Cincinnati Builder News & Property Updates

Who wouldn’t prefer a custom home built for their individual needs and lifestyle? More expensive? Yes, but well worth the investment. Below, we explain why. Production Homes Buyer Overview: • Home and lot are selected as a package - usually there are a choice of lots • Homes are part of a tract or larger community of similar new home construction • Build process is automated with limited interaction from the home buyer • Select house plans are established by individual builders • House plans are generally a reflection of regional building trends • Select materials and design options from a standardized menu • No flexibility of how the home is situated on the building lot • Good choice for first and second time buyers, down sizers, and those desiring a hands-off experience. • Price range - $150,000 - $500,000 With this type of construction decisions are made easy for the buyer. Everything...

Cincinnati has many established communities with a feel that newer outlying subdivisions have yet to equal. There is something about the tudors of Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout, the gaslit streets of Mariemont, the lush, rambling beauty of Indian Hill and even Cincinnati’s rising gem - eclectic, historical Montgomery. These communities take us back with walkability, public squares, quaint business districts, mature parks, and most of all - great older homes. It’s a sense of the established and being closer to the city that make these residential areas more popular, but it does come at a price. Opportunities are becoming harder to find. That means that prices are rising. Quality homesites are in demand With the dilemma of moving further out of Cincinnati to acquire a lower priced lot, it has become a popular option to seek old-stock homes in disrepair, but in quality neighborhoods, tearing do...

What standard features do your homes include? What options and upgrades can I select? This is a open-ended question as there are so many levels of home building, but it has merit at all levels. You may be surprised what is standard to one builder and optional to another, no matter what the price point. Do you subcontract work? Can I choose any or all of my subcontractors? “Subcontractor” is not a dirty word. In fact, they provide flexibility to help keep schedules on track, maintain budgets and bring expertise in specific areas. A good builder/subcontractor partnership can bring much to your home construction. That said, these relationships carry a delicate balance. One that is time-tested for success. It is recommended that you let your builder select sub-contractors, for assurance of quality, timelines met and potential liability issues. How many homes do you currently have under const...

How many years have you been in business? Experience tells more than just about any other question that you can ask. It is the foundation for building expertise that should be on display in recent home completions for you to make a judgement on. How many homes have you built? This is a direct reflection of how sought after the home builder is or how new they are to the business. Do you have references I can talk to? If the answer is no, begin a search for another builder. Your builder should have numerous satisfied customers who are willing to offer a personal endorsement of quality, craftsmanship, service and value. What are your strengths in building that separate you from other builders? Hearing a home builder’s business philosophy personally from them can tell you volumes. A short list of things to listen for are: planning stage attentiveness (listening), ability to offer design dive...