Getting it right first time
When it comes to building your first home, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way. abode's new home build expert Dean McGuigan, is ready to tackle the tough questions about getting your first project underway.
As a first-time homebuyer, what are the essential factors to consider?
The biggest mistake first-time homebuyers make is to assume that all builders build the same. Now most will agree that this is not the case, but what does this mean, and what does this look like in relation to the finished product? Yes, different builders have different designs, but more importantly, different builders use different materials of varying quality. Hence this boils down to that old phrase of, ‘you get what you pay for’. Shopping around based on price as your main priority is a recipe for disaster. Of course, it is important, but so is the quality, the contract, and the inclusions.
Do I see a mortgage broker first? Or should I find a house and land package I like the look of to start the process?
A little bit of both! But more so, having a chat to a mortgage broker in the very early stages, is what I would recommend. A good broker can advise on what mortgage level would best suit your circumstances, and what would most likely get approved, should you want to go further. From having this information, you can start to get excited and start looking around for a house and land package that best suits your budget.
When building a new home, what does a ‘PC sum’ or an ‘allocation’ mean when it is included in a build contract? Be very careful here. A PC sum or an allocation is a figure that the builder can place on the construction value of a particular product, e.g. your kitchen, or a Building Consent. However, not knowing what this would actually cost you as the buyer, exposes you to unexpected increased costs. Avoid a contract, or any builder, that uses these terms. I strongly suggest a fixed-priced contract, with no PC sums or ‘allowances’.
Inclusions? What should I ask is included, and what is not?
This is important, as you need to know what you are getting, and what you are not. If you don’t know what questions to ask, you may be faced with further costs later on to finish your house. What should be included are driveway, path, patio, boundary fence, internal fence (from boundary to house), gate, letterbox, clothesline, driveway crossing (across the curb) and driveway strip-drain. Phew, lots of items, and all needed to finish off your house, and most of which are costly.
Armed with the correct information and knowledge, you can make a more informed decision. Price is important, but so is quality and full disclosure of what you are actually going to get. Get excited, enjoy the process, and ask questions along the way.
0800 22 22 36 | goldenhomes.co.nz
