Buttonhook
Footballguy
Not sure I get this... if not using hot water/glycol, what heats the copper pipe? If it's electricity I can only imagine the crazy costs to run this system.
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Building a house (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter gangrenengold
- Start date
El Floppo
Footballguy
good stuff- I love hearing that kind of info.
fwiw- with our 1%ers clients, the open floor plan is much less of thing the last bunch of years. they want the kitchen closed off (for staff), Dining Room separate from the Living Room and Library, etc... more traditional living arrangment (and from their comments.. I take it that they see the "modern" and open floor plan as a bit bourgeois.)
I still like open floor plans for my own way of living- gimme a huge open loft for living/dining/entertaining with separate BRs (ideally with en suite baths)
massraider
Footballguy
I can definitely see that, among the 1%.
I wonder if it will be a trend that people see, and go, Oy, remember when everyone was doing these open floor plans 10 years ago?? I just don't know for sure.
Anyway, if I was building a place, I would talk to a few RE agents about resale value in my area, what turns people off, etc. Everyone thinks they are going to be in their house forever, and statistics say they are not. May as well be realistic, and prepare for the worst case scenario.
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
Putting in a bid for a home to be built tomorrow.
Brand new community right in the area I want to live in.
Putting an established house plan on a lot.
Home w/ lot has a price tag around 500k
Having done my research, I know that I can't negotiate the price down much, though since I dont' have a realtor I'm asking for 2% off the price due to them not having to commission out to an agent.
From there I know to hit on allowances... do you think shooting for about 2-3% of the home value in added allowances is about right? 10-15k?
Brand new community right in the area I want to live in.
Putting an established house plan on a lot.
Home w/ lot has a price tag around 500k
Having done my research, I know that I can't negotiate the price down much, though since I dont' have a realtor I'm asking for 2% off the price due to them not having to commission out to an agent.
From there I know to hit on allowances... do you think shooting for about 2-3% of the home value in added allowances is about right? 10-15k?
![[scooter]](/data/avatars/m/22/22287.jpg?1659477690){kind=avatar}
[scooter]
Footballguy
Seems to me that you make enough money to avoid slumming with rabble in a cookie-cutter neighborhood.
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
I probably make less than you think, in Missouri 500k will pull in a pretty premium neighborhood, and furthermore I'm not willing to buy anything I can't pay for with a fifteen year loan.
ChiefD
Footballguy
Let me know if you have any questions about the HVAC. I am in that industry here in the KC area. Our company doesn't new new construction anymore, mainly because builders whore it out to the lowest bidder.
Which means your equipment can be entry grade crap. Let me know if I can be of help.
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
Seems really low for a $500K house.Dentist said:
Senor Schmutzig
Footballguy
Subscribing to the thread. We are 1/2 way into year #2 of trying to get our own house built. We bought the land in September 2015, submitted the permits to the city in August 2016 and as a result of a neighbor that keeps trying to stop everything we do, we are still going through the approval process. What a real PITA he is. We would have broken ground and had the walls up by now if it wasn't for him sticking his nose into everything.
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Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
No. Like only upgrading the standard stuff only $10K to $15K. I guess it depends on what materials were quoted ...
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
i had them duplicate a spec house I looked at with teh same floorplan and design my wife liked.
Just going for a fence, fridge, blinds, and a few random items.
Mario Kart
Footballguy
What is the guy doing or filing to keep it from moving forward? Have you met him or what is it with him?
Senor Schmutzig
Footballguy
He's
On the plus side, we have the plans, the lot we own is directly across the street from where we currently live (rent) and once we get the permits taken care of, it's full steam ahead.
It's a long story but he's well connected with the city so he's trying to block everything that we are doing by sending objection letters over waivers we are trying to get (based on the city requirements), appealing decisions made by the city regarding two trees that we need to remove (one is a prohibited species, the other is a another species that is not going to thrive in the area it is now) and just trying to drag things out. Not sure what his long term focus is because in the end, we are going to build. It's not a matter of if, but when. I have reached out to him multiple times via e-mail, phone messages and in person. He's not responding.
On the plus side, we have the plans, the lot we own is directly across the street from where we currently live (rent) and once we get the permits taken care of, it's full steam ahead.
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
they offered 1.5 percent for no agent. I know it's typically 6 percent split two ways. so I'm just asking for a little more
Zegras11
Footballguy
whiskey7
Footballguy
A little late to this. Some good suggestions already. I will try to add...
Whether you have a 3rd vehicle, boat, trailer, toys, etc or not, get the 3rd garage stall (if you can). And note the dimensions of the garage. Believe it or not, there are builders whose standard garage depth wont accommodate a full size pickup. You want one deep enough to hold a truck (even if you don't have one). Ask about the actual garage doors, too. Often, builders install with single spring. Might be worth it to upgrade to double if its an option. Also, a service door that goes out to the back yard is a nice convenience. You do lose some space for shelving, work bench, etc, though. So look at the layout they offer and think about how/where you're likely to put your stuff. Make sure to get enough power outlets so you're not running ext cords all over the place.
Compare the options the builder offers on any appliances with what you can buy and see what the allowance is. Its possible you can take the allowance money and either get higher quality kitchen/laundry stuff for the same price or maybe just a little more. Do some research and make sure they are putting in good furnace, hot water heater, central air unit, etc. Also recommend optioning up to a bigger/higher amp electrical panel if possible. Upgrade carpet and pad unless their standard is high quality. Pretty much goes for anything...look at what they are offering and see what it would cost you (though some builders keep a tight schedule and will not let you get your own people in to do some of the work out of fear it throws off their schedule).
Think about where your stuff will go in each room and make sure there is an outlet appropriately placed. Building Code is only so many per room and you don't want exposed cords running all over the place if you can help it. I would make sure there are plenty of outlets, cable jacks, ports, etc. Even if you're not much of a techie, I would try to get it designed with tech in mind. As someone else said, if you're going to hang TVs on the wall, get an outlet strategically placed with a tech tube that goes behind the drywall so you conceal your cables as much as possible. Same with surround sound wires. You don't want that stuff exposed any more than necessary. Tech tube from basement up to attic is nice option even if you don't use it.
Ask about gutters. Some builders don't put them on anymore so find out if yours does. Might save some money if you have them installed while the house is being built/scaffolding is up, etc than after the fact (though gutters can go on anytime after the house is finished).
See what the allowance for landscaping is (if any) and see what you could get yourself for the same money. I have done a lot of landscaping so I took the allowance money and was able to get the sod, trees/shrubs, landscape rock, AND the irrigation system for little more than the allowance. If I had the builder do all of that, it was a much more expensive option. Also, if you do an irrigation system, invisible fence, etc try to get that done before you put your sod/seed in place. Kind of a Captain Obvious tip but sometimes people overlook stuff like that amidst all the decisions.
Good luck!
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A few other threads that may help...some info may or may not be outdated:
https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/topic/385348-how-to-maximize-the-enjoyment-of-your-home/
https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/topic/381233-if-you-could-design-your-own-home/#comment-8170824
https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/topic/319032-building-a-home/
https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/topic/385348-how-to-maximize-the-enjoyment-of-your-home/
https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/topic/381233-if-you-could-design-your-own-home/#comment-8170824
https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/topic/319032-building-a-home/
Zegras11
Footballguy
not much reason for them to give up more than that in a hot market. So you passed because they were 6k short of what you wanted, ot about $40/month on your 15 year?
I was with a long time client tonight that decided to build. We got $2500 on $250k
Zegras11
Footballguy
This doesn't make sense.
He passed because he knows he can easily sell it soon and only give 5k.
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
Random
Footballguy
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
sure, plenty of chances, but I was placing an offer on a lot that was the nicest in the community that backed up to corps of engineer park land, which was cool
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
Random
Footballguy
The house at the final asking price. Was it what you wanted at a fair price? How long have you been looking? Would you have bought it if the asking price was $10K higher, but they came down that $10K (to make you feel like you won)?
JMO, and we're cut from the same cloth here, but sometimes paying full asking price is worth it...especially since it was the nicest in the community.
Random
Footballguy
Sounds like a lot of us RE guys are in agreement that your reasoning may be a little off here. Everyone wants a good deal. Sometimes in RE asking price (or more) is a good deal, if its what you want at a good (fair) price. I'm not saying you should overpay for the property, but don't let your emotions keep you from (or force you into) the deal.
What is the wife saying about you passing on it?
What is the wife saying about you passing on it?
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
It was most of what I wanted, or I should say what my wife wants. I have no way of determining whether it was "fair". About 3 months. No.
I'm in no rush to move, i live in a pretty acceptable paid for home... it's just not quite in the neighborhood we want.. though not far off
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
Wife was disappointed, not teary upset or anything. She knew our strategy going into the meeting and what we were and weren't willing to accept prior to walking.
Certainly the deal isn't dead... after seeing us walk they could come back with a better offer... or I could admit defeat and re-submit an offer. Whoever talks first loses.
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
You know I just flat out couldn't wrap my head around a 97% offer not being awesome. I was genuinely surprised to see such pushback, and being stuck between a rock and hard place left me with walking out of the meeting as the only choice at the time.. effing 2 hour meeting also. Clearly I don't know squat about real estate or this market. Frankly I thought I was being pretty weak with my offer, and so did my dad... he thought I should go in with a 90-92% offer.JMO, and we're cut from the same cloth here, but sometimes paying full asking price is worth it...especially since it was the nicest in the community.
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Zegras11
Footballguy
The question I always ask my buyers right here in this situation is how would you feel if someone else bought this house right now?
Zegras11
Footballguy
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
not bad. There's another one just one lot over that I could do the same deal on.
I refuse to let emotional plays like that affect me. In fact that's right where the salespeople went... "there's been interests on these lots, we may sell them soon" I responded that if someone offers your full asking price that you should probably take it.
I don't need the home... I'd like to have it, but I don't have to have it. I don't respond well to bidding wars and what not
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
I don't have any data. I"m just a dentist submitting an offer on a home.
But unless the home comes with a french maid with huge breasts that blows me daily, i'm not paying over 100% for anything.. EVER
Zegras11
Footballguy
And when my buyer says this, we move on. It's different than the agent for the builder doing what you said. I just want to make sure my buyer has no regrets moving on.
Random
Footballguy
Borden
Footballguy
@Tiger Fan Thanks for those links on the other page. Lots of good advice. Also interesting to see perspectives from almost 10 years ago. I'm looking at building a house in the country so that last link was nice.
Borden
Footballguy
I have a few family members who work in housing (renos, flips, former agent) and I obviously have had been dragged into a few of these projects. I've seen a lot of bad decisions. The most important thing, to me, is take from the "cosmetic" or interior budget and put it into the "bones" of the house.
Put higher quality materials in the roof, extra/better insulation, better piping for the plumbing, triple pane (and more windows), upgraded electric systems, etc. Consider floor drains in the garage. Some lots have improper grade on the yard, make sure to discuss with the builder if they are doing the landscaping and get it graded properly, away from the house, asap. Get your cabinets (especially in the kitchen) to the same specs as IKEA cabinets. It makes it WAY easier and WAY cheaper to change and update you cabinets. Unscrew the old doors and screw in the new ones. Done.
Don't spend a bunch of money of floors, counter tops, doors, custom cabinets, light switches (you'd be surprised), light fixtures, vanities or appliances. Custom cabinets, granite countertops and hardwood floors are the big 3 that are the worst. These usually require extra maintenance to stay in good shape, they cost a lot and they are difficult to part with when your special someone decides you need to "update" the house. I would also suggest staying away from small tiles (shower, backsplash, floor) because it takes a lot to install, clean (you need to clean the grout regularly) and change out.
One last thing, if you have sliding glass doors (patio doors to the deck/outside) maybe talk to your builder about beefing up the framing header above them. It's more of a long term problem but sometimes the normal header will start sag. I used to assume the difficult or heavy sliding was just because of old or dirty doors until I saw a few new sets of doors get installed on houses and the problem didn't go away. And dug into the issue a bit more.
Put higher quality materials in the roof, extra/better insulation, better piping for the plumbing, triple pane (and more windows), upgraded electric systems, etc. Consider floor drains in the garage. Some lots have improper grade on the yard, make sure to discuss with the builder if they are doing the landscaping and get it graded properly, away from the house, asap. Get your cabinets (especially in the kitchen) to the same specs as IKEA cabinets. It makes it WAY easier and WAY cheaper to change and update you cabinets. Unscrew the old doors and screw in the new ones. Done.
Don't spend a bunch of money of floors, counter tops, doors, custom cabinets, light switches (you'd be surprised), light fixtures, vanities or appliances. Custom cabinets, granite countertops and hardwood floors are the big 3 that are the worst. These usually require extra maintenance to stay in good shape, they cost a lot and they are difficult to part with when your special someone decides you need to "update" the house. I would also suggest staying away from small tiles (shower, backsplash, floor) because it takes a lot to install, clean (you need to clean the grout regularly) and change out.
One last thing, if you have sliding glass doors (patio doors to the deck/outside) maybe talk to your builder about beefing up the framing header above them. It's more of a long term problem but sometimes the normal header will start sag. I used to assume the difficult or heavy sliding was just because of old or dirty doors until I saw a few new sets of doors get installed on houses and the problem didn't go away. And dug into the issue a bit more.
No problem. I actually have a huge spreadsheet that i put together from a bunch of different threads. I'll see if I can find it tonight and upload it somewhere
