Will Portland be destroyed by an earthquake?
The Portland Hills quake could destroy one in three buildings in the Portland metro region, displace as many as 257,000 people and injure 63,000. The risk of that earthquake is far more unlikely than a Cascadia earthquake, according to Ali Ryan Hansen with DOGAMI.
What new home upgrades are worth it?
The areas most everyone will tell you it is worth spending the money to upgrade:
- Kitchen cabinets (taller, slide out drawers)
- Better quality floors.
- Higher grade counters and tile.
- Moulding and trim.
- Larger shower and/or tub.
- Electrical / Data packages.
- Closet shelving packages.
Do new builds hold their value?
It’s hard to say exactly how much a home is devalued when it’s no longer new and perhaps some don’t lose value. But for some properties it’s as high as 10% of the home’s value, instantly trapping some new owners in negative equity. If new buyers were purchasing existing homes, they wouldn’t be running that risk at all.
How much should you spend on new construction upgrades?
To avoid overspending — and overextending yourself — prepare a budget before your design meeting. Goodrich, of Cachet Homes, says that a good rule of thumb is to expect to pay about 12 percent of the base price of a home on interior upgrades.
Can you negotiate upgrades on new construction homes?
The lower the builder’s costs, the more room there is to negotiate upgrades on your new construction. The cost of labor and materials generally won’t change much, but if you build on a less expensive lot, you should be able to convince the builder to roll that savings into some upgrades for you.
What can you negotiate on new construction?
How to Negotiate the Best Deal with a Builder
- Know the Builder’s Incentives Just as you would if you were buying an existing home, it’s important you understand the seller’s motivation.
- Shop Around for Financing.
- Ask About Upgrades
- Request Your HOA Dues to be Paid
- Select a Premium Lot
- See if They’ll Offer a Discount.
- Request Help with Your Closing Costs.
Do builders work with realtors?
Real estate professionals and builders can work together in harmony, because they have the same goals: sell more houses and get more referrals.
Should you have a realtor when buying new construction?
If you are interested in buying a new construction, the builder’s agent will be ready to help you with the process. But make no mistake: You need your own real estate agent from the get-go.
Do buyers agents get commission on new construction?
In reality, on most occasions, there can be more flexibility with new construction. With all that is involved in the process, it is not surprising to find out that it is quite common for the builder to be the one to pay the buyer’s agent roughly 3% of the sales price.
Is it better to go with the builder’s lender?
Buyers might wonder whether they can get the incentive without getting a loan through the builder’s preferred lender. The answer is no — or at least very unlikely. It’s not always clear whether the builder’s package is a better deal than a loan from another lender without the incentive.