| |
| |
|
Real Estate Information |
|
|
|
Buying New Construction...How Do I Begin?
The prospect of shopping for a new construction residence can be quite daunting, but the rewards of owning a brand new home out-weight the disadvantages if you know the potential pitfalls. The following are important considerations: Overall Dollar Budget, Location, Cost Per Square Foot, Finishes, Upgrades, Parking and Delivery Date. Overall Dollar Budget To establish a budget for purchasing a home, you should speak with a mortgage professional prior to looking for property. In terms of your budget, keep in mind that parking is usually not included in the purchase price that is quoted by the developer. In addition, in today's market the list price of the unit is typically not negotiable. The best way to establish a budget is to determine how much money you will need as a down payment and how much money you will need as a down payment and how much you feel comfortable spending, based on your gross income, for monthly payments. Remember that the real estate taxes are generally included in your monthly mortgage payment and should be calculated at a minimum of 2% of the purchase price. If your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price, your lender will require that you purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) - this charge will also be included in your monthly payment. Also factored into your monthly expenses are your assessments, both for the unit itself and a separate assessment for parking. And finally, add your monthly mortgage payment. Location Generally speaking, the higher the density of the area, the more costly the condominium or townhouse will be. Then checking out locations, you may want to consider less developed areas of the city. Such areas are typically less expensive than those in more developed areas. Note, that as density increases with new development, it is highly likely that your property will gain in value, resulting in a higher return on your investment. Cost Per Square Foot When purchasing new construction, the favored method of comparing value is cost per square foot. This is the method used by developers to initially price their developments. With the cost per square foot in mind, you will be able to compare different properties on an equal basis and determine whether you are purchasing at a favorable price. Also to be considered when looking at the cost per square foot price is whether the developer has included such items as granite counter tops, marble bathrooms, and black or stainless appliances as standard features. In Chicago, prices per square foot range from $225 to as much as $1000 per square foot in the Gold Coast. Finishes You will need to carefully examine which finishes and appliances the developer has included in the base price versus which are considered upgrades. Note that the more expensive finishes such as granite and marble are not usually included in the base price of a one-bedroom unit. Be sure to get a detailed list of specifications in writing from the developer, indicating the brand and model number of each appliance. Don't be confused by the finishes and appliances that are shown in the models you see- they may not be the same as those included in the quoted price. Models are typically finished with granite and marble, undermount sinks and hardwood floor laid diagonally but such features may not be considered standard, particularly in smaller or less expensive units. Upgrades As you can imagine, the cost of upgrades can vary considerably. Developers commonly charge their cost plus a 20% mark-up for upgrades; others may charge even more. Try to determine the costs when you and your realtor are writing up the initial offer. By determining all costs during the contract period you reduce the chance that upgrade costs will exceed your budget. If you keep in mind that many new construction units are not ready for occupancy for a year or two, you will understand the importance of having all upgrade costs in writing as part of the initial contract - at today's prices rather than at costs calculated at inflated prices one or two years later. Parking One of the essential elements of resale value is parking. In a loft conversion or a high-rise building, parking can vary from approximately $25,000 to as much as $60,000 depending upon the level of luxury of the building and the availability of parking in the area. Since parking spaces have dramatically increased in value, you should seriously consider purchasing a space whether or not you currently own a car. Without parking, the later sale of a unit may be more difficult than that of a comparable unit for which parking is included in the price. Delivery Date Although your contract will specify a delivery date, provisions in the contract will often allow the developer to deliver your unit much later than the specified date without penalty. If this is an important issue to you, you should keep in constant contact with your Realtor during the construction process as delivery dates can be delayed for as long as a year and, in rare occasions, even beyond that. You should also speak with your attorney and incorporate terms into the contract so that your interests are protected in the event this should occur. Working With A Realtor Purchasing a new construction residence can be a rewarding experience and a wise investment. But there are definitely nuances involved in purchasing new construction, including the track record of the developer, the number of "flippers" purchasing in the project, and the percentage of sold units. You will be best served by using a Realtor who is familiar with new construction market, the various developers and their product. With your Realtor at hand to answer all your questions, your interests will be represented and protected in all communication with the developer. If you rely on a real estate professional, you will spare yourself a great deal of the aggrevation associated with purchasing a new construction home and, best of all, this representation will be at no cost to you - the developer pays your Realtor's commission. About The Author Sheldon Salnick is a Realtor with Rubloff Residential Properties. He has worked with new construction buyers for the last 13 years and has represented over $200 million in new construction. For more information or guidance in the purchase of a new construction home, townhome or condominium, he can be reached him at SSalnick@Rubloff.com or www.SheldonChicago.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
Real-Estate - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Vegas: The New Frontier Unless you have been living in Siberia, you know that Real Estate is on fire in many places around the country. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a city where this was not the case. How To Negotiate A Higher Price For Your House Negotiation is where many FSBO home sellers really have problems. The wrong attitude or a slip of the tongue could cost you thousands. First Impressions Will Sell Property Fast! First impressions count, buyers will have already formed an impression before they step into your property. A well-kept garden, pathway and fence, plus a freshly painted front door are immediately appealing, whereas a scruffy outdoor space with a litter bin outside the front door may turn many prospective buyers away. Selling Your Home Quickly, Even if You Have No Money For Repairs Do you need to sell your home quickly? If so, don't be tempted by the ads you see that say "We Buy Houses" or "Sell Your Ugly House in 9 days for Cash." Those types of ads are placed by real estate investors who are looking for sellers under duress, and they'll only pay up to 70% of the low end market value for your home. Five Ps of Selling Houses 1. Planning:Know Your Target BuyersThink about your neighborhood and the buyers purchasing homes near your property. Buying Beach Houses in New Zealand: Real Estate and Investment Opportunities Buying a beach house in New Zealand offers many possibilities.New Zealand is made up of two main islands, North Island and South Island, giving it miles of coastal lands and perfect beaches to live by. The Key to Real Estate Investing Success Revealed! How did you get into real estate investing? Did you read a book on it? Was it a seminar? A meeting of some sort with speakers dispensing real estate investing information, but really selling courses? Did you get really, really jazzed and pumped up by these simple ("not easy") concepts that were delivered to you in parable form from the stage by a charismatic speaker?Did you find yourself levitating to the back of the room, powerless but to slap down your plastic to buy the kits that were being sold there? Like, "Yes Mr. Ker we do take traveler's checks. Real Estate Investing - Basis Explained Our complex IRS code requires that your, as a real estate investor, accurately calculate your "basis" in investment property when reporting a gain or loss on a tax return.Your monetary gain or loss when you sell investment property is determined by comparing the sale price to the adjusted basis in the property. How to Buy a Home When Your in Your Twenties A Single's Game of Real Estate (Getting started in your twenties)Due to the fact that most of us grow up in either a rented apartment or our parent's single family home, it stands to reason that most people, when beginning to ask themselves the question of purchasing their own dwelling, will come to the conclusion that a condo or small house is probably the way to go. That's a result of conditioning and it's a hard mindset to break! After taking the time to talk to or personally guide a respectable number of people in their twenties, I have come to find that firm, direct and accurate information can really adjust the reality of how real estate can be acquired and used to their best advantage starting with property that sets the tone for a much more profitable and rewarding future. Investing in Real Estate for Your Retirement (and Now!) You've probably heard a lot of opposing information about Investing in Real Estate, which is completely annoying! The straight-forward fact about Real Estate is that it is probably the best and safest investment you'll ever make, especially if you live in it, and that you are far more likely to make money in this market than with any other type of investing. The chances are very slim that you'll wake up one morning and the housing market will have dropped by 40%. 10 Tips for Investing in Distressed or Foreclosed Properties 1. Search on the world wide web for distressed or foreclosed properties as a starting point. How to Achieve Financial Freedom with Your Home The secret disclosed on how you too could achieve financial freedom through property (and tell the pension companies just where to stick their measly, worthless 'pensions') Geoff Morris is a self-made property millionaire who made it in less than 18 months even with a hectic 'day job'. He has written a series of articles to help people like you achieve the same levels of success - as long as you are willing to 'Go For It!'Many people these days are getting more and more concerned as they approach retirement age. Why is Now the Time to Buy in Turkey? Turkey is a paradise of sun, sea, mountains, and lakes that offers the vacationer a complete change from the stress and routine of everyday life. From April to October, most places in Turkey have an ideal climate that is perfect for relaxing on sandy beaches or enjoying the tranquility of mountains and lakes. Maximizing Curb Appeal and First Impressions to Sell your Home We all know that a home or property of any kind, in order to sell faster and at a higher price, should have what is known as curb appeal. Frequently, it is not the expensive things that make a difference. Condos Vs. Condo Hotels For Vacaton Home Ownership Condo hotels, also called condotels, are a relatively new concept in vacation home ownership. Rapidly gaining popularity, numerous condo hotels are now being built in Florida, Las Vegas, Chicago, Toronto, the Caribbean and many other locales around the U. Florida Real Estate Exploding For 15+ More Years? YEEHAW!!!!!! The south will rise again!! Can't you just imagine the Dukes of Hazard boys sitting on the hood of their car (the General Lee) grinning in front of a For Sale sign in their yard? Well, they should be smiling with the prices in the south, and especially in Florida. But will this Florida real estate trend continue? That is the $100,000 question. Choosing An Estate Agent With so many estate agencies vying for your business, choosing the right agency can be difficult. We have put together the following top ten tips to help you find and use the most appropriate estate agent to sell your house. How Does Interest Rates Affect New Home Sales and Wheres The Best Place To Build? These real questions on new home starts and interest rates on real estate are answered by a US Master Builder and myself after receiving them from readers of my e-book, "Residential Development Made Easy."Question 1. Las Vegas Real Estate - Luxury Properties Las Vegas is known for it's over the top hotels and casinos, larger than life celebrities and jaw dropping shows.Over the past couple of years the Real Estate Market has taken center stage breaking national sales records in 2003 and 2004 with record appreciation rates as high as 52%. Property Investors, Scrub Your Thoughts and Start Again - Brazil, Brazil, Brazil! Brazil Property - FortalezaThe PlaceWhat to do in a place like this - You can swim, surf, dive, sail, golf, play ball, ride, explore, bargain hunt, sight see, explore, drive a dune buggy for 100 miles in any direction, or take a jeep up a steep mountain trail. You can explore environmental preserves, or just swing in a hammock and do nothing at all.
|
 Home  Contact
|
| Real Estate Information © 2006 |
