"First-Hand Advice" Builders Offer Five Tips For Buyers

When it comes to home sales and construction, it is certainly the builder's responsibility to make sure the process goes smoothly.

However, there are many things that buyers can do to avoid potential problems as well.
In this new monthly column, we'll offer advice and suggestions from builders around the country. This month's featured building professionals are Lorna Palazzi, Director of Sales and Marketing for the New Jersey-based Kalian Companies, and Martha Fondren, Director of Marketing for Mississippi-based Reeves Williams Builders (a member of the Kalian Family of Companies).

Tip #1: Know your budget and pre-qualify with a lender.
Martha Fondren: "Determining your appropriate price range helps you know what kind of home you can reasonably expect, and helps the builder know what communities and models are best for you. Keep in mind: when buying a home, re-sale values and personal incomes tend to rise over time."

Tip #2: Consider what is most important to you and your family.
Lorna Palazzi: "When shopping for a home, it's easy to fall in love with certain aspects of a model while losing track of what's really important. That elegant dining room might be lovely, but if you're a young couple, extra bedrooms and a big back yard might be more useful in the long run!

Make a priority list of things that are 'must-have' versus 'nice to have' versus 'not important.' Write it all down and use this as a basis for comparison."

Tip #3: Do your homework. Surf the web and come in educated.
MF: "Most builders have all of the information you need right on their web sites, and there are excellent sites like American Home Guides that can guide you to the type of home that suits your priorities. Today's sales representative understands that buyers are coming in better educated than ever before and can focus on the presentation of your individual home tour!

Tip #4: Consider quick-delivery homes and ask about incentives.
LP: "The purchase of an inventory or speculative home is a 'win-win' situation for everyone involved. In order to sell these homes, builders will sometimes offer incentives or savings packages, and buyers can obtain special incentives on homes they can move into relatively quickly."

Tip #5: Schedule appointments with your sales representative. One-on-one time is key and sales representatives will gladly accommodate you.
LP: "If you have the time, try to schedule an appointment with your sales representative. You can always visit without an appointment, although setting a meeting confirms your interest and seriousness about buying a home, and helps a representative better prepare materials, time and model tours that are appropriate for your lifestyle and needs.

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