Buying from a Builder

Sometimes you just run across a well put together booklet of information such as RBC's "Home Financing Buying a Home: A Step-by-Step guide to buying a home".

In Chapter Thirteen they have the following great advice when buying from a builder:

Choosing a builder. To protect your investment and ensure that you get the home you want, do careful research, leg work and homework.  They suggest visiting a previously built home, a current work site, and GET REFERENCES (I cannot stress this one enough).

Questions to ask builders:

• Are you a member of the Canadian Home Builders' Association?
• How long have you been in business?  How long have they been in business in the town you want to build or purchase?
• What kind of warranty do you offer?  Who is it through?
• Will you provide me with references?
• Will you make alterations to the plan to suit my needs, and if so, at what cost?

The pamphlet goes on to suggest avoiding any builder unwilling to sign a contract with you.  They advise you not sign an Agreement of Purchase and Sale or any other legal document until you have a lawyer or notary first review it, and make sure you see the Occupancy and Final Inspection Reports from the local building department as these will show any deficiencies that need to be taken care of.  You should see these before signing off on your pre-delivery walk thru inspection.

While there are definitely many other things you should take under advisement before having a home built for you or before buying a new home built by a builder, these will certainly give everyone a great place to start. 




Happy House Hunting!