• Be aware that the advertised "starting at" price of new construction homes usually includes little, if any, upgrades. The model homes that builders show prospective buyers usually have many upgrades. The actual price you will pay for a new construction home will most likely be more than the advertised price if you include any upgrades. Be sure to ask what features are included in the starting price, and what is extra, when you're touring a model home.



• Remember that new construction homes come with white walls, no window treatments, and no accessories or shelving. While this may be a dream come true for the interior decorator homeowner, it may also be a hassle for a buyer without the time or extra money it takes to plan these small details.



• Before contracting with a builder, research the company's reputation by talking to previous customers and looking at developments the company built. Find out if the builder completed the homes significantly late, and if they were helpful in fixing or repairing things that didn't work after the owners had moved in.



• If you have children, find out what school system the area is zoned for, and what growth rate is expected. Some areas receive so much new development at one time that the schools have to be rezoned to accommodate all the extra children.



• Find out if there are other construction plans in effect for the area. You might love the wooded backdrop only to find out later that they are building a strip mall there.

New homes offer a lot of advantages. The biggest benefit is having a homebuilder create a home to your specifications using his floor plans or your own. Many new home builders construct your dream home on your lot while others build in planned communities. The key is to find the right builder for you.