Georgia New Homes Information Blog

Buying a home? If so, a prospective home buyer should know what to look for and be aware of many things in a real estate transaction; therfore, I want to focus specifically on three (3) potentially defective construction techniques, installations and materials in Georgia: polybutylene plumbing, synthetic stucco and a particular style of wood-resin siding. By their inherent nature and/or poor installations, these products and materials often result in expensive replacements or repairs. If you plan on using a buyer broker, see if this person has experience in such matters.

During the years between 1985 and 1995 (roughly), one of these products, if not all three of them, will mostly likely be found among homes built during this timeframe. Home buyers do not want to incur the cost, nor the future headaches, of replacing such products. Furthermore, the simple fact that a home may have these materials can create a stigma amongst future home buyers if you buy it -- which affects your resale potential. As a tip, don’t confuse hard coat stucco with synthetic stucco (EIFS); although, because they are closely related, hard coat stucco can still be stigmatized by home buyers, too.

It certainly would be beneficial -- and less time-consuming -- if a home buyer can identify these products before entering into a contract to purchase a home. While the findings of a home inspection may afford the home buyer a way out, you would still have lost the cost of an inspection -- and not to mention your time. A buyer broker with such experience should know what to look for and be able to help you in this area to avoid costly mistakes when buying a home.

Disclaimer: This real estate blog post is intended to be informational reading only, not legal advice. Each real estate transaction is unique unto itself, so this content may or may not apply. Hence, you may not copy, use and/or redistribute this real estate information about tips and/or ideas without prior expressed consent from the author. All Rights Reserved 

Stephen Graham - Associate Broker - Realty Professionals, Inc (770) 491.1494

When considering a new construction home, negotiating with a home builder is all but certain. How do you go about it? How do you assess market prices within the community? Among other things, these are just a couple of the questions to ponder.

It's important to establish that most new home transactions are different, so there aren't any hard and fast rules when negotiating with a home builder. Henceforth, I will only address working with existing new homes. If you are dealing with a spec home, which is also known as an inventory home, then there very well could be sales data that a licensed buyer agent would have access to; this data details how, and if, the home builder is negotiating with other home buyers -- and it is very valuable information if it's available. It will give you a sense of what you can or cannot expect in terms of real dollars. Once, and if, you armed with this data, then you can construct an offer that reflects how you need these savings, or funds, applied to your specific transaction; emphatically speaking, make sure the offer is conducive to your particular new home and situation, not a general one.

Making a bid based on price and financial terms is only part of the overall equation. A home buyer needs to be concerned with issues after an actual contract is in place. Are any of the incentives (closing costs paid by builder, free upgrades, etc...) tied to using certain service providers, like a certain preferred mortgage company or closing attorney (learn more)? What about home inspection contingencies? Financing contingencies? What person or entity will hold the earnest money (builder deposit)? What about the home warranty? What happens if the builder goes out of business? Who or what entity has control of the HOA (Home Owner's Association)?

As you can see, negotiating with a home builder is a very nuanced transaction that takes real world experience to extrapolate. By obtaining as much information and guidance as possible, you can buy a great new home while minimizing, if not eliminating, many landmines.

Disclaimer: This new homes and real estate blog post is intended to be informational reading only, not legal advice. Each real estate transaction is unique unto itself, so this content may or may not apply. Hence, you may not copy, use and/or redistribute this real estate information about new homes, home builders, tips and/or ideas without prior expressed consent from the author. All Rights Reserved 

Stephen Graham - Associate Broker - Realty Professionals, Inc (770) 491.1494