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TOP GUN- The Best of the Best?


Remember that scene in "Top Gun" when Maverick and Goose are at the Top Gun training facility and Maverick is looking around at all the pilots wondering who the "Best of the Best" is? While Maverick is looking around and Goose asks him "what are you doing?..." Before Maverick can answer, the Instructor(Viper played by Tom Skerritt), at the back of the room says," In case you are wondering who the best is, They're up here on this plaque on the wall."


Don't you wish there was a wall with a plaque that had the best of the best with builders? Now there are ways of finding builders that promote themselves as #1 or Best of Show or Parade of Homes #1 builder of the year but how do you really know how good of a builder they are.


Now, I've been a licensed builder since 2004. I am supposed to be a "professional" from day one. Now back then, the state of Utah required 8000 hours of apprenticeship, 4000 hours of actual management and you had to have all your previous employers sign off on your abilities. The state of Utah no longer requires all those hours of management. That's right you heard me correctly. You don't have to have any actual managerial experience. Just pass the contractors test (which the schools in Utah are basically a no-pass no pay institutions which means as long as you can remember the answers you're golden. You're in! This was the states answer during a time when labor shortages were plenty because after 2008 25% of the construction workforce fell of the edge of the Earth.

Most of the reasons we purchase anything is because we have a strong dissatisfaction of our current situation. Think of our clothing for instance. Once we have made a purchase we are usually content for a while until we have possibly gained weight, lost weight or trends have simply moved away.

Whatever the reason you are purchasing a new home, go back to your dissatisfactions and let those drive your questions:


Community

What do you think of the community? What are your favorite things about it? Ask the Sales agent why people like or what they have said about the community? Things to bring up are Schools, Entertainment, how close you are to work, Church, Family?


LOTS

  • How many Lots are you selling?

  • How do you release your lots? Can we view them today?

  • What sizes are available?

  • How big will the backyard be? Side Yard? Front?(Sometimes the agents won’t know this until they know the home to be built. Also they can’t be exact. They can usually be within the foot.)

  • Who’s responsible for the Landscaping? How much will be finished? Will there be a Fence?Will there be a retaining wall? What will the drain plan be?

  • Is there an HOA? What is the cost? What is included?

  • Parking Restrictions? Home Restrictions such as Garbage Cans and RV, Boat and Trailers? Also, professional vehicles.

Home

  • What Homes go on the lot?

  • What homes across from us? What can’t we select based on other homes proximity?

  • What Elevations can we select? What can’t we select based on other home selections?

  • What Color Schemes can we select? What Scheme is across from us or adjacent to our home?

  • What is considered to be structural? Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Framing? What else?

  1. Basement Height?

  2. Main floor Wall/ Ceiling Height? 8’ is standard 9’ is usually upgrade 10’ is rare.

  3. Lofts vs Bedrooms

  4. 3rd car Garage?

  5. Upstairs Wall/ceiling heights?

  6. Kitchen Layouts

  7. Primary Suite layout?

  8. Porch and Exterior add ons? Like Decks and Overbuilds?

  9. Any Un-excavated areas that can be utilized?

  10. Stair Railings?

  11. 220V Tesla Charging Stations, or Hot Tubs, future basement kitchen rough ins?

  12. Do/Can they finish the basement?

  • What do we select at design center? Is there a Design Center?

  • What is the cut-off time for selections? Structural and Design? When do you finalize our design?

Finance

  • Who are your Preferred Lenders? Banks you've used in the past

  • Are there any incentives using your Preferred Lender?

  • We assume that with the recent shift in the market that most builders do “Home Contingencies” Which means you have put a priority on your home selling first before you can move into the new home.

  • What are the Lot Premiums?

  • What is the EM (Earnest money)deposits? How do we get it back? Is it non refundable at acceptance? What is considered acceptance?

  • What are the construction Deposits?

  • What are the Design Deposits?

  • What are the Change Order Fees?

  • What are the Late Change Fees?

  • What are the processes for these changes and are there documents to sign?

Quick Top 11 Questions for Builders that get the conversation started.


What type of Homes do you sell?

Whats the average Price?

How many lots are available?

Whats the average price?

How often do you open new phases?

Is there and HOA?

What is the Cost?

What are the amenities?

Do you have a standard options list?

What are your deposits?

Who are your Preferred Lenders? What are the incentives?


By asking these questions, you can get to the heart of every builder to see what your definition of "Quality" or "The Best of the Best" could mean to you regarding them. Good luck in your search and we hope can be in the mix for your search for "The Best!" Thanks for reading!


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