Published May 25, 2023

Buying a New Construction Home in Des Moines: Everything That to know

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Written by Ryan Rohlf

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One of the largest investments you will ever make in Des Moines is purchasing a brand-new home. You can design the ideal home for you and your family by selecting the features, layout, and style of your home.


There is a lot to learn before getting started, from the sorts of new construction that are accessible to your financing options, even if buying a new construction house is worthwhile for many people. Here are some things to consider when purchasing a new home.



WHAT IS A HOME UNDER CONSTRUCTION?

A newly built home is one that the buyer is the first to occupy, but this might take several distinct forms. You can either hire all the contractors and subcontractors to build your home from the blueprints you helped prepare, or you can buy a home that has been designed and built by a builder who constructs a full development. Consider your objectives for the home, the ideal layout, key features, and the price of building a new home before making a purchase decision.

Making a competitive offer is important if you're buying a finished new construction home because purchasers frequently choose to purchase brand-new, move-in ready homes.



OPTIONS FOR NEW BUILT HOMES

Understanding the customization possibilities is a necessary part of learning how to purchase a new built home. You may have a voice in every aspect of a home, or you may simply be able to influence a select few elements or designs.

The many choices are as follows:


  • Full custom home: In a full custom home, you have complete control over all design decisions. There may appear to be too many details or choices at times. Be ready to think through even the slightest aspects, such as the type of light switches or the orientation of the electrical outlets.


  • Home that is semi-custom: In a semi-custom home, some of the structures and features are predetermined, but you can personalize key elements and spaces as you see fit. This is typical of prefabricated houses. Although the builder has a unique structure and aesthetic, you can pick features like the countertops, floors, and lighting, for an instance.


  • Spec home: A spec home is one that has been built just for you and is being sold as-is. If you decide to make any alterations, you'll have to pay for them after you've bought the house. Spec homes typically occur when a customer who had personalized the home withdraws or when someone purchases the model home for the builder.



BENEFITS AND OBSTACLES OF PURCHASING A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED HOME

In general, real estate is typically a wise investment. Real estate frequently increases in value, which you can support by making improvements over time.


Due to its recent development, a new build home might be a reliable investment. The value might increase more quickly because no one is now residing there than it would if there were several owners over the years. A new build home has advantages and disadvantages, just like any other investment.


Benefits Of Newly Built Homes

It's difficult to avoid contemplating all the benefits of constructing a new home. Essentially, you are the designer, but there are a lot of other benefits as well:

  • You can design and construct your ideal home from the ground up.

  • Typically, new homes require significantly less upkeep.

  • Typically, new homes don't come with unforeseen costs that make homeownership too expensive.

  • Most home builders make use of modern technology, which increases your home's accessibility and energy efficiency.

  • You have a choice as to where to establish your property; you are not forced into a predetermined area.

  • There are many new homes that include a builder's warranty.


Downsides of newly built homes

Make sure you are aware of the drawbacks of constructing a new house before contacting a contractor:

  • Buying an existing home can be substantially less expensive than building your own.

  • Because not all builders are created equally, you might hire a subpar one. An agent with knowledge of new construction can help navigate this.

  • Less room is available to discuss the contract.

  • It could take a while for the land to develop, especially the grass and trees.

  • If you purchase a semi-custom home, the adjacent homes may all have the same design.



MAKING AN OFFER ON A HOUSE THAT IS BEING BUILT

It's challenging to make an offer on any house, but it's more challenging when buying a new house. You could feel caught paying more than you would like to because there is less room for negotiating.


It's crucial to understand how to submit an offer on a new built property. Here are some pointers:

  • Make use of a real estate agent to guide you through the procedure.

  • Inquire about any discounts or upgrades the builder may offer.

  • Find out if a house warranty is included and how much it would cost if it is not.

  • Inquire about the guarantee offered by the builder.

  • Understand the neighborhood's new build homes' typical cost.




WHO PAYS THE REALTOR?

The main benefit of utilizing a real estate agent when purchasing a new construction home is that the builder pays for their services instead of you. Generally, the real estate agent commission is a recurring expense of home construction for builders.


Real estate agents are seen as sales representatives by builders. The builder might have fewer clients if agents didn't bring them business, even though the agent represents you. The builder pays the real estate agent's fees in exchange for representing your interests and negotiating on your behalf.



OTHER EXPENSES TO CONSIDER IN YOUR BUDGET


There will be additional costs involved in developing a new home. Consider including these in your budget to be ready:

  • Homeowners association fees

  • Homeowners insurance

  • Landscaping

  • Moving fees

  • Furnishings and decorations

  • Reserve fee for unexpected costs or problems

  • Extra customizations and amenities



CONCLUSION

It's exciting to see what new construction in Des Moines is and our hope is that this information has made you more comfortable with real estate in general, or even better, interested in it.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us at The dsmSOLD Team with any questions or concerns you have.




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