What Should I Expect When I'm Expecting A New Home?

Having a new home built should be one of the most exciting experiences you have in life and one of the most fun. However, it is also true that getting a new home, whether you build or buy used, is stressful.

How stressful?

The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale places taking on a mortgage at a level #20 and a major change in living conditions weighs in at #28. Other surveys place moving among the top 5 stressors you will ever experience.

Regardless of the source or data sets, it’s clear that moving is nerve-wracking. If moving by itself is challenging, then building from scratch is a whole new level. In my years as a Dunn & Stone sales counselor, I have seen the design and build process challenge even the calmest people.

So how can you best prepare yourself for the highs and lows of such a major life event?

Since homebuilding can be very complex—and our clients are well-read and have done extensive research—our aim at Dunn & Stone Builders is to provide a practical resource to minimize stress and enhance the fun of your new build.

What To Expect When You Work With Dunn & Stone

No one has yet perfected home building, but we're working hard to get there. When you work with Dunn & Stone, we pledge to:

• Deliver a great product where the end result meets or exceeds the quality, fit, and finish on display in our model home
• Be transparent in our pricing on base floor plans, standard features included in the home, cost of any upgrades, and a good faith estimate on lot prep costs
• Simplify the process by breaking it into bite-size pieces
• Provide the latest and greatest selections and options (and we will hold hands with you during the design process)
• Maintain the best builders, sales, and back office personnel in the industry to oversee each project
• Communicate regularly throughout your build; the best surprise is no surprise!
• Strive for continuous improvement
• Give you maximum value for your investment
• Turn over a home that we would be proud to live in ourselves

Help Your Builder Help You

As a client, you can help your chosen builder help you by:

• Researching neighborhoods and reviewing online builder ratings; check out Houzz.com
• Asking questions upfront
• Having clear expectations of what the builder can actually deliver
• Be willing to let go of as much as possible, while addressing any concerns with your personal sales counselor
• Preparing for delays and issues that may need to be corrected, as this will occur during any build due to complexity
• Not second-guessing design choices after your set meetings
• Choosing a builder that has a proven track record for delivering results that align with your budget, timetable, expectations, desires, hopes, and dreams
• Ensuring you can trust the builder you’ve chosen, and then placing your trust in them to be the professionals and experts

Making a game plan and having clear expectations in advance can significantly improve your new home-building experience. For more guidance during the homebuilding process, check out this useful article we've put together for first-time homebuyers. When you're ready to get started, schedule a free consultation with the Dunn & Stone team to take the first step towards making your dream home a reality.

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