Buying a brand new home is a big decision and an important investment, and there is a lot to think about. You want to buy with confidence, enjoy the experience and know that you have made the best decision for you and your family. Typically the process of buying a brand new home takes place over time and in several stages. To begin with, you want to take some time deciding your priorities-what you want, where you want to live and how much you want to spend-and then exploring what's available. Once you have narrowed your choices down to one community, one builder and one home, you are ready to work out the details and sign a contract with your builder. While it is then time to step back and let the builder do the work, there is still much to do before you move in to your new home. Before you start looking get off to a great start by doing some pre-planning before you go house hunting. Discuss with everyone in your household what they want in your new home and surroundings. Make lists of what's important and divide them into must-haves and would-be-nice-to-haves. Also think about what you absolutely don't want to live with.
Things to ConsiderCommunityDistance to work, traffic, public transportation, schools and child care, places of worship, hospitals, libraries, distance to shops, green spaces, and recreational facilities.
Your HomeStyle, size, number of bedrooms, home office, entertainment room, other needs, layout (open or divided spaces, formal or informal), privacy needs, flexibility for changing use of space in the future, mobility restrictions, health considerations, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, outdoor spaces, special features ("I have always dreamed about..."), pre-wiring for automation, security systems, communication, entertainment, and business.
FinancingThe downpayment you have available, the monthly mortgage payment you are comfortable with, other obligations and financial need.
At this point, you can visit the list of our member builders (see Members Page). Check ads in your newspaper to get a sense of what builders are offering. Talk to family, friends or co-workers who have recently bought a new home. Browse the Internet for information about builders, homes, communities, products and financing, as well as home buying advice. Talk with your lender and get mortgage pre-approval so you know the price range you should be looking at. Attend a home show to look at the latest in features and finishings.
Now you are ready to see what's available. As you drive around visiting builders' model homes, sales centres and offices, it's a good idea to take notes. That way, it is much easier to make clear comparisons later. The key to successful home hunting is to take your time. Don't rush. Take a thorough look at everything and ask questions-lots of them. The builder or salesperson should be ready and pleased to answer each question. Sales centres will often have a complete information package on the homes, the development and the community, including schools and other facilities. Keep in mind that a builder's model home is usually just one of several designs offered by the company - a starting point.
Title to the home is transferred to you from the builder, the outstanding payment balance is transferred from your financial institution to the builder, and you get the keys to your new home. This is done through lawyers who register everything with the appropriate authorities. Before the end of your first year in the house, the builder will touch up any small imperfections that may have emerged due to the house settling and materials drying out, such as nail pops or small drywall cracks (completely normal in any new home). But you don't have to wait if you have questions, concerns or problems. All professional builders have an after-sales service system in place. Many have dedicated service staff. For more information and a list of our professional new home builders, see our Members Page.
