Hey Mr./Ms. Custom Home Buyer - think you’re smart/sophisticated enough to find that super deal on that million dollar home you’ve always wanted? Don’t be so sure………….

Although sometimes more sophisticated than your average home buyer, since typically the upper-end luxury home buyer is older (not necessarily true in the Austin area), has done this many times before, and has more time TO look, the standards of finding the “best” deal still prevail. The “best” deal is not always so obvious if data obtained solely from web-based sources (numerous “find-the-best-home” Internet sites) is the main, if not only, source of information. Having access/knowledge to data not found on the Internet is sometimes crucial to not only saving thousands of dollars on the price, but in finding a Custom Builder that is reputable and financially sound to service warranty issues after closing. 

I say this because it ceases to amaze me the number of high-end custom homes sold every year in the Austin area without a Realtor. True, a number of these homes are contracted directly with the Builder on a to-be-built basis, but even that process could have been enhanced if the Buyer had first obtained the services of a reputable Realtor with experience in and with custom home sales - before the bid process, during architectural planning, through construction, and to final closing. The mere price of that million dollar+ mansion should NOT be the only consideration in a buyer’s thought process, as so much more goes into probably one of the most expensive investments one will make!

Here are a few items to consider that are VERY important, and that most if not all custom buyers either have expertise in, knowledge of, or access to:

• Inventory of available or soon-to-be-completed homes; access to all “appointment only” homes
• Synopsis of selected Builder, community history (appreciation/depreciation), school analysis 
• Builder sites/lots available for construction
• Market/cost analysis including site procurement (lot cost), price/sf, sold comparables, etc.
• Architectural/structural/feature recommendations
• Construction walk-through inspections through completion, and final inspection w/builder
• Mortgage companies/interest rates (when applicable), and title and closing documentation review

 Realtors that represent Custom/Luxury buyers are not usually the “rookies” in the office, but generally the more seasoned veterans that have done this before. In a previous post, Austin Real Estate Agent - Choose a Specialist, I mentioned qualities to look for when making a Realtor decision.

I built my own Custom home - I’d be glad to assist in helping build yours! With over 24 years experience, put my vast knowledge of the Austin Custom Home market to work for you! Contact Phil Hutson @ phil@showcaseofhomes.com, or call toll free (888) 410-5858. 

This entry was posted on Monday, November 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 am and is filed under Austin Real Estate, Austin Custom Homes, Phil Hutson,Austin Realtor. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.