The beauty of buying a new construction home is that you have many options available for customizing the house to make it “yours.” Of course, while it’s easy to add upgrades on many features, this can easily make your overall costs skyrocket if you’re not careful. The good news is there are ways to negotiate upgrades on a new construction with your builder so you can have more of what you want without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips to help steer you in the right direction.
Buy During the “Off Season.”
You can build a new home pretty much any time of year (especially in the milder climate here in Montgomery), but fall and winter are generally slower times for builders. Not only does this mean the builder can give more attention to your project, but it also means you may have a little “wiggle room” on the price, which can put money into the budget for upgrades.
Ask the Builder to Cover Closing Costs in Return for Upgrades.
Depending on the situation, it’s often a fairly simple matter for a builder to take care of your closing costs. This puts room in your budget for a certain amount of upgrades, and the builder will be even more likely to agree to paying your closing costs if you’re going to upgrade.
Choose a Cheaper Lot.
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.
Buy a Finished Home That Hasn’t Been Sold Yet.
When builders have a surplus of completed new constructions, there is often greater motivation to sell. If you choose one of these vacant new homes, switching out certain features for upgraded versions is often a straightforward process, and the builder may be willing to throw in a few of these upgrades as an incentive.
Just Ask!
Sometimes negotiating upgrades is as simple as asking for it! Many builders offer periodic incentives and special deals throughout the year to help lower your costs and put room in the budget for upgrades. For example, here at Lowder New Homes, we are currently offering a zero closing cost incentive, with up to $5000 in free upgrades. (See, you didn’t even have to ask this time.)
There are many ways to negotiate with your builder to get the extras you want in a new home. To learn more about negotiating upgrades on your new construction, give us a call at 334-270-6789.