Posts Tagged ‘repairs’

You’re exhausted. It seems like house-hunting will never end and each home you view isn’t how you envisioned it. There aren’t enough bedrooms, or the home just isn’t your style. It’s tough to dole out the big bucks for a place that you just aren’t 100-percent in love with.

However, there’s always another option. You can always build. Building a new home offers an array of options. You can customize it the way you like and plan it to your exact specifications. It gives you the freedom to make it yours—as opposed to building off of someone else’s choices and ideas. Not convinced? Here are our top five reasons why you should build your new home:

You get to choose the neighborhood. Maybe you saw the perfect home, but the neighborhood was anything but ideal. It’s all about location, location, location! For some, location is even more important than what’s actually inside the home itself. When you build your own home, you get to choose the neighborhood. The options are endless, which means you’ll get both the house you like and the ideal neighborhood you want.

It’s brand new, meaning no repairs are needed—at least not anytime soon. Older homes frequently come with their fair share of repairs and necessary upgrades. With all the maintenance, suddenly owning a home can feel like a part-time job. When you build a new home, everything is new. You likely won’t have to pay for repairs or renovations for years to come. This means you’ll actually be able to sit back and relax and enjoy your new digs!

Newer energy-efficient systems will save you money. When it comes to older homes, water and electrical systems often aren’t up to par with the newest technology. Things like air conditioning, heat and water end up costing way more in an older home. In a new home, you can select the most energy-efficient systems. This will help you save money on those monthly bills and in the long run—meaning you can put your money toward other exciting adventures, such as that new car or that vacation you’ve been longing to go on!

You get to select flooring, paint colors, countertops, and more! Building a new home means customization! You get to choose it all—your home, your style. It can be really fun, and it can also help you feel like you have more ownership over your home. You become more immersed in the building and design process, which can, in turn, help you understand your home more and allow you to create a space you truly love.

You create the house layout. Again, it’s all about being able to customize. When building a new home, you get to set things to your exact specifications. Do you want an open-concept home? No problem. Do you have a vision about how the kitchen will be set up? Voice it. Building a new home means you can pick and choose when it comes to the layout of the house and floor plans.

Fung, Jeff. “5 Reasons to Build a New Home.” RISMedia’shousecall.com, 11 Sept. 2018, http://blog.rismedia.com/2018/reasons-build-new-home/.

Get the home you have always dreamed of. Start the process of building your new home today by checking out Sold Buy the Sea Realty’s list of builders. Also, be sure to check out up and coming neighborhoods to build in!

Filed under: Blog by Callie Smith
No Comments »

Amid this year’s historic hurricane season, and in the aftermath of two devastating storms, countless homeowners are on the path to rebuild.

For the communities in a hurricane’s wake, there’s a danger to be mindful of: contractor scams.

If a Contractor Knocks…

When disaster strikes, homeowners are often targets, having just bore the brunt of catastrophe and in need of quick repairs. One of the most common contractor cons is unsolicited—someone approaches your door under the guise of help, but asks for cash before completing any work, or to enter your home to “inspect” the premises. They could be looking to make off with your money, or burglarize the home later.

What can you do to ensure you’re not victimized? Ask your REALTOR® for a recommendation, or family or friends. Generally, referrals can be trusted.

Avoid contractors who aren’t licensed, advises the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). A license is required in many states, as well as insurance—ask for copies of each, and confirm them with authorities in your municipality.

Go local if possible, NARI recommends. Contractors in the area are likely to have legitimate local references, and can be assessed more easily than out-of-towners—and, they’ll be aware of building codes and permitting requirements specific to your town.

When comparing estimates, carefully look over the proposals, and avoid immediately signing them. Do costs differ dramatically between professionals? Are any estimates “too good to be true”? Did the contractor pressure you on price? Be on the lookout for these “tells”—they could be an indicator of a scam.

When you decide on a hire, don’t give them a check from your insurer—you could be forfeiting your rights, and/or losing the payout, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A credit card is safest.

If all else fails, do an online search. Are there complaints lodged against the person? Has the company been in legal trouble? Are they accredited with the BBB, or another credible organization? Be cautious, and do your homework!

De Vita, Suzanne. “Hurricane Season:Avoiding Contractor Scams After Storms.” RISMedia’shousecall.com, 17 Oct.2018, http://blog.rismedia.com/2018/hurricane-season-avoiding-contractor-scams/

Stay local and avoid risk of Contractor scams by using Sold Buy the Sea Realty’s list of preferred vendors to complete interior and exterior work and more! This list has been compiled after years of trusted work from experienced vendors that service local surrounding communities!

Filed under: Blog by Callie Smith
No Comments »