Things to consider when building

Do you know what comes standard and what items are considered an extra cost when building a new home with a production builder? When production builders build a model home in a neighborhood they often times make it very appealing and put a lot of the extra items that they offer into the home. They are, in a sense, giving the home a WOW effect with upgraded flooring, cabinets, fixtures, vaulted ceilings and other such items. The best advice I can tell you to do before building is to make a list of everything you would like to have in a house before going to the final selection appointment, visit the model home and make a list of everything that you like in the home that way you can ask the builder representative at the final selection appointment if certain items are considered an extra cost or if it comes standard with the house. If you are thinking of adding structural items such as a third car garage or possibly a basement, in my opinion, you are better off adding those items now and forgoing some of the upgrades (i.e. fixtures, flooring, etc.) the builder offers. Remember, you can always change flooring, but it is extremely difficult and costly to add structural items once a house is complete. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me. Remember to check next month; I will be posting questions and answers from an interview with Linda Hogan and Mike Trotta, President and General Manager of Sentry Homes.