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10 Tips on Buying New Homes in Florida

10 Tips on Buying New Homes in Florida10 Tips on Buying New Homes in Florida. Located in the southeastern United States, Florida is a winsome place with the Gulf of Mexico on its west and the Atlantic Ocean on its east. Florida is considered a matchless state that offers the tranquility of the countryside as well as the razzle-dazzle of the upscale urban life all while living in paradise where you can avoid chilling winters altogether. One of the largest states east of the Mississippi, Florida includes all the trappings of the various lifestyles to enable you to live your life your way!

No wonder people yearn for a home in Florida. In fact, living in the exciting ambiance of a beautiful home in Florida is a dream that keeps sailing through the minds of many Americans. Well, if you too are dreaming of owning a brand new home in Florida, there is no reason why your dream cannot become a reality.

Florida is packed full of home builders, tells Concrete Jacksonville  . However, before zeroing in on just any home builder, it is imperative for you to set your priorities and analyze your requirements, choices, preferences, and budget.

Buying a home in Florida can be a complex task. However, if you do your homework and choose a certified and reputable Florida home builder, you can easily and quickly achieve your dream home. The responsibility to take advantage of a great market and to wisely choose a Florida home that fits well with your requirements and budget is yours. There is a nice selection of homes available, why wait?

Here are the 10 most important tips on buying a new home in Florida

1. Study the real estate market

It is really important for you to get the hang of the various properties available in Florida before you decide to buy a home. You should talk to your friends who live in that region. Allow time for communication with different real estate agents and Florida home builders. Do your research online. 75% of all prospective home buyers, conduct research via the Internet. This will give you a good idea of market trends and enable you to put things into perspective.

2. Explore all your options

Talk to various Florida home builders to know what options are available, tells Vin de Faugeres . You can then run through the different properties that match your requirements and budget. This will help you evaluate and compare the different offers on Florida homes. Finally, you can decide on the Florida home builder you want to deal with and also the kind of home you want to own.

3. Check the surroundings

Once you are sure about the exact location for your new home, check the surroundings as well. Keep an eye on the development in the area. The local city/town zoning board can give you information on the future development plans in that area. This information will help you gauge the future investment value of the property you are planning to purchase.

4. Buy your home at the right time
You’ve heard that it’s a BUYER’S MARKET. Right now mortgage money is plentiful and affordable. Interest rates are at near record lows and new home inventory is high but dwindling. Take advantage of that market before it’s too late. When new home inventory is gone, it’s gone! You don’t want to wait a year and look back to learn you missed the opportunity of a lifetime.

5. Verify the Credentials of your Florida home builder
Before giving a nod to a home builder, you should verify their credentials through various sources. It is advisable to choose a tried and trusted home builder. Always skim through the policy of the home builder you are planning to use. Ask for their previous deals and customer list. You should contact some of their customers to get feedback with regard to the authenticity of the home builder and the homes they build.

6. Check all the aspects of the home
Once you have chosen the home you want to buy, you have to ensure that it is chock-full of all the comforts and features promised to you. Here is a checklist of things you should keep close tabs on when you select a home to buy.

  • Type of windows and doors
  • Safety and resistance of the home with regard to hurricanes and fire
  • Well designed floor plans
  • Adequate drainage, sewage, and sprinkler systems
  • Energy-efficiency of the home

7. Know the terms and conditions

The home purchase offer outlines the terms and conditions of the transaction. You should carefully examine all the points in detail. If you have any doubts or apprehensions with regard to any part of the terms and conditions, you should immediately seek clarification. You must ensure that all the verbal commitments of your seller are documented before you buy a home.

8. Get the right loan

You’ve got to be on the ball while picking a home loan. Compare the different home loans with regard to interest rates, processing fees, and monthly installments. Financial experts recommend converting the monthly repayment into four weekly or two bi-weekly payments. This helps you reduce the term of your loan. There are great financing packages available when choosing the right mortgage lender and home builder.

9. Know the warranties

Check whether or not your home builder is providing you with the requisite home warranties. There are two types of warranties – Implied Warranties that usually cover flaws in materials and workmanship; and Extended Warranties that cover the flaws covered under implied warranties, but for an extended period of time.

10. Inspect the home

Before finalizing the deal, you should carefully inspect your home. You can hire a professional home inspector through the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI). A home inspector ensures that you get what you are promised, and carefully checks the various features and facets of your home.

© Copyright 2005-07, ICI Homes – award-winning home builders. All rights reserved. This Article is Copyright protected. Republishing & syndication of this article are granted only with the due credit, as mentioned, retained in the republished article. Permission to reprint or republish does not waive any copyright. The text hyperlinks embedded in the article and headers should remain unaltered. This article must not be used in unsolicited mail.

10 Tips on Buying New Homes in Florida 10 Tips on Buying New Homes in Florida

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Building or Renovating 10 Things

Building or Renovating 10 Things Building or Renovating 10 Things to Know . Discover ten of the most important things to consider before beginning any kind of renovation. Save yourself a lot of time and money by putting in some careful planning and decision making before you start renovating your home.

There are many sad cases of home renovations not going as planned – often going way over budget or schedule, or unforseen complications popping up unexpectedly and ruining even up to years of work.

Most of these situations would never have gone so awry with some careful planning and early decision making sooner in the renovation process. Below are a few issues that it is vital to think about before you begin your home renovation.

10 Things to Think About BEFORE Beginning Work

  • Prepare a budget
  • Be aware of council regulations
  • Find a tradesperson
  • Know your start and completion dates
  • Selecting Products
  • Prepare plans
  • Purchasing products
  • What should I purchase myself?
  • What services are available to my property?
  • What sort of hot water unit do I need?

Prepare a budget
Before you start shopping for your new bathroom or kitchen you must know your spending limits, tells modifier stl  . Whether you are getting a loan or paying cash, you need to work out how much your project is going to cost. Some businesses also offer finance solutions for approved customers.

Be aware of council regulations
Find out all the information you can before you arrange a tradesperson. If your home is heritage listed you will need to meet strict council regulations. Many renovations must be approved by the council before work can commence. Contact your local council for more details.

Finding a tradesperson
Speak with family and friends who have done renovations or built a home. It is important to find a tradesperson that you can communicate with. Make sure you understand everything they are telling you. Book a tradesperson well ahead of time, as they can be booked for months in advance. Ensure that your tradesperson is licensed. Your product warranties are only valid if installed by a licensed tradesperson. In Australia, Trades@call provides professional, reliable tradespeople for most jobs, and all workmanship is guaranteed.

Know your start and completion dates
Communicate with your tradesperson and come to an agreement on realistic start and completion dates for your project. If you have a specific date that the job must be finished by, for example, you have relatives coming to stay, let your tradesperson know. Keep in mind that unexpected problems can hold up your project, no matter how well you have planned it.

Selecting Products
It may take a few shopping trips for you to decide on the products that give you the look you desire and are also practical for your needs. Browse through a print or online catalog. Once you have decided on a style (modern, heritage, or easy living) this will narrow down your product choices. Be aware of any size restrictions of the room. Print out or write down product specifications and measure up your bathroom. You may use the online bathroom planner at the Bourne Bathroom and Kitchen Centre website to layout the products you have chosen.

Talk to your tradesperson about your choices. If the tradesperson tells you that a product you have chosen is unsuitable, find out why. It may just be that extra work is required that they don’t want to do. Remember, it is your home and you need to be satisfied once the job is complete.

Prepare plans
It is important that you draw up plans of your bathroom or kitchen. Discuss the plans with your tradesperson. Let him know what sort of products you would like, so he will know what work needs to be done. For example, if you have chosen an inwall cistern, the tradesperson will need to know so he can set up the plumbing correctly before the tiling is done. It is best to have specifications of all of the products you have chosen so the tradesperson knows exactly what work is required.

Purchasing products
When selecting products, find out how long it will take for delivery. Some goods such as tapware and toilets will be in stock, while others such as spas and vanity units are custom made and can take up to 1 month to order in. Often these custom-made products are non-refundable so confirm your product choices with your tradesperson before ordering. Find out from your tradesperson which products they will be required first. Generally, the first products needed are the shower base, bath or spa, and mixers if they are being installed on the wall.

As an owner builder, what should I purchase myself?
If you are an owner building, make sure you purchase all of the main products for your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. This will ensure that you make all of the decisions and achieve the result you want. There will be things you will not think about when placing an order, such as different handle types on a vanity unit, the pump position of your spa, that you will need to decide on. It is important to make these decisions yourself as they will affect the overall result of your project. Smaller fittings for plumbing can be purchased by your tradesperson.

What services are available to my property?
It is important to know whether you need gas or electric appliances (hot water unit, cooking appliances). If you live further out from the city, you may need LPG appliances, adds Dallas TX Concrete . If you currently have electric appliances and you want to change to gas, speak with your tradesperson to determine if this is going to be cost-effective and worthwhile in the long run. If you are building a new home, decide on the appliances you want before building begins, as the plumbing will need to be roughed in based on your product selection.

What sort of Hot Water Unit do I need?
There is a wide range of hot water units available and it can be quite daunting to try and choose one. If you are replacing an existing unit your choices can be limited, so speak with your tradesperson. The instantaneous hot water units are popular at the moment, but they use a larger gas line than the standard storage units. This can mean major plumbing changes which can be quite costly, though in the long run the instantaneous systems are cost-efficient. See the Bourne Hot Water Selection Guide for more detail.

Many of these points seem somewhat obvious, but the problem arises when you start taking things for granted. When you don’t make sure that all your bases are covered, you may find that you have invested a lot of time, effort and money in a home renovation that you may end up unhappy with.

Building or Renovating 10 Things to Know. Building or Renovating 10 Things to Know . Building or Renovating 10 Things to Know.

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10 Recommended Home Improvements

10 Recommended Home Improvements10 Recommended Home Improvements. Value Adding. Results from a survey carried out by 100 estate agents across the UK reveal the 10 most common value-adding home improvements.

1) Loft Conversion – £22,000
2) New Extension – £19,000
3) New Kitchen – £10,000
4) New Conservatory – £9,000
5) New Windows – £6,000
6) Central Heating – £5,000
7) New Bathroom – £5,000
8) Re-decoration – £4,000
9) Resurfaced Driveway – £3,000
10) Garden Decking – £3,000

Home Improvements can be a very successful future investment. Figures above are based on typical value and are dependant on the capital invested in your home.

Not only can home improvements add a substantial increase to the value of your property, they also act as a very practical enhancement to your property, adds Matlab fonction  , especially if you have a growing family or are not wishing to actually move away from where you currently live, as it may be close to family and friends.

In the table above, the fitting/installation costs have been removing to show the real or true equity increase. i.e. a new Loft Conversion could cost £18,000 and could increase your property value by £40,000, so a true equity value increase, after costs, of £22,000

and similarly,

A new Extension could cost £30,000 and could increase your property value by £49,000, so a true equity value increase, after costs, of £19,000

A new Kitchen could cost £8,000 and could increase your property value by £18,000, so a true equity value increase, after costs, of £10,000

A new Conservatory could cost £8,000 and could increase your property value by £17,000, so a true equity value increase, after costs, of £9,000

New Windows could cost £8,000 and could increase your property value by £16,000, so a true equity value increase, after costs, of £8,000

New Central Heating could cost £7,000 and could increase your property value by £12,000, so a true equity value increase, after costs, of £5,000

A new Bathroom could cost £4,000 and could increase your property value by £9,000, so a true equity value increase, after costs, of £5,000

This post 10 Recommended Home Improvements has been kindly provided by  Seattle Concrete