Whenever I tour a new construction community with clients, there are a few key questions I always ask. These questions help my clients feel confident about the home they plan to purchase.
1. How many homes will be built in the community?
This gives buyers an idea of the neighborhood’s future size and what day to day living will look like once the community is complete. Will it be a small, intimate community or a large development with hundreds of homes?
2. What is the delivery date of the property?
Builders often work in phases, and timelines can shift. Knowing the delivery date helps my clients plan for when they’ll need to move out of their current home and transition smoothly.
3. What’s included and what’s an upgrade?
Model homes can look stunning, but many of the features on display aren’t always included in the base price. It’s important to know what comes standard and what counts as an option. I usually recommend clients budget an additional $10,000–$20,000 for upgrades they might want to add.
4. What incentives are available and are they tied to the builder’s lender?
Builders often offer closing cost assistance or design center credits, but these are sometimes conditional on using their preferred lender. While this can be convenient, those loans may come with higher fees than another lender. Comparing both options ensures my clients get the best deal.
What about you? If you were buying new construction, what’s a question you’d want answered before moving forward?
