Ten Questions to Ask When Buying a Brand New Home

Buying a new home is exciting! It has never been lived in, and often features numerous modern finishes and conveniences. However, there are also some unique aspects to consider. Here is a list to get you started:

Who is the Builder? Try to find out as much as you can about the Builder. How long have they been in business? Do they have a website? Are they a member in good standing with the BBB or Builder’s Association? Try to do as much research as possible and ask around to find people who have worked with them as well. Ensure you are working with a financially stable company with a good reputation.

Does the Builder have a Show Home or Spec Home you can walk through? Seeing a floor plan and walking through a home can feel very different. Larger Builders often have a Show Home to tour through, complete with all the upgrades, and smaller Builders often have a few Spec Homes to check out. These are homes available for sale, but you can also use these as a springboard for other plans with minor changes. It is always helpful to look at and get a feel for homes by walking through them.

Can I make changes to a home already Built? The answer to this question will depend on the Builder, their flexibility to change, what stage of construction the home is at, and nature of the change, of course. Your realtor can help you navigate the changes and determine what can and can’t be done, by working closely with the Builder. Your great idea may even become part of a future plan!

What is the Warranty? Here in Alberta, all new homes must come with a comprehensive Home Warranty. Some Builders may extend or enhance this Warranty. It is important to know what a Warranty does and doesn’t cover.

What Plans are Available? Builders often have a range of plans to suit your needs, or at least can get access to those plans. If you plan to build from scratch, make sure you have walked through a similar plan, and pay attention to some of the finer details, such as closet and storage space. Certain plans can only fit on certain width lots, so you may have to start with the lot and go from there.

What are the Architectural controls? These are details a house must have within a particular neighbourhood with such controls. For example, if you wish to have a triple garage on your home, make sure the area you are in allows for that garage style. Some neighbourhoods must have homes that conform to a particular style of house (eg. Craftsman or modern contemporary).

Is there an HOA fee? Even if your future home is not a Condo, it may be subject to Home Owners Association fees, which are often due annually or even monthly. We are seeing more and more new Neighbourhoods (particularly in Edmonton) with these fees assigned on Title. Sometimes they are used for aesthetic maintenance of the neighbourhood, or the functioning of a particular feature, such as a fountain. Make sure you know what these are and the related costs.

What upgrades can the Builder provide? Depending on the market, and for the right price, many Builders may be able to include extras such as deck, fence, landscaping and even basement development. It is important that you have a realtor to have on your side to assist through this process.

What services / amenities are available? In new neighbourhoods, you may find that some features easily found in older neighbourhoods, such as schools, are harder to find in a newer neighbourhood being built. Never assume that all services and amenities will be available when you build – communities take time to develop!

Who is Working on your Behalf? The biggest mistake I see Buyers do, is they walk into a Show Home and fall in love with a house, WITHOUT their Realtor! Don’t be that person. Bring your Realtor along (they will register you) so that you have FULL representation and your interests are protected at the Buyer end. This is, after all, one of the most important financial decisions of your life. Use the resources that are available to you. You can save not only money, but a lot of heartache too!

Latest New Build Homes

Interested in a new build? Check out the latest new build properties or search all listings

1843 WESTERRA Loop, E4385492, Alberta,

Courtesy of Benjamin Loates of The Good Real Estate Company

3 beds 3 baths 1550 sqft

1843 WESTERRA Loop

Stony Plain, Alberta

MLS® #E4385492

$419,900
9804 223 Street, E4385483, Alberta,

Courtesy of Joanna Wolk of RE/MAX River City

4 beds 4 baths 2279 sqft

9804 223 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

MLS® #E4385483

$799,900
2398 KELLY Circle SW, E4385463, Alberta,

Courtesy of James Knull of Exp Realty

3 beds 4 baths 1422 sqft

2398 KELLY Circle SW

Edmonton, Alberta

MLS® #E4385463

$549,900
8729 MAYDAY Lane, E4385435, Alberta,

Courtesy of Sohil Lakhani of Century 21 Quantum Realty

5 beds 4 baths 2053 sqft

8729 MAYDAY Lane

Edmonton, Alberta

MLS® #E4385435

$714,500
193 ALLARD Way, E4385430, Alberta,

Courtesy of Jarett Johnson of Realty Executives Focus

3 beds 3 baths 1353 sqft

193 ALLARD Way

Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

MLS® #E4385430

$339,900
126 11074 ELLERSLIE Road, E4385399, Alberta,

Courtesy of Kevin Rohoman of Professional Realty Group

2 beds 2 baths 1005 sqft

126 11074 ELLERSLIE Road

Edmonton, Alberta

MLS® #E4385399

$300,000
53 1703 16 Avenue, E4385390, Alberta,

Courtesy of Hassan Haymour of Sable Realty

3 beds 3 baths 1510 sqft

53 1703 16 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta

MLS® #E4385390

$380,000
2412 ASHCRAFT Crescent, E4385389, Alberta,

Courtesy of Fan Yang of Mozaic Realty Group

7 beds 7 baths 3835 sqft

2412 ASHCRAFT Crescent

Edmonton, Alberta

MLS® #E4385389

$1,490,000
19707 27 Avenue, E4385371, Alberta,

Courtesy of Amit Patel of MaxWell Polaris

3 beds 3 baths 1415 sqft

19707 27 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta

MLS® #E4385371

$399,000
Page 1 of 57
Next
Back to Top

Have more questions? Contact me today for all your Home Buying Questions!