BYOB - Bring your own builder! Cooreman Real Estate Group Neighborhoods and acreage properties are open to all builders that meet basic guidelines, or be your own General Contractor if you have the skills and knowledge that is required. There is no additional cost to build your dream home in a Cooreman Real Estate Group owned homesite or acreage property. If you are shopping around for Builders, look no further, as we have carefully selected a fine group of building professionals to assist you with building your new home in a Cooreman Real Estate Group subdivision or property. We believe these individual builders compliment our own very high standards in quality construction and customer service.

Starting your search

Begin your search by calling Cooreman Real Estate Group and asking for a list of Builder Partners that would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business and build your new home. Start the process by making a list of the size, style, price range, and type of home you're looking for. We are happy to recommend several builders that are reputable in the business and offer a quality, well built home for a fair price.

Making the right choice

Take a look around. The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and to talk to the owners. Some questions to ask the homeowners are:

• Are you happy with your home?

• Did the builder do what was promised in a timely manner?

• Would you buy another home from this builder?

Shop for quality and value

Always keep value in mind.  Just because a home is less expensive than another does not mean it is a better value.  Likewise a more expensive home does not assure high quality.  Look for both construction quality and design quality.

Ask questions about service after the sale

Ask to see a copy of the builder's warranty.  Find out from the builder what kind of service you can expect after the sale, and if the builder can respond quickly to an emergency.  Some other questions you might ask the builder:

• How long has the company been in business?
• Whom do you contact for customer service?
• What responsibility does the builder assume for the work of subcontractors?
• Does the builder use state-of-the-art energy features and equipment?

Be sure to compare apples to apples

Ask the builders that you talk to these key questions:

1. Do you have a reference list of at least a dozen buyers?
2. Do your homes have good resale?
3. Have you won any building awards?
4. Do you respond to call backs after the sale?
5. Are your crews trained to help the buyer?
6. Are your allowances adequate? Request a list of allowances for each item
7. Do you encourage the buyer to make frequent site visits?
8. Do you allow sweat equity?
9. Can you show where the building code stops and the quality doesn't?

Buying a new home is one of the biggest and most important purchases you will make in your lifetime. By doing your homework, you will be able to shop for a home with a sense of confidence and the knowledge that will help you make the right decision.

This page prepared with assistance from the National Association of Home Builders, Washington DC.