Rather than buying a home that was previously occupied, you have decided to find a builder and have one built just for you and your family and to your specifications. In many cases building your home is within the same price range as being a previously occupied home.
When you build your own home with a builder there are a few things you need to take into consideration before you start. For example, Do you just use a builder layout and style or do you plan on making changes to this plan? If you do plan on making changes, keep in mind that this might add to the building cost of the home. Making these kinds of changes would mean you are moving from a builder speck home type of arrangement to the custom built type and many times that will add time, labor, and building material cost to building your dream home. An example of making changes to the builders plans is upgrading some of the features compared to the features a builder is offering in their speck homes. Things like kitchen, flooring, countertops, bathroom, windows, and bathrooms. Anytime you make changes to builder’s speck home plans, whether inside or out, there will be a higher cost to building the home.
One of the things you should consider is having a home inspection before you close the transaction with the builder. Many times they offer a final walk through before the closing with their contractors but it is always better for you to hire your own contractor and let them take a look at the home through a new set of eyes.
Yes, it is a new build home but sometimes your inspector finds things that should be fixed prior to you going to the closing table. One of my last inspectors found a board that was not nailed in the finished attic by stepping through the floor as he stepped on the section of the attic to inspect it. He did not fall but now the builder has to fix the issue.
When you have any question about working with builders, feel free to contact the Settles Team.
Many of us are still working through the aftermath of a short sale, foreclosure, or some other financially devastating event. Rather than buying another house you need to rent till you get back on your feet.
When you have found the right person to room with, and the perfect home or apartment to make it work, you two still would have to pass the prying eyes of the landlord and get past the rental application process. When the application and screening process is completed and both of you have signed the lease agreement with the landlord, have you discussed or considered having a roommate agreement in writing between the two of you?
You are all exited and ready to move in and move on from your current place, stretching your wings for the first time. Being so excited to get out of the smaller apartment to a larger unit you might forget that you should keep several things in mind while you are signing the lease.
For starters do not advertise that you are going to be gone. In the time of social media most of us tend to announce that we are leaving. One thing you should consider doing before you are leaving is creating a 
Not knowing what they can afford in the beginning they begin looking at homes online that are priced higher than their financial ability and sooner or later they become disappointed when they discover they cannot have the home of their dreams. With so many homes now listed as a short sale and REO’s (bank owned), a pre- approval is a must to submit an offer.
How many times do you find yourself unable to follow through with commitments you made to others? This could apply to work or personal commitments. Every day I see good people who have great intentions but don’t follow thought with a commitment they made.
Some of them are looking for the connectivity and closeness of work, home and play. They can just keep the car parked and maybe either walk or take the bicycle to work. Others might just look for the entertainment and closeness to shopping and friends.