Building on Your Lot

Helping Home Buyers "Build Green"

Raising Awareness

In this day and age, more people are becoming aware of their surrounding environment for a number of reasons. For most people, saving money has led to more environmentally sound choices, making it a win-win situation. For example, the rising cost of gas prices has caused many people to look for alternative fuel sources, hence the birth of hybrid vehicles. For others, rising costs of home maintenance have led to solar powered energy and use of rainwater harvesting systems to help flush toilets and/or water their lawn. And for others still, being more environmentally aware stems from health reasons, such as trading in the use of common household cleaners which contain a lot of harsh chemicals, for those that are safer for the environment as well as the air you breathe. Whatever the reason, there is a new trend in homebuyers to purchase eco-friendly homes. Eco-friendly homes may cost a little more up front than a regular home (depending on the specifications), but in the long run, it will save homeowners a ton of money and will also benefit the environment. What could be better than that?! If you're moving to the Raleigh, NC area, let the people at Buyers Advantage Group Realty help you find your perfect "green home". Thinking of having your own place built? The staff at Buyers Advantage Group Realty is extremely knowledgeable in helping you find the right "green builders" to make your housing dreams come true

Bringing Green Into the Mainstream

To give you a better idea about how Raleigh, NC is spreading the green message, one neighborhood is home to the National Homebuilder Mainstream GreenHome. The Mainstream GreenHome is an environmentally friendly demonstration home that is designed to look and feel like a traditional home. The only difference is that it uses considerably less energy, conserves a lot more water and provides an overall, healthier living environment. The National Homebuilder Mainstream GreenHome was done in collaboration with Cherokee, which is an international private equity firm specializing in the sustainable revitalization of contaminated real estate. The GreenHome was designed to showcase the appeal of green building to the average American homebuyer by pointing out: 1) eco-friendly living improves the quality of life and 2) demonstrates new eco-friendly technological inventions that are making sustainable living more attractive and doable than ever before.

Who Else is Helping With the "Green Effort" in the Triangle?

In addition to builders turning towards more eco-friendly housing options, there are several other companies in the Raleigh area that have been contributing environmentally-friendly products and services to home builders. Some of these include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced Energy (green building guidelines)
• All Natural Cleaning Services (non-toxic cleaning with natural, biodegradable products)
• Apex Marble & Granite (countertops)
• Blue Ridge Atlantic Enterprises (complete home rainwater harvesting system)
• Gutter Glove of North Carolina (gutter guards)
• Closets by Design (eco-friendly closet systems)
• Mid-Atlantic Associates (indoor air quality testing)
• Pleasant Green Grass (organic lawn care)
• Progress Energy (energy efficiency audit)
• Regional Waterproofing Company (cleanspace crawlspace encapsulation system)
• Cline Design Associates PA (green interior design)
• North Carolina Botanical Garden (eco-friendly landscaping)

New Construction: Building your dream home starts with doing your homework

Buying an existing home isn't always the answer; sometimes building one from scratch is. For some people, building a home may be a better choice than purchasing an existing home that may need extensive updates or repairs made or because they have special house requirements that cannot be found like universal design requirements . Building a home from the ground up gives a home buyer an opportunity to really make a home their own by designing a floor plan that meets their lifestyle. However, not many people know what is involved, how long it can take or how to get started. If you're thinking about moving to the Raleigh area, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty, where a knowledgeable agent will be more than happy to walk you through the process as well as help to allay some of your fears and concerns regarding the housing market.

Building a Home from Scratch: What You Need to Know

A new construction purchase is unique by the fact it takes place over several months and in most instances is a purchase of a product unseen until the end, after several months of anticipation, time and effort from both the builder and the buyer. Planning to build a new home is an exciting time. In order to enjoy your home building experience to the fullest, we thought you might like to know what to expect from the home building process. The chronology that follows is a guideline for the custom building process. Production builders will have a process which will consist of a more limited homebuyer role during construction. Use this guide as a basis to understand the time and participation required by you when looking to build a new home. The guide is a sample of what our agents cover when working with a client who wants to build their next home.

I. Site Selection

• Establish total purchase price/budget
• Buyer works with Realtor/Builder/Designer
• Establish any home design requirements & specifications
• Discuss Lender options
• Find perfect lot, submit offer to purchase

II. Plan Design

• Preliminary plan and price established
• 1st deposit required (Typically non-refundable)
• Full set plans developed

III. Construction Contract/Lender Submittal

• Construction Contract signed
• Lender reviews loan application, verifies financial information
• Lender issues construction loan (usually within thirty days)
• Submit Stage 1 Selections

IV. Start of Construction

• Approximately thirty-ninety days after initial meeting
• Builder obtains final permits, plan start package, surveying and construction begins

V. Framing/Electrical Review

• Framing stage inspection with Builder/Buyer is scheduled just prior to electrical installation
• Homeowner/Private Inspector reviews the framing, plumbing, hvac, and electrical
• Opportunity for Purchaser to confirm the correct installation of custom features & electrical and multi-media layout for the home
• Submit Stage 2 Selections

VI. Pre-Closing Orientation/Settlement

• Purchaser contacts utility companies
• Homeowner/Private Inspector reviews the finished house with all systems running
• Builder conducts an orientation of home, demonstrating operation of features
• Builder explains Home Care, limited warranties, and service policy
• Purchaser inspects home prior to settlement, signs for acceptance

VII. Warranty/ Service Programs Suggestions

• Builder warrants home for one year to be free from any defects in the electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems (required)
• Builder warrants home to be free from any defects in materials and workmanship for one year (required)
• One-Year Anniversary Service Appointment (suggestion)
• One-Year Anniversary Drywall Service (suggestion)

VIII. Extended Commitment To Homebuyers Suggestions

• Appliance Warranties
• Mechanical Contractor Warranties
• RWC 10-year Limited Warranty, if applicable

What Makes Us Different Is Our Commitment To Participating Through The Entire Process...

Buying or Building a home can be a risky business. Whether you are new to the area or moving locally, it is a good idea to work with someone who will give you an objective opinion rather than a sales pitch. It is important to work with someone who will point out problems, research area expansion plans, check the home's structure/mechanical, and negotiate the best price possible. Finding the home of your dreams is just the start of Buyers Advantage Group Realty's job, making sure it stays your dream home is the priority. For more in depth information about the construction process, click Contact Us and request The Guide to New Construction Homeownership.