New home buyers don’t want to buy a used or “pre-owned” house after they’ve visited over a dozen or so “lived-in” shacks in the neighborhood. They don’t want to inherit someone else’s paint colors, personal tastes in kitchen and bathroom appliances or light fixtures or lack of hardwood or bamboo flooring. Their hearts are screaming inside for something brand spanking new! If you’re like me, you’ve looked online at your favorite real estate websites like Redfin.com or Trulia.com and have virtually entered over 100 houses or condos without leaving the comfort of your sofa. Heck! I even have both the apps on my Iphone and Ipad for easy viewing during that treadmill run at the gym. And if like me, you’ve hired an agent and actually gone around the neighborhood a few times and walked into these archaic tear-downs. Your money doesn’t go quite as far here in Clarendon as it may go in your home town neighborhood (unless you’re originally from New York City or San Francisco). You may encounter a temporary case of sticker shock. I say “temporary” because after a few weeks or months, you will get used to the $850,000 to $1,700,000 average cost of a single family home in our neighborhood.
If I’ve described you at all, this article is for you! Here, I will offer some tips on Buying New Construction from a Builder/Developer and also a list of some of the Top Builders in our neighborhood.
(Note: I will be writing an article on all new construction condos/townhomes in the near future).
Tips on Buying a New Construction House:
1. Hire your own Buyer’s Agent. A Builder’s agent is representing the Builder & may use experienced sales tactics to pressure you into signing a contract.
2. Shop around for your own Lender. A Builder’s Lender may not offer you the best deal. Your own bank or credit union may offer you a better mortgage.
3. Obtain legal advice with a qualified Real Estate Attorney. Real Estate Attorneys can be very helpful explaining a Standard Purchase Agreement as well as answering questions about certain contingencies and cancellation rights
4. Verify your Options and Upgrades Packaging and Pricing.
5. Hire a Licensed and Accredited Home Inspector. Even with brand new construction, this step is imperative to making sure there are no major or minor defects on your new property.
Home Builders in Arlington
Toll Brother’s Inc. is one of the top, well established luxury homebuilders with 45 years of experience. They have won three of the most coveted awards in the homebuilding industry: America’s Best Builder, National Builder of the year and National Housing Quality. They have also been chosen as the First Place Winner for Innovative Product Design in the Big Builder Apex Awards.
Miller & Smith is the third largest private builder in the entire Washington Metropolitan area. Over the last decade, they have won more Monument Awards than any other builder. They are known as the “dreamers, creators and innovators”. The competitive edge is the creation of new innovative and niche designs.
N.V. Homes was established in 1980 and take pride in offering additional architectural details and designer elements tailored to suit even the most unique and discriminating tastes. In 2011, they earned Energy Star’s Partner of the Year Award.
BCN Design Build seems to be everywhere I turn in Lyon Village. They have been around for a little more than a decade and have built some of the finest custom homes and additions in Arlington. They have been listed as one of Washington Business Journal’s 50 Fastest Growing Companies in the DC area for two years in a row.
Ryan Homes has been building exceptional, award-winning homes for the past 60 years. A large percentage of the homes Ryan Homes sales area direct result of customer referrals. Their success is based on customer service, award-winning designs, quality construction combined with affordable prices and unique communities in prime locations.
Stanley Martin offers a 9 step process that keeps the consumer involved. This has been one of the nation’s capitals finest builders since 1966 with over 10,000 family homes built in their Virginia and Maryland communities.
Pulte Homes has won more awards for customer satisfaction than any other home builder. They have been one of America’s largest homebuilders for over 50 years.
Van Metre Homes wins awards with their timeless beauty. Since 1955, they’ve been building trust for generations.
I’d also add that most new construction will offer some incentives if you’re buying from the builder an already constructed home (it will differ if you’re hiring them to build on a lot you already own). Find out if they’re willing to pay your closing costs, or various other incentives like warranties on the work and appliances.
You have a great list of builders in the area – I would also add Mickey Simpson (http://www.mickeysimpson.com/) who does a lot in Arlington. Go visit their homes to get a feel for their style.
Great post!
~Laura Schwartz, Keller Williams Realty
Thanks Laura!