Some home buyers shy away from having a new home built because they worry that it will be too expensive. Admittedly, having a custom home built may come with a larger sticker price at first, but in the long run, a brand-new home can be the most cost effective option.
Buying a brand new home immediately alleviates several new home buying worries. There is no need to worry about expensive repairs, termites, wood rot, leaks, or flood damage. As an added bonus, custom home builders allow buyers to choose both the interior and exterior color and décor.
Real Estate Palm Coast Florida by http://www.AffordableFloridaHomes.com
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Regardless of where you choose to live and what type of home you decide to buy, do your homework, develop a plan of action, and shop smart. The more you prepare for and plan your home buying experience, the more successful you will be.
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There are several ways in which a home builder can construct a home that will maintain structural integrity in high winds. For example, homes built to withstand wind speeds in excess of 140 mph are often constructed of steel reinforced, poured concrete. Builders may also use additional roof truss straps and impact resistant windows.
While an above code home can offer a great deal of protection in the event of a severe storm, all Florida residents should thoroughly prepare for the season by stocking up on supplies and preparing to evacuate should the order come to do so. After all, the best way to protect your family from a major hurricane is to get out of the way.
What an above building code home does offer is peace of mind that your home will be there when you return after the storm. An above code home may cost more initially, but to Florida residents who are concerned about protecting their home and family from hurricanes, that extra peace of mind is worth every penny.
Solid Concrete Wall Homes by Affordable Florida Homes at www.AffordableFloridaHomes.com
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A newly constructed home may seem like the best bet when it comes to hurricane protection, yet not all homes are created equally. Yes, all newly constructed homes must conform to current building codes and thus be built to withstand a Category 2 storm. This is not, however, the highest level of protection available to Florida home buyers.
At this time, Florida home buyers throughout the state can obtain homes with the same level of hurricane protection that is required in Dade County. A select group of home builders currently offer above code homes in several Florida communities. The term “above code†refers to newly constructed homes which are built with hurricane safety features that are not required by code.
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Just because a home was built before 1992, it is not necessarily more vulnerable to hurricane damage. Still, if you decide to purchase an existing home, it is always a good idea to take stock of the home’s current hurricane safety features and calculate how much you will need to spend on upgrades.
While the age of a home is not necessarily a detriment when it comes to hurricane protection, the year a home was constructed should be a very important factor in your final decision on which home to buy.
In the 50’s and 60’s (especially in the years following hurricane Camille), concrete block construction and storm shutters were very popular options for Florida home buyers. Florida homes constructed in the 1920’s tend to maintain their structural integrity in high winds, but the ever popular Spanish roof tiles used on these homes do not tend to fare as well.
The 1980’s saw the rise of tract home developments and more lenient building codes. Corruption amongst building inspectors allowed unscrupulous contractors to cut corners with virtually no oversight or punishment. These shoddy construction practices came into startling focus after Hurricane Andrew cut a swath through tract home developments in Homestead, and entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble. Today’s Florida home buyer should be wary of tract homes built during this era.
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Affordable Florida Homes received the Flagler County Parade of Homes Grand Award in its category, $220,000 to 229,900 price range. First place awards were given to Affordable Florida Homes for their Alisha Model located at 6 Point of Wood, Palm Coast, Florida, and Flagler County. The Realtor’s Choice Award was given to Affordable Florida Homes as well for their Alisha Model during the Parade of Home awards. The Alisha is a high ceiling home and has a grand open feeling, it is no mistake this home is a winner.
Affordable Florida Homes Alisha model home is located at 6 Point of Wood Drive, Palm Coast, FL 32168. This Flagler Parade of Homes winner is one peace of Palm Coast real estate your going to want to see…
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In the state of Florida, all newly constructed homes must meet certain hurricane safety standards. Florida’s building codes underwent a major overhaul after Hurricane Andrew devastated Dade County in 1992. Current building codes in Dade County require that all homes be built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane, yet building codes throughout the rest of the state are not so strict.
According to current building codes adopted by most Florida counties, a home must be built to withstand a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of approximately 90-114 mph with gusts of no more than 120 mph. This may sound like adequate protection, but homes built within these guidelines would not have survived a Category 4 hurricane such as Andrew, Opal, Charlie, or more recently, Katrina.
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The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner, and for the Florida home buyer, there has never been a better time to think about hurricane protection for your home and family. If you are considering a new home purchase in Florida and have not yet chosen your new home, taking a bit of extra time to find out about available hurricane protection costs you nothing, and could pay dividends in the long run.
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Most Florida home buyers are aware of the current real estate market conditions. With an abundance of existing homes on the market and continued growth in the newly constructed home sector, today’s real estate market favors the buyer. This means buyers now have the time to shop around, and no longer have to rush into a purchase. But since the price of construction materials continues to rise, some Florida home builders have resorted to cutting corners on construction and building materials in an effort to remain competitive and still turn a profit. When you interview prospective builders, be prepared to ask the tough questions. Does the home builder use high-quality, 5/8 inch plywood to build the roof? Do they use 30 year architectural shingles? Do they construct their homes using solid, poured concrete?
These questions apply to interior features as well. It’s easy to use cheaper materials for fixtures, paint, cabinetry, and flooring. Many times, the cheaper materials still look expensive, at least in the beginning. But over time, wear and tear will take a toll on cheap materials. Ask all prospective home builders for a list of materials they use, both inside and outside the homes. Once you obtain this list, you can research each company and the materials they produce. Check consumer reports, and don’t discount the value of word of mouth.
Remember, high quality construction materials make for solid, long-lasting Florida homes. The Florida climate presents unique challenges for all structures built here, and shoddy construction just can’t meet these challenges over a number of years.
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All Florida home builders are held to certain standards of hurricane safety when they build their homes. However, unless you live in one of the few Florida counties that require the highest standards, most homes are built only to withstand a Category 2 storm. Today, some custom home builders are going above and beyond this standard, adding additional roof trusses, shatter proof windows, and solid-concrete construction to build homes capable of withstanding a Category 4 hurricane or higher. If you decide to invest in a custom home, look for a Florida home builder who adheres to these higher standards.
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Florida home builders can be easily divided into two main types: custom home builders, and tract home builders. The main differences between these two types of builders are quality and availability of custom options. Tract homes are often referred to as “Cookie-cutter homesâ€, and with good reason. These homes are identical in every way because the materials used to build them are purchased in bulk. Often, lower quality materials are used by these Florida home builders.
Custom home builders do not purchase their materials in bulk, and tend to adhere to higher standards of quality. And since they are custom homes, the home buyer has the option of choosing the features, colors and overall look of their new home. Each buyer is free to express their own individual style, which leads to greater satisfaction with the finished product. Custom homes tend to cost a bit more, but most owners of these homes will agree that it is money well spent.
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When preparing a home for sale, sellers should remember one cardinal rule: Less is more. Home builders have grasped this concept incredibly well and have used it to their advantage. Think of a model home. In general, model homes are tastefully furnished, free of clutter, and decorated in neutral, universally appealing colors. They may not have much “personalityâ€, but this is actually a good thing when it comes to selling a home.
Buyers want to be able to see themselves in the home. Furniture and décor items are there only as props, or tools to help buyers visualize how their own personal items will fit into the home. Bold colors, clutter, bric-a-brac, and family mementos only serve to interfere with the buyer’s vision. It’s becomes much more difficult for a buyer to envision themselves in a home if they can’t get past the “personality†of the home’s current owners.
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After deciding which type of home you are looking to have built (tract or custom, standard or above-code), there are a few more criteria you can use to narrow down your list of choices. First, select your top three neighborhood choices and thoroughly explore the housing market in each of these areas. Make a list of builders who have lots available in your target areas.
Personally visit each builder on your list, as you can get a good feel for the company by visiting their sales offices. Take note of your experience with each company. Is their office staff friendly and helpful? Do they have model homes to show? Do they offer a home warranty? What about builder financing? Do they thoroughly review the floor plans, custom features, and available decor options? Trust your instincts and go with the home builder you are most comfortable working with, and who you feel shares your vision of the ideal home.
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There are many ways for Florida residents to protect themselves and their homes during a hurricane. Preparedness in regards to supplies, storm shutters, generators, and evacuation planning will serve any Florida resident well. But for residents who want to provide their home and family with the maximum amount of hurricane protection, and who are in the market for a new home this summer, purchasing an above-code home should be taken under serious consideration.
Most home builders who offer these above-code homes are easily found by searching the internet, local real estate listings, and by obtaining referrals from a Florida realtor. Before choosing a builder, home buyers should thoroughly research each candidate. Requesting references from other home owners who have worked with that builder is a common practice, one that reputable builders are more than happy to comply with. Home buyers should pay a personal visit the builder’s sales offices to get a feel for the builder’s staff, available home models, and price ranges.
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In the state of Florida, all home builders must comply with certain building codes before a home is approved for occupancy. These building codes are in place to ensure that all homes built in the state of Florida meet certain safety requirements. Florida state officials inspect each home upon completion to check for code compliance.
Despite the major overhaul in Florida building code after Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead in 1992, home builders in most Florida counties are only required to build homes that will withstand a Category 2 hurricane, with winds less than 120 mph. A few counties adopted code requiring that all homes be built to withstand a Category 4 storm (such as Katrina), but they are definitely in the minority.
For today’s Florida home buyers, a few home builders in the state have taken the initiative to go above and beyond in the hurricane protection they provide their home buyers. “Above Code” is a term used by these builders to indicate this additional hurricane protection.
Above-code homes may include steel reinforced, solid concrete walls and foundations, additional roof trusses, and impact resistant windows. Many of these homes will withstand winds of at least 140 mph (Category 4 strength), and the solid concrete construction protects against leaks and flood damage.
Visit solid concrete wall homes at http://www.affordablefloridahomes.com
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