What is the best advice you could offer others thinking about buying a new home?

Don't rush into it, no matter how much you fall in love with the layout. Do your homework,research the builder,visit their communities and talk with home owners before you commit.

Learn some common construction shortcuts and defects, so as you view builders' homes under construction you can tell at a glance who's building shoddy homes, and avoid that builder. Two sites that are repeatedly mentioned by homeowners who've had to FIX these shortcuts in new homes are jlconline.com and buildingscience.com

Researching builders should be done thoroughly, and there is too much inadequate, canned consumer out there that implies that it's easy and quick. Many complaints about builders aren't even public information, not even at BBB's or state agencies where you think it would be divulged. It isn't always public. Also, many complaints are never filed anywhere now due to arbitration clauses that keep dispute resolution private and may even "gag" homeowners from talking about the experience.

C. Schnackel
National Secretary
Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings hadd.com

Talk to people in the community who have bought homes. Ask them how the after sales service is. Visit previous sites and try to talk to others who have dealt with the same builder.

If you live in Ontario:
1. assume realistically that-
a. most builders will con you if they can
b. Tarion is heavily biased in favor of the builder
c. your own lawyer is often less than professional
2. before signing with a builder:
a. hire an architect as a professional advisor
b. hire a commercial-law and litigation lawyer with a multi-lawyer firm
c. document specific items that you want in the home that will become part of the contract with the builder
d. have a friend accompany you in visits to the lawyer and builder
e. ask your friend to document the conversations with lawyer and builder
f. decide what evidence you will eventually need in a dispute
g. have a plan to accumulate said evidence - documents, photographs (date imprinted) and to maintain chronological notes
h. be mentally prepared for evasiveness by the builder and eventual dispute

The preceding is reality, not negativity.

Jerry

The best advice I can give as the owner of a newly built home is to:

1) Get a real estate agent, a buyers agent who is very familiar with local codes and new construction.

In the Hartford / Vernon area Stephanie Wagner at Prudential in Vernon has thirty years experience and is very familiar with NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION. She will visit the homesite as it is being built with an extensive checklist and eye for DETAIL!

2) Have an attorney review all paperwork.

3) document in writing ALL details of any changes and what party is responsible in paying for labor and parts.

4)spend fifty dollars and do a background check on the builder for lawsuits. If you have any doubt, move on to another home!