Advice for subdivision build?

13 years ago

We are strongly considering buying a lot (1.3 acres) plus new construction in a new subdivision in the area. It's not a mass builder and the homes seem to be semi-custom if I understand the term correctly. We have already asked about the floorplan changes we would like and discussed them with the builder himself.

My realtor is coming out today to plan out putting this on the market and preparing the offer. How much negotiation can be done? Our current house was a spec and they wouldn't come down on price but added in some upgrades. This is a green builder/development with optional graywater and rainwater systems for $4k and $5k respectively. The house/land is $283k without changes (we are bumping up the bonus room walls plus HVAC etc and extending the rooms in the front of the house out a couple feet each). Would asking for the water systems as part of the offer be too much?

I read somewhere else not to upgrade the flooring. The standard flooring is hardwood (the thinner, laminate-style) in main areas, tile in bathrooms and carpet in the bedrooms. Would you do the smaller upgrade to change the carpet to the hardwood or do the whole house in tile? We had a major remodel due to a kitchen flood last year and would prefer all tile but I like the wood-look tile. That's a $8/sf upgrade which we don't want to spend when that type of tile is much cheaper at HD. We have 4 kids and 2 dogs so I'm really leery about the carpet. We have laminate downstairs and carpet upstairs now. Moving to all one story except for the bonus room.

I know I'll have more questions later! (I posted before about another lot, we didn't go with that one)

Here is a link that might be useful: floorplan

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Comments (4)

virgilcarter
13 years ago
In real estate, it seems, everything is negotiable. So make whatever initial offer seems reasonable and appropriate, and be prepared for negotiation.

Your realator should be able to give you a list of comps to use as guidance.

Good luck on your project.
battyjac
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks! My realtor is going out there tomorrow to get a feel for the standards, upgrades, wiggle room, etc. I'm sure I didn't help by practically drooling on the model and waxing ecstatic about various other things. Luckily my husband played bad cop (not really playing, it took two years to find a car he liked!).

It's all so much with selling the old house but I'm excited. DH, obviously, not so much. He's not anti, he's just slow to warm up to anything (we dated 7 years before we got married :) )
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trudymom
13 years ago
Since you are in a subdivision, make sure if there are Homeowner's Rules, that you have read them, and that you are ok with them--my neighborhood has very strict rules. If your builder has not built in that neighborhood yet, make sure he reads the rules too. And check to see if there is an HOA fee.
battyjac
Original Author
13 years ago
I checked that! I live in a very strict HOA now and didn't want an HOA at all so it took me forever to give these lots a chance. The HOA fee is $100/yr vs $58/mo I pay now. And the restrictions, including builder reqs and legalese were only 6 pages. The ones where I am now are a freaking book. This one is essentially: 3 sided masonry, over 2000 sf, green building, keep your yard maintained with no boats or trailers on the property. Sheds and such have to be approved but it's okay to have the rubbermaid ones. I'm using the "preferred" builder so he knows the rules.

Thanks, I wish someone had advised me stronger about living with an HOA before I bought this house. They seem to use a ruler for the grass height and every little thing has to be approved. We never got a shed because it has to have siding to match the house, etc.