. It honestly works, but not all construction people are nice...

People to be friends with: Framers, Painters, Plumbers, Electricians, and Roofers. because you want to know that the house will stay up, and the rest of them you WILL eventually need them to come back and do repairs... so they might give you a discount and do it as a side job if they remember you.

[Agent Jones]

cool thanks. i know the time frame will change, i have no problem with that. i will either be in a month to month apartment or living with my parents while house is builiding. probalby a combination of the two. since its a production build all the major decisions are made at the deisgn center which i visit next week. i am having a lot of things done after close, like the covered patio, spindles on stairs, kitchen island, tile in the kitchen, granite on countertops, st augustine or zoysia grass in front yard, etc...

[tulabeast]

Originally Posted by Agent Jones

Just wanted to get some tips from people that has done this in the past. This is my second home purchase however the first one was a spec home (new but already built). Anyone have tips or things i need to keep in mind during the build process. I have never done this so any pointers from someone who has been through this is greatly appreciated. Oh, the builder is Michael Sivage and will start building around beginning of August. Buidling outside of 1604 near between braun and galm road.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

if you dont mind me asking how much is all this gonna cost you. i would love to build a house one day but for know i just rent. how does that work do you put a big down payment or what.

[Agent Jones]

Originally Posted by tulabeast

if you dont mind me asking how much is all this gonna cost you. i would love to build a house one day but for know i just rent. how does that work do you put a big down payment or what.

well right now since the market sucks fior sellers you can get in with 0 down. alot of buliders right now give you the first 10-20k of the cost which is enough to cover your closing cost (normally 2-5k), down payment (normally 3%)....I getting a home built for 150k and putting about 11k in options but i am putting down 8k that i had in equity off of the home i just sold. and the builder is giving 8k. So i am fiancing 145k.


how much are you paying to rent? might be a good time to buy right now. its a buyer maket right now. You can get a 130k home for 1100 a month right now and that includes, mortgage, taxes, home insurance, mortgage insuranse all in one monthly payment. i have seen other brand new homes starting in the 90s and 100s in nice neighboorhoods. those homes will probably cost about 800-900 a month.

[thesource]

On average a home will cost anywhere from $65-$140 a square foot depending on what materials are being used and how "custom" you go with it . Right now is definately a buyers market as long as you have good credit and have a decent down payment .

[SCobraVT99]

pay close attention at the design studio. Some design studio's will bend you over. You may say "ill just finance it and get it done with", but pick and choose what you have them do. If you are doing a patio or something like that, usually cheaper to do it afterwards...same thing with all of your fixtures, door nobs, countertops, ect...garage door openers, systems, everything is cheaper after the fact...do your research on what you would pay now, vs later...cheaper mortgage, could get a better deal after the fact, and you can decide how much you REALLY have to have that certain thing

[Agent Jones]

Originally Posted by Agent Jones

cool thanks. i know the time frame will change, i have no problem with that. i will either be in a month to month apartment or living with my parents while house is builiding. probalby a combination of the two. since its a production build all the major decisions are made at the deisgn center which i visit next week. i am having a lot of things done after close, like the covered patio, spindles on stairs, kitchen island, tile in the kitchen, granite on countertops, st augustine or zoysia grass in front yard, etc...

thanks for the info ScobraVT but thats what im going to do..eveythign that i will have done by the design studtio will be mostly paid out of pocket and by the builders incentive

[SCobraVT99]

use only the builders incentive, your out of pocket stuff can be done by someone OTHER THAN THE BUILDER, usually less expensive...i just did all of this...try it and see, go even look at home depot or lowes, and use your own labor time instead of someone elses and having to pay them for it

[Agent Jones]

Originally Posted by SCobraVT99

use only the builders incentive, your out of pocket stuff can be done by someone OTHER THAN THE BUILDER, usually less expensive...i just did all of this...try it and see, go even look at home depot or lowes, and use your own labor time instead of someone elses and having to pay them for it

well what im paying out of pocket its too expensive or not worth the time to have done later....a 3 foot extension on the house, a 2 foot extention on the garage, radiant barrier, sprinker system, upgraded carpet (too expensive to have regular carpet taken up and new one placed down afterwords), 2" wood blinds (same price if not cheaper than lowes/home depot) etc stuff like this is what im paying out of pocket. cheaper or can only be done during the build. plus everything i get done with the builder i get the 2 year "bumper to bumper" warranty.....but thanks for the info

[SCobraVT99]

bought blinds cheaper by more than 22% at lowes for my house..

[Sven]

Id recommend that you hire an Inspector that does Phase Inspections.

He'll make sure everything is being done correctly and that your builder (or more likely his crew) is not cutting corners on you. Having someone on YOUR side that knows where to look and what to look for can save you some major headaches in the future.

[BigJnSA]

ive bought all of our wood blinds through jc penny. in their weekley ads, they usually have like 60-75% custom blind orders. ive bought seveal sets of nearly $400 blinds for about $100.

if your appliances are not included, check out appliancesmart.

[Agent Jones]

the 2" REAL wood blinds are gonna cost $550 installed for the 17 windows i think it has. lowes wanted over 900 for just the simliar blinds plus install

[Agent Jones]

Originally Posted by Sven

Id recommend that you hire an Inspector that does Phase Inspections.

He'll make sure everything is being done correctly and that your builder (or more likely his crew) is not cutting corners on you. Having someone on YOUR side that knows where to look and what to look for can save you some major headaches in the future.

thanks! you got one you can recommend? about how much do they normally run? the house has the best warranty i have seen in the production home building market. i know custom homes problem have better warranties. its 2 years "door to door", 7 years on plumbing and electrical, and 10 years on all structual and foundation problems. but it would be nice to spot problem before the build is over

[JENA]

Originally Posted by Agent Jones

the 2" REAL wood blinds are gonna cost $550 installed for the 17 windows i think it has. lowes wanted over 900 for just the simliar blinds plus install

what about the plantation blinds? If I was going to build a home I would add those in, very clean look and good use.

[Agent Jones]

plantation blinds??? sorry not familar with those...i probably have seen them just dont know them by name

[FIRSTMOM]

If you only have the money to upgrade smaller things, upgrade the carpet PAD, you can make even cheap carpet feel better and last longer than if you go with regular pad. Also if you are making color choices take them outside as well as look at them inside, you will be amazed at the difference sometimes.

good luck!

ps: if you have the option and have a large walk-in closet in the master, put your washer and dryer in there......we did and it was the greatest thing!!!! But they will have to plumb and put in a drain.

[Agent Jones]

Originally Posted by FIRSTMOM

If you only have the money to upgrade smaller things, upgrade the carpet PAD, you can make even cheap carpet feel better and last longer than if you go with regular pad. Also if you are making color choices take them outside as well as look at them inside, you will be amazed at the difference sometimes.

good luck!

ps: if you have the option and have a large walk-in closet in the master, put your washer and dryer in there......we did and it was the greatest thing!!!! But they will have to plumb and put in a drain.

Thank You for the info! i will be upgrading to shag carpet and upgrading the pad as well. i didnt think about taking the colors outside, and i will try that! its has a large walkin closet but no option for washer/dyer up there

[TrueBlueVenom]

agreed on the carpet pad, phase inspections. go with faux wood blinds - lot cheaper than real wood (truthfully, once they are up, you will almost forget about them. get at least 2" blinds - you get a better view with them turned open).

you'll be getting tax breaks (on your mortgage interest, etc) so between that and having your own home, it more than beats renting. be sure to apply for the Texas Homestead exemption (saves on taxes and somewhat protects you from getting kicked out of your home. also, find out about the HOA in your area. my last house, the HOA was lax (both good and bad); the current ones - pure Nazis.

also, pick a lot that will have a relatively level driveway; nothing tougher than a steep driveway and a Mustang