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We're nowhere near this point yet, but DH and I would like to build a house eventually.
What scares me about building isn't the work involved (it's a LOT of work); it's the fact that so many new builds are complete and utter pieces of crap where the contractors/builders take shortcuts to lower the house price. It results in drafty homes, leaks, water damage, mold, poor air quality, electrical problems, fire hazards, weak foundations, higher monthly bills, shorter lived homes, ugly facades, you name it.
I would be EXTREMELY careful about choosing the people you work with. Make sure you do your research on EVERY step of the process, and don't trust a chain until you're convinced they'll build you a good home. A quick google search reveals at least one website devoted to Ryan Homes Nightmare stories, so...
Yeah you are so right! And I am really nervous about that loll! I've read the site from top to bottom but I do want to hear the plus side as well. That blog seemed a bit on the extreme side. Thanks though!
I really think you have to go on word of mouth referrals for a builder and also make sure the builder is licenced with a reputable accreditation.
We built our own house. It took 4 - 5 months. It was a lot of work and a bit of stress. Simply because we were doing it on a budget and its sometimes very hard to visualise things. We are in now and sooo glad that we did. Its all in colours etc we like fittings and all that too. Also we got a builder that has decent insurance and it has a lifetime warranty on the house. Meaning... if its structurally goes to crap. They come in and fix and do whatever, they are obligated.
But its just best to research. We worked out it was cheaper for us to buy a block and build than it was to buy an established house (same price range would get us a 10 year old house, that I would have to renovate) That was our deciding factor in pushing us to build.
We built our home as well. You are still going to deal with the stress of banks and loans, so you are not out of the woods there. I'll be honest and say I'm not a fan of national known builders like Ryans, MI, Dominion all for the reasons a pp stated. I've seen these homes, have friends who have them and they do not stand well over time. We went with a smaller, custom builder and I feel you are less likely to get a cookie cutter home that way. We've been in our home over 2 years and never had to use our warranty to have anything fixed. But we were also willing to be patient, home building should take time and not be rushed and spend for quality things like flooring etc. Think long term too. Do you ever plan to resell? The problem I have with developments is I can find 3 just like it in the same neighborgood so why would I buy yours? Resale value in these terms is not good in my area. Do your research.
That is very true! We would resell if we absolutely had to but I would prefer if we turned it into a rental unit when we were ready to move to something bigger. Thanks for all your advice ladies. We will definitely take our time!
I think that alot of it depends on your area. I agree that I am not a fan of national companies, unless you or your FH has alot of building knowledge, I don't think that their work is all that great. My DH used to work for one of those companies, so we have some background with them.
If you have the time, go and meet with some local builders and find out how much you are looking at for what you want out of a house. In areas that have alot of inventory on the market, you may be better off buying something on the market and redoing it to meet your needs. Here, there is not alot of inventory and prices really haven't dropped that much compared to the coastal areas, so building for us is going to end up less expensive.
Home Depot and Lowes both carry building programs that you can buy for your computer that you can design your home and put in your area and will give you approx. prices for building that home. From our research in our area, the prices are fairly close.
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FI and I have been in the market for 10 months. We've looked at over 50 resale homes forclosures, short sales, regular sales you name it we have looked at it. We have written and lost over 8 contracts....needless to say I am BURNT out. So we recently came to the idea of building a new townhouse. In our area there are MILLIONS of new construction lots and it is a fairly new up and coming area so 80% of the neighborhoods are cookie cutter like homes. Do you think we are being too impatient, should we keep looking? IDK I just love the idea of having a delivery date and not having to deal with banks not approving your offer or waiting 90 days to hear back...gawsh I mean these short sales and banks have really made our house search ridiculous. We wanted to be in a house by July 2011 and here we are still at Square 1. It just really sucks and I want something solid!
The builders we are looking at are RYAN homes. I know they build all over the country so I'm wondering if anyone here has any experiences with them good or bad? Would you suggest them? What other builders would you suggest? There are SO many builders throwing up subdivisions here I could probably find one of each lol! Any help would be great!