How to Choose the Right Home Builder

Few decisions are as important as buying a new home. This is why you should exercise the utmost caution when choosing a home builder. Of course, you'll want to choose a trustworthy builder with an established reputation, and the know how to construct a quality home. Your home is a big investment, both financially and emotionally, so you want to make sure to hire someone that will do the job right.

So, how do you go about choosing the right builder? There are several factors that you should evaluate before deciding on a builder. Here are some things to think about in making your choice:

First, you will want to make sure that the builder you choose has a solid reputation and excellent references. Choosing a home builder is a huge decision, so randomly picking someone from the phone book is not an option. After all, just because a builder is licensed and bonded does not mean the quality of their work can be trusted. Instead, look to family, friends, or coworkers for a reference. If you can't get a personal reference, go with a builder that has a good reputation in your community.

Once you've identified one or more possible home builders, prepare a short list of questions to ask when you call. Some things can be researched online, depending on the size of the company. Things you'll want to know are how long the company's been in business, what type of industry experience it possesses, and whether the company is a full-time professional constructor or only a part-time builder. Finally, make sure to check that the company meets all licensing and bonding requirements in your area, and check with the local branch of the Better Business Bureau to find out of there are any complaints against the builder by former clients.

When you're interviewing the builder and researching their expertise, you'll also want to find out their area of specialization. How much time does the builder devote to residential construction? What types of custom homes do they build? You'll want to make sure the builder's expertise matches the vision that you have for your new home.

Lastly, you'll want to know what type of warranty or post-sale services are provided by the builder. While you might imagine that you won't experience problems with your new home that necessitate the use of a warranty, sadly this isn't always the case. Things can and do go wrong with new homes. Of course, choosing a builder carefully will minimize the risk of problems, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Remember that a builder that offers an excellent warranty and after-sale service is a builder that is confident in the quality of its work. This is just another indicator of the quality of the builder you choose.

Take the time to do your homework when it comes to choosing a home builder. This extra time and effort will pay off in the long run, and you'll have a home that you can be proud to own to show for it.

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Article contributed by Luke_Lansing.

New Homes in Florida

New homes in Florida are those homes that have just recently been built either by a private contractor or by a large corporation as part of a wide-ranging set of new homes. These homes have never been lived in by another family or other type of resident. They are fully equipped with all the necessary add-ons you will need. Florida enjoys a booming real estate market as people flock to the state for recreation, picturesque cityscapes and fine weather. Florida is an ideal locale for a new home.

Florida offers a wide range of choices for dwelling, renting, investing, or even retirement requirements. Florida has a line of New Home communities that allow the choice of condos, villas or single family homes. Many people dream of living on the beach, and some dreams come true with the purchase of some of Florida's beach homes. Luxury homes are also available in Florida with the prices ranging from $2 to $7 million approximately.

Florida retirement communities have literally changed the definition of retirement. These are communities designed to cater to your retirement needs while you enjoy fun and recreation. The manufactured communities in Florida, with their theme parks, schools, shopping complexes, and all forms of recreation and leisure, are a very sought after option in the new homes market. These communities have a variety of home styles to offer. Some of the dealers in manufactured communities are Sherwood Fortes and Mid Florida Lakes Yacht club. Investment in Florida real estate is considered a sound move by many.

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Article contributed by Jimmy Sturo.

New Homes provides detailed information on New Homes, New Homes in Las Vegas, New Home in Colorado Springs, New Homes in Florida and more. New Homes is affiliated with Portable Metal Buildings.

State Tax Credit Spurs Uptick in New Home Sales

If you are considering a new home purchase in California, the following article will be music to your ears. There is a new state tax credit being offered to home buyers in California, which provides up to a $10,000 tax credit for California new home buyers. And so far...It's working! That is, there has been a considerable number of new home sales, and fewer cancellations of new home purchases, that can be directly attributed to this new incentive.

The following story covers greater detail, and was provided by Eve Mitchell. Eve covers real estate and personal finance for the Bay Area News Group. Reach her at 925-952-2690 or emitchell@bayareanewsgroup.com

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State legislation was introduced Wednesday that would make it possible for an additional 20,000 taxpayers to take advantage of a popular program that provides new-home buyers with a state income tax credit of up to $10,000.

Assembly Bill 765 calls for increasing the existing $100 million cap for the California new home tax credit program to $300 million.

The state tax credit is for california new homes purchased between March 1, 2009, and Feb. 28, 2010, or as long as program funding is available. Passage of the state budget in February first established the credit and the cap at $100 million, which is enough to provide 10,000 new home buyers with a $10,000 credit.

To date, 5,668 applications have been submitted for the program, resulting $54.9 million in credits being claimed. If AB 765 becomes law and funding for the program is increased to $300 million, it is estimated that about 30,000 taxpayers would benefit from the program.

"When we passed the tax credit in February, we were hoping it would work to stimulate the housing market," said Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, co-author of the legislation. "We had no idea it would be this successful. In just two months, more than half of the credits are gone."

The legislation would also make it possible for the credit to be reserved at the time a buyer executes a purchase agreement for a new home in California, whether it has already been constructed or needs to be built from the ground up, as opposed to waiting for escrow to close under the current program.

Layne Marceau, president of the Northern California division of Shea Homes, said the credit is working.

Sales of new homes are up and cancellations are down.

"In the next two months, we're going to start 60 homes and that is all attributable to the tax credit," he said.

First-time buyers who take the state credit can also apply for a federal income-tax credit worth up to $8,000 for first-time buyers, which are defined as not owning a home in the previous three years.

The federal credit applies to homes purchased between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, 2009.

STATE INCOME TAX CREDIT
The state home buyer tax credit is for new homes in California. It is not restricted to first-time home buyers. The credit is equal to five percent of the home's purchase price, up to a maximum of $10,000. Most buyers qualify for the maximum $10,000 credit, since most new home purchases in California are $200,000 or higher. The credit is paid out to qualified home buyers over a period of three years. For more information, go to www.ftb.ca.gov or call 1-888-792-4900, press 5.