Buying A
New Home
Whether you’re looking for your first home, searching for your next step or planning a move that better suits your changing lifestyle; find all the information and connections you need to get started on making the right decision for you and your family.
Buying a home, especially for the first time, can seem daunting. Selecting a builder, choosing a community, deciding on design and inclusions and requiring help from lawyers, financiers and other professionals is a lot to consider, and you want to get it right while enjoying the process!
Whether you’re looking for your first home, searching for your next step or planning a move that better suits your changing lifestyle, find all the information and connections you need to get started on making the right decision for you and your family.
But before you purchase, ensure you are asking the right questions, reviewing all of the options and considering building and renovation professionals that you can trust. Read on for more information to help you get started.
New Or Existing?
About 25% of all homes purchased each year are newly built, while the remaining 75% are resales of existing homes. When you buy a brand new home, you get the best of both worlds—all the traditional value you expect in a home, plus the advantages that only a newly built home can provide. Discover the differences between buying new or a resale home.
Why Buy New?
Advantages of Buying a Brand New Home
Get What You Want
New home builders offer unparalleled quality and value. Choose from an incredible selection of new home models, then work closely with your builder to decide on the features and finishes that work best for you and your family.
You Choose The Builder
When you buy a brand new home, you get to choose your builder based on their reputation and track record. Professional new home builders are proud of their work, they have the skills, experience and integrity to do the job right, and they are committed to your satisfaction.
Know What You Are Getting
With a new home, you know how the house was built and what went into it—both what you can see and what is behind the walls. And if you have questions later, your builder will be there to give you helpful and accurate information
Quality Construction
The quality of your new home is based on solid construction and attention to details. Professional new home builders combine the latest construction techniques with timeless craftsmanship to create homes that are comfortable, attractive and great to live in.
Well Designed Communities
New developments are designed to foster a spirit of neighbourliness by carefully balancing private and public areas—welcoming home designs, green recreational areas, playgrounds for children, safe and attractive roads and pathways.
Great Home Design
Today’s new homes combine function and style, with open, inviting living areas, lots of light, well-planned work spaces and built-in convenience. Flexible layouts make it easy to accommodate future changes to your household.
Advanced Products & Materials
New homes use the most advanced building components. From construction materials to heating systems, the technology built into every new home ensures high performance, durability and long-term satisfaction.
Finishes With Flair
From flooring to faucets, the latest finishing products spell great looks and superior performance. New home builders offer a wide selection of standard and upgrade options—you can pick and choose what best suits your lifestyle, personality and budget.
Easy Maintenance
With today’s careful construction, thoughtful design and improved building products, it is easier than ever to keep your home in great condition inside and out.
Energy Efficiency
Thanks to advanced construction, higher levels of insulation and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, you not only save money on your energy bills, you also enjoy a far more comfortable home.
Indoor Air Quality
Clean air, a comfortable moisture level and no mold or lingering odours—new homes are designed to give you and your family the best possible indoor living environment.
Safety
Constructed to the latest building codes, a new home includes a wide range of safety measures to protect you and your family, from electrical circuit protectors and safety glass to hard-wired smoke detectors.
Warranty
One of the great advantages of buying a brand new home is the warranty that comes with it. Professional builders stand behind their work with an after-sales service program and a guaranteed third-party warranty.
Stable Financial Planning
Plan for the future with confidence. With a new home, you know what you are getting. Everything is brand new—there will be no major repair bills and no replacement costs for years to come.
Before You
Buy A Home
Explore the many home options available and types of home ownership on the market and what each means for your time, responsibilities and lifestyle along with the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you decide.
Start the search for your Brand New Home
Home building companies offer a variety of services and products. Some build only a few custom homes each year, while others build hundreds of homes and whole new communities. Each company caters to specific types of home buyers and their needs and it’s important to find one that’s a fit for you and your family. Find out where to start and what to expect from your builder.
Mortgages
& Purchase Contracts
Where, What and How of Mortgages
Find out more about financing, where to source a mortgage, and getting pre-approved and access mortgage calculators.
Purchase Contracts & Legalities
Find out how to make an offer, what should be included in your contract and why contacting a lawyer early is best.
The New Home
buying Experience
If you are buying a brand new home for the first time, or it’s been a long time since you last worked with a new home builder, you are in for a pleasant surprise.
A new home purchase is a partnership between the builder and the home purchaser. For builders, the key is to ensure that your new home purchase is an enjoyable and satisfying experience. Building companies invest a lot of effort in designing systems that work for customers, and in training their people to help purchasers through the buying and construction process.
While every company has its own approach, here is what a typical home buying experience is like:
Choosing
A Home
It usually takes a few visits to a sales centre to make a final decisions. During this time, the salesperson will help you work through your choices, and find solutions to any special requests you may have. When you are ready to sign the purchase agreement, the salesperson or builder will go through the contract with you in detail. They will also explain the next steps, so you know what to expect in the months coming up.
The Pre-construction Meeting
Before construction starts, the builder will review the working drawings and the construction process with you. This is helps eliminate errors and ensure that everyone is in agreement. They will explain the blueprint and verify any changes you made to the standard plan.
During
Construction
Builders know it can be difficult for wait for a new home to be built. You are excited, want to know what is going on and begin to make plans for moving in. Most builders schedule a series of site visits throughout construction. You may also get updates by phone or e-mail to keep you up-to-date.
Colour
Selections
During the construction phase, you will need to make a selection of finishing products—tiles, flooring, cabinets, countertops, faucets, and so on. This is an exciting and enjoyable part of the buying experience — your opportunity to personalize your home and get exactly what you want. Builders offer a range of products, and will usually have a designer available to assist you with selections.
Before you take possesion
Just before it is time to take posession, you will be asked to go through your home, inside and out. This walk-through, or pre-delivery inspection, is to verify that everything has been done according to plan. Anything outstanding is noted and completed before or right after move-in. The builder will also explain the operation and maintenance the systems and products in your home.
After
Move-In
Expect your builder to check in from time to time to see how you are enjoying your new home, or to remind you of milestones in your warranty coverage. Some will ask you to complete a customer satisfaction survey to get your opinions on your home and the buying experience—important feedback that helps builders keep on improving their products and their services.
New Home
Warranties & Regulation
When you buy a new home, you want to know that your investment is safe. For many home buyers, one of the deciding factors in purchasing a new home is the warranty that comes with it. The home building industry is a strong advocate of consumer protection, and new home warranty is an essential aspect of builders’ commitment to quality and consumer satisfaction. Warranty coverage varies across the country, but is mandatory in Ontario.
Coverage provided by the registered builder is supported by The Tarion Warranty Corporation.
Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA)
HCRA holds licensed builders to professional standards, protects the public interest, and enhances consumer confidence in the homebuilding industry in Ontario. In addition, HCRA strives to educate consumers to ensure that they can make informed decisions and understand the benefits of a regulated homebuilding sector.
Search HCRA’s Builder Directory Tool to find out if your builder is registered and has any chargeable conciliations:
Looking for a new home in London
Find well designed, well constructed, and well located homes from trusted LHBA Builders who combine the latest construction techniques with timeless craftsmanship to create homes that you want to live in.
