The Fine Print Matters

There's a lot of fine print when it comes to new construction. Builder contracts can be more than 75 pages long and are generally drafted to protect the builder's interests. There are plenty of details the average buyer may not be familiar with. That's where my experience comes in.

I know what to look for, what questions to raise and where there may be room to negotiate.

THE BUILDER IS GIVING ME $20,000?!

You've probably heard builders advertise incentives such as flex money, closing cost contributions or design center credits. Before you start planning how to spend that $20,000, let's look at where some of it may go.

Some builders require buyers to cover certain costs that other sellers in Central Florida typically pay. These expenses are outlined in the builder's contract, and they can take a sizable bite out of those incentives.

Then there's the builder's fee. Some builders charge an additional fee, either a percentage of the purchase price or a flat amount. That's another expense that can reduce the money available for your closing costs or upgrades.

You could use up a large portion of that $20,000 before you even step into the design center.

Another important detail is the financing contingency. The terms and deadlines can vary by builder, so it's important to understand what happens if your financing doesn't come through as planned and how your deposit could be affected.

I'll help you keep track of important deadlines, raise questions when something needs a closer look and coordinate with your lender, the builder and, when necessary, your attorney so you can move through the process with greater confidence.