Buying a new home in Fairfax or Loudoun county of Northern Virginia is very exciting, over whelming and stressful at the same time. After making your decision to purchase the home (I call it the box) it is time to add all the bells and whistles to make your home as beautiful as the model home you had walked thru millions of times.
However there are few upgrades that are better off doing it later rather than purchasing from the builder. Many home buyer think it is cost effective to purchase since cost can be rolled into your mortgage or simply because you don't have time for it. However what you get for the amount of money you will spend on that upgrade will help you determine it is better to wait rather than purchase from the builder.
1. Decks/Patios/Fences- Whether single family home or a town home the cost of purchasing deck, fences or patio option from the builders has two fold issue first it is ridiculous expense and second the limitation on what you can select the design from. If you plan to add speakers or light packages to your deck or patio it will be tough to do it later and some builder will offer only basic style of deck or patio. Once you move in, buddy up with few of your new neighbors and get a contractor to build a deck or patio according to your needs.
2. Carpet/Flooring upgrades- Many of the home buyers love having plush carpets and gleaming hardwood. If you have young kids my recommendation is to take the basic carpets, let the kids or pets wear out for few years and later get what you always wanted for your flooring.
3. Garage openers- Yes the convenience of having that opener when you move in will feel great. But with the boom in the technology in the garage openers you may want to explore your options before you add this option. Many of the new garage openers have apps that can be programmed with your smart phones to control your garage doors. So why pay $900-$1000 when for the same cost you can get other options from your local hardware stores.
4. Water Heater Upgrade- Most builder will install standard 50- 60 gallons of water heater. Unless you have a huge family demand the option to upgrade from 50-60 gallons to 75 gallons may not be worth the cost of upgrade and maintenance of the water heater.
5. Dormer/Dorm Windows- Dorm windows as seen on the picture are windows in the attic section of the home. They do not bring additional light to the home unless you plan to be in the attic during the date time. The maintenance (caulking around) replacing the windows when cracked or seal busted adds to the cost for non-utility of that window. Only value the windows add is curb appeal. If you are tight on budget pass this expense.
Related Reading Articles:
5 Things Worth Upgrading with Builders when Buying a home in Fairfax/Loudoun Virginia
New Construction OR Resale Home - Which is the best deal for Virginia home buyer?
How to choose your options while purchasing a new construction in Virginia
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