Buying New Construction

But I really want a new house!! Lets talk about the difference between a new home and a "Pre Loved" home. New is great--new everything, roof, heating unit, etc. Pre Loved can have some problems depending on the date it was built. New has much going for it but lets talk about the things people don't think about in a new home. There has to be additional money for window coverings (sheets are ok for the first 6 months but we really can't keep them up forever), landscaping (builders packages and covenants only have a limited amount of landscaping that must be done prior to the sale--limited to about 1 tree and 3 shrubs--ha ha--and you may notice out the window that the neighborhood is lacking in those being big trees), furniture (this home is bigger than the tiny apartment you just left) and misc other things that come up. This is a trade off with a pre loved home in that you may need to redo the roof in time and you may need to get a new furnace or paint or redo a kitchen or bath or update some light fixtures, but you will get more home for the money with a pre loved home. When you purchase new construction, you can get it in many stages of the construction process--before you close it you will do what is called a punch list--you will go through with the builder or their representative and make a list for them to fix, touch up, redo, or finish. You will then go back the day before the closing to make sure they have completed the list. If it is not done, you will need to make adjustments at closing on the hold backs and know for sure what will happen if it doesn't get done. Most builders need to have satisfied customers because they own another lot or two in the neighborhood and need to be able to sell that too. Beware of liens on new construction--it is the latest problem to know about out there--