by Jim Perry, Taylor Morrison,
President, Building Industry Association (BIA) Baldy View Chapter
The first choice most homebuyers make when deciding to shop for a new home is whether to purchase a state-of-the-art new home or an existing home – and both of those choices come with their own advantages. Traditionally, homebuyers start out on their path to the American Dream of Homeownership with a pre-owned home and then step up to a new home in a new home community. However, others see opportunities to breathe new life into a classic design such as the many Victorian, Craftsman and Ranch homes throughout our region.
Whichever path you choose, the steps toward purchasing either a new or existing home are often the same. However, there is one step reserved for purchasers of new homes that should be factored into every homebuyer’s ultimate choice because it could result in substantial long-term savings for the buyer making what may be the largest financial investment of their lifetime and reduce the maintenance and operation costs of a new home dramatically – the ‘walk-through’ or Warranty Orientation Phase.
The walk–through is a final inspection in which the homebuyer and the homebuilder's staff will literally walk the buyer through the new home to both educate them and inspect for any slight imperfections that need to be corrected. This is an important step because many of the products used to construct the home and the appliances within are protected by warranties which guarantee that the home and all of the products within it are built to the highest possible standards of workmanship and materials and enable homeowners to set up long-term plans to keep the home running at optimum efficiency while minimizing operating costs.
When it comes to building new homes, homebuilders believe the environment doesn’t stop at the front door. Today’s new homes come stocked with the latest in modern, energy-efficient appliances that protect our indoor as well as our outdoor environments. This is why today’s new home is the most environmentally-friendly and economical home in history. From the hinges on cabinets to state-of-the-art central air-conditioning and heating (HVAC) systems and appliances, today’s new home is a sophisticated network of moving parts incorporating the latest in style, safety, efficiency, mechanical, electronic and scientific breakthroughs to keep your family safe and comfortable while protecting your environment and your investment.
The walk-through will begin with homeowners receiving a package of instruction booklets and warranties covering the operations of the home's components such as HVAC systems, appliances, emergency detectors and landscape irrigation to detail the new home's coverages and procedures. These documents will spell out the buyer's responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep. Because new homes are built with the best industry practices and the finest in workmanship and materials, being clear on how to operate and maintain your home's components will ensure optimum performance, long life and cost-savings.
Your builder wants you to be satisfied with your purchase because homebuilders strive to build long-term relationships with their customers. Not only does a builder's reputation for quality go a long way toward getting all the necessary approvals and permits needed to build the American Dream, but homebuilders know that happy customers tell their friends, family and associates who are also potential homebuyers. This is why builders often provide a packet of material to help buyers become acclimated to their new community.
During the walk–through, homebuyers are encouraged to ask all the questions they want to ask. If a builder's representative can't answer all questions during the walk-through, he or she will get the answers to the buyer as quickly as possible. Many builders schedule two visits during the first year — one near the beginning and the other near the end of the transaction - to make necessary adjustments and to perform work of an emergency nature when necessary.
Today’s homebuilder takes pride in building the best American Dream that can be built and the walk-through is more than an opportunity to ensure that today’s American Dream of Homeownership is the best that it can be and a positive learning experience that will enhance the homeowner’s enjoyment of their home for as long as they own it.
The BIA Baldy View Chapter seeks to advance the opportunity to attain the American Dream of home ownership. For additional information on the benefits of homeownership, go to www.biabuild.com on the web.
*****
