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Florida: New Homes

Overview

New homes are popular in Florida, particularly among foreign, non-resident buyers. Although new properties may lack the charm and character of older buildings, they offer attractive financial and other advantages. These may include lower closing fees and property taxes; better quality and a builder’s guarantee; no costs or problems associated with remodelling or refurbishment; and a wide range of standard fixtures and fittings. If required, a new property can usually be let immediately. It’s also often cheaper to buy new rather than remodel (refurbish) an older property as the price is fixed, unlike the cost of remodelling which can soar way beyond original estimates.

On the other hand, new homes may be smaller than older properties and are generally built on smaller lots. When you’re planning to buy a new single-family home, you can usually buy the land and house separately, although it’s usual to choose an inclusive land and house deal. Most builders have a number of developments, each of which is divided into lots, and offer what’s called ‘custom building’. This means that you choose the site and size of your lot (e.g. one-third to half an acre) and select a style from a wide range of standard designs (builders offer up to 100 designs and floor plans).

The most important consideration when choosing a new home is the reputation of the builder. Inspect other homes a builder has built and check with the owners what problems they have had and whether they’re satisfied. Building standards in Florida are generally high and new building codes were introduced after the widespread devastation (estimated to have cost over $20 billion) caused by hurricane Andrew in 1992. Most new single-family homes in Florida are purchased off-plan and builders don’t usually start work until a lot has been selected and a contract signed (the main exception is apartment and townhouse developments). A good agent or builder will keep you informed about the construction of your home and may send you regular photographs showing the progress of building work. Most homes are completed within 90 to 120 days of signing a contract.

Standard Features

Standard fixtures and fittings in new homes are usually more comprehensive and of better quality than those found in older homes. Builders often offer limited and standard feature options. Standard features in single-family homes include a fitted kitchen with a cooker (range) and possibly also a dishwasher, refrigerator, pantry and breakfast nook; deluxe bathroom suites with mirrored cabinets; master bedrooms with walk-in closets (usually with mirrored doors and ventilated shelving); air-conditioning and heating (climate controlled); screened patios and terraces; and a single or double garage. Homes may also contain quality fixtures and fittings such as recessed kitchen lighting, humidifiers, electric door chimes, window blinds, exhaust fans in bathrooms, ventilated closet shelving, and smoke alarms.

Floors in the foyer, kitchen and bathrooms are usually non-wax vinyl in less expensive homes, although you can pay extra to have tiles (fitted as standard in luxury homes). All other rooms are carpeted. New homes usually include a variety of energy-efficient, low maintenance features in the latest materials and are pre-wired for TV (e.g. living or family room and master bedroom) and telephone connections (e.g. kitchen and master bedroom), although if you want more than two points you may have to pay extra. Homes are also usually pre-wired for ceiling fans (with switches), garage door openers, front and rear exterior electrical outlets, a cold water line for an ice-maker and washer/dryer connections. Ensure that utility ‘hookups’ (connections) are included in the price.

Luxury Features

More expensive homes often offer better value for money with a larger lot, larger living and total built area, superior fixtures and fittings, and many luxury features included as standard. These may include a tiled foyer, kitchen and bathrooms; a tiled roof (tile roofs cost around $7,000 more than shingle roofs, don’t absorb as much heat and last much longer); better quality interior and exterior doors; volume ceilings; window blinds; large walk-in closets; extra electrical outlets; plant shelves; security metal-clad external doors (including patio doors) with deadlocks; emergency lighting; fire extinguisher; garage door opener; pull-down stairs in garage to access an attic (which are usually small); large garden plant tubs; separate shower with glass enclosure; cultured marble vanity tops and marble window sills; mirrored closet doors and medicine cabinets; screened lanai (patio); an automatic lawn sprinkler system; better quality carpeting; European-style or decorator/designer (favourite words of builders) kitchen cabinets; luxury light fixtures (some builders provide an allowance to buy lighting fixtures of your choice); an upgraded appliance package (e.g. washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave); a fireplace; an alarm system; and a larger garage.

Large luxury homes come with three or four-car garages, a large yard (garden) with room for RV and boat parking, a swimming pool, gourmet-style kitchens and high (vaulted/cathedral/volume) ceilings as standard. Some builders offer incentives such as free swimming pools or even free cars to buyers of luxury homes when sales are slow. The standard fixtures and fittings vary depending on the building (and price) and some homes may include extra features (options) as standard. Note that it’s often possible to negotiate for a number of options to be included in the basic price at no extra cost. When buying a new home it certainly pays to haggle! This is particularly true if a builder if offering a new home that’s already built. Most builders can show you examples of all their designs, but bear in mind that model or show homes often include many optional features, so check exactly what’s included in the basic price.

Options

Options are many and varied and may include a refrigerator; microwave oven; washer and dryer; intercom and music system; fireplaces; security system; automatic garage door opener; full landscaping and automatic sprinkler system; swimming pool; Jacuzzi or spa; and ceiling fans (which are cheaper to operate than air-conditioning), to name but a few. Note that some options may be cheaper to have installed independently rather than by the builder, e.g. a swimming pool or sprinkler system. However, many builders won’t allow buyers to install a pool simultaneously with a home unless it’s purchased through them. A sprinkler system may be included in a landscaping package, in which case it won’t be possible to have it installed separately (unless you also have the landscaping done separately). If you wish to furnish a property solely for letting, all builders offer furniture packages which are usually good value (but compare costs). Some builders offer ‘turnkey’ properties (furnished with all appliances), although these are usually confined to apartments and townhouses.

More pages

Page 1: Overview
Page 2: Furniture Packages
Page 3: Information

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