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Planning to visit a builder?
Contact Paula before registering online, touring a model home, calling the builder, or visiting a sales office. Builder requirements vary, and some require buyer-agent registration during the first contact or visit.
New construction in St. George and the surrounding Southern Utah communities includes completed homes, quick move-in properties, homes currently under construction, production-builder communities, semi-custom residences, and fully custom homes.
The buying process can vary considerably depending on the builder, community, construction stage, lot, contract, and level of customization. The advertised price may not represent the complete cost once lot premiums, upgrades, landscaping, window coverings, appliances, financing terms, HOA charges, and other ownership expenses are considered.
Not every new home involves starting with an empty lot and selecting every detail. Buyers may encounter several different types of new construction.
A completed or nearly completed home may allow for a faster closing and fewer construction decisions. The builder has usually selected most structural features, finishes, and colors, although limited selections may still be available if construction is not complete.
Production builders generally offer a selection of established floor plans, homesites, structural options, and design packages. Buyers may be able to choose finishes and upgrades, but changes are usually limited to the builder’s available selections and construction deadlines.
Semi-custom construction may provide greater flexibility in finishes, room configuration, cabinetry, outdoor living, garages, and other features while still beginning with an established plan or builder process.
A fully custom home typically involves selecting the lot, builder, architect or designer, floor plan, materials, and detailed specifications. Custom construction may provide the greatest flexibility, but it also requires more planning, decision-making, documentation, and cost oversight.
A new home can offer current design, modern mechanical systems, energy features, builder warranties, and the opportunity to select finishes. Buyers should still evaluate the property, builder contract, neighborhood, costs, and future development as carefully as they would with a resale home.
Important considerations may include:
Builder advertising often begins with a base price. Depending on the home and community, the final cost may increase after selecting the lot, elevation, structural options, finishes, appliances, and exterior improvements.
Additional expenses may include:
A resale home may already include landscaping, window coverings, walls, storage, appliances, a pool, or other improvements that would need to be added to a newly built home. Buyers should compare the complete cost rather than only the initial advertised price.
Builders may offer incentives such as closing-cost assistance, interest-rate buydowns, upgrade credits, appliance packages, or reduced pricing on selected homes. Incentives can vary by property, construction stage, financing choice, and closing deadline.
A larger advertised incentive is not necessarily the best overall offer. Buyers should compare the home price, loan rate, loan fees, permanent versus temporary buydowns, required lender or title-company use, upgrades, and cash needed at closing.
The value of an incentive should be evaluated within the entire transaction rather than considered separately from the price and financing terms.
The builder’s sales representative works for the builder. Buyers may choose their own real estate representation to help compare communities, review the purchase structure, evaluate incentives, identify questions, monitor important deadlines, and assist through construction and closing.
Many builders require the buyer’s agent to accompany or register the buyer during the first visit, online inquiry, model-home tour, or other initial contact. Contact me before visiting a builder community so representation can be established according to that builder’s current requirements.
Builder compensation and registration policies vary. Buyer representation should be discussed and documented before beginning the builder search.
Builders commonly use their own purchase agreements rather than a standard resale contract. These contracts may contain different provisions regarding deposits, construction changes, completion dates, financing, inspections, appraisal, remedies, warranties, and buyer cancellation.
Buyers should understand:
Questions involving the legal effect of the builder’s contract should be reviewed with a qualified attorney.
New construction does not eliminate the value of independent inspections. Inspectors may identify incomplete work, installation concerns, damaged materials, safety issues, drainage problems, or items that should be addressed before closing or before the builder warranty expires.
Depending on the construction stage and builder access rules, buyers may consider:
Inspection access and repair procedures should be confirmed before signing the builder contract.
The homesite can be as important as the floor plan. Buyers should evaluate orientation, afternoon sun, elevation, slope, retaining walls, drainage, neighboring lots, traffic, and future construction.
A view across vacant land should not automatically be considered permanent. Nearby homes, commercial development, roads, schools, parks, utilities, and landscaping may affect privacy, traffic, and views as the community develops.
Buyers paying a lot or view premium should investigate surrounding parcels, recorded plats, building envelopes, easements, and known development plans.
Many new communities include an HOA responsible for amenities, common areas, landscaping, architectural control, or other services. Buyers should review the current governing documents, fees, budgets, rental rules, and anticipated community development.
Some newer developments may also be located within a public infrastructure district, special taxing district, or similar tax area. These districts may impose an additional property-tax levy beyond ordinary city, county, school, and other property taxes.
Buyers should verify the property’s tax-area code, estimated taxes after completion, district obligations, and whether the prior tax bill reflects an unfinished home, vacant land, or a different assessed value.
Warranty coverage varies by builder. Buyers should obtain the written warranty, understand the coverage periods, follow the required claim process, and keep records of reported concerns.
Before closing, buyers should complete the builder’s orientation or final walkthrough and document unfinished, damaged, or incorrect items. The contract should be reviewed to determine which items must be completed before closing and which may remain on a post-closing list.
New construction involves more than selecting a floor plan and finishes. I help buyers compare builders and communities, evaluate the complete cost, review lot differences, identify questions about HOAs and PIDs, track important contract deadlines, and remain involved through construction and closing.
My experience with both new construction and resale homes also helps buyers compare the practical value of included landscaping, patios, pools, storage, RV accommodations, window coverings, and other improvements that may not be reflected in a builder’s base price.
A recently built home may compete directly with builder inventory, incentives, quick move-in homes, and new construction warranties. Pricing and marketing should account for the property’s lot, upgrades, completed landscaping, outdoor living, window coverings, storage, appliances, and improvements that a new buyer would otherwise need to add after closing.
A strong presentation should clearly explain the complete value of those improvements while comparing the home with both nearby resales and current builder offerings.
Learn more about my Southern Utah seller representation and property-marketing approach.
Buyers may choose their own representation. The builder’s sales representative works for the builder, while a buyer’s agent represents the buyer subject to the written representation agreement.
Contact your agent before registering online, touring a model home, calling the builder, or visiting a sales office. Some builders require buyer-agent registration during the first contact or visit.
Not necessarily. The final price may include a lot premium, structural options, design selections, upgrades, and other charges. Buyers should request a detailed list of included and excluded features.
Builder flexibility depends on the property, construction stage, inventory, market conditions, financing, and builder policy. Incentives should be evaluated as part of the full price and loan package.
An independent inspection may identify incomplete work, installation issues, damage, drainage concerns, or warranty items. Inspection rights and access should be established in the builder contract.
Yes. Construction may be affected by permits, materials, labor, weather, utility connections, inspections, selections, and other factors. Buyers should review how the contract addresses estimated completion and extensions.
Some do. Buyers should verify whether the specific property is located within a PID, special taxing district, or similar area that imposes an additional property-tax levy.
Whether you are considering a completed home, quick move-in property, production builder, or custom build, I can help you compare the home, lot, builder terms, incentives, and complete ownership cost.
