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Experience Homes

Nov 01 2019
building a new home

The best time to begin the home building process.

By Buying Process, Home Trade In, Moving Process
Perhaps, you are planning on having your new family home built soon, but you aren’t yet quite sure exactly when is the ideal time to move out/in. Or it may be you have already decided on a season or month when you want to relocate but aren’t sure how long it will take to custom build your new home OR sell your current residence.

Here is some timely, helpful advice to help you better plan and organize your upcoming transition!

When Is The Best Time To Relocate?

There are numerous factors that can affect your decision on the ideal time to relocate. But the most common time of year for moving is summertime and for good reason.

Summer gives you good weather, for the most part. It may be a bit hot and sunny, but at least you avoid the cold and the rain, which are the two worst weather elements when trying to move all your household goods – especially if moving long-distance.

Also, the kids are out of school during the summer and are between grades, which means they don’t have to transition mid-school year. And it also gives you the option of simply combining your move with your summer vacation!

When Should I Start Building My Dream Home?

You say, “I want my new home built and move-in ready by this summer.” If so, how early should you start having your dream home built?

In general, it can take 6 months to a year to custom-build a new home. The exact time will vary depending on the size and complexity of your new home, the weather, city zoning, and the remoteness of the location.

Talk to a custom home builder in the Amarillo Area to find out how long the building you envision would likely take to build from start to finish.

How Long Does It Usually Take To Sell A House?

Typically, it takes only a couple of months to sell a listed home, but it is not unusual for delays of 6 months or more to occur.

That’s why it often makes sense to opt for a home trade-in plan to streamline the transition process. A home trade-in program lets you synchronize your move-out and move-in date, avoid paying a realtor, and avoid possibly having to carry two mortgages for a time.

Experience Homes can speed up the moving process by beginning construction on your new home with as little as $500 down (or by using home equity for the down payment) and by assisting you in finding needed financing. They also offer a convenient home trade-in program. To learn more, contact Experience Homes today!

Oct 09 2019
Home for sale in amarillo

Building A New Home: How to Choose the Right Builder for the Job.

By Buying Process, New Construction

Home builders amarillo

Owning your own home is only half of the American Dream. The other half is living in a home that fits your exact preferences because you had it custom-built with that in mind.

But your dream home doesn’t just have to remain a mere dream – building a new home can be affordable and practical. It can become a reality. Choosing the right builder for the job is a big part of making that happen, so here are 4 key tips to help you locate your perfect contractor.

1. Always Put Quality Workmanship First

Quality comes first, plain and simple. Even if you are on a limited home-building budget, far better to build a smaller home that is built right than a larger one that is built sloppily and with low-grade materials.

You don’t want to have to handle repairs, additions, and adjustments to the building later on due to poor workmanship. And the higher the quality, the greater the longevity of the building – which means your long term investment is preeminently safe and sound.

2. Research The Builder & His Past Customers

Choosing the right builder for the job starts with investigating the basics: verifying the builder’s licensing, insurance, and warranties and reading references from past customers of the builder in question.

See if you can look through a portfolio of the builder’s past work, and don’t be afraid to ask pertinent questions. Also, see if the builder is a member of a local building contractor’s association and if he has a file at the BBB or at similar organizations.

3. Make Sure Customization Is “Taken Seriously”

You want to custom-build your dream home, so you want more than two or three cookie-cutter options. That’s not true customization.

Look for a builder who will work with you on custom-building your new home down to the details. Size, floor plan, room connections, fixtures, flooring/carpeting, lighting, appliances, and more can all be customized.

4. Consider Affordability & Timing

You have to find something in your price range, so look for variety here. Also, consider a home trade-in program to synchronize the move-out/move-in timing: home trade-ins mean no realtor fees, no house showings, no overlap period with two mortgages, and no stressful uncertainty about when you have to move out of your old home.

Experience Homes is one of the premier custom home builders in Amarillo and the whole North Texas Panhandle. They have a long track record for quality and an excellent home trade-in program. Contact Experience Homes today to learn more!

Sep 16 2019
home in progress

Costs Associated With Building and Financing a New Home

By Buying Process, New Construction

All excitement aside, building a new home can be a rather daunting experience. Typically, combining all the fittings and features you want into your ideal house, while doing it on a budget can be far from simple.

If you are building your perfect home or an investment property, what determines the decision-making process and the ultimate outcome is the COST. Nonetheless, while the costs may vary from house to house, your distinct approach to the process of building it can make a considerable difference.

That said, what are the actual costs associated with building and financing your home? Let’s break it down…

How much does it cost to build a house?

While there is no correct standard figure on how much it costs to complete a house building project, the minimum average cost of building a home usually ranges from $125 to $150 per square foot. Nevertheless, the total cost of every home building endeavor is dependent on various distinct factors, some of which include:

  • Land: While calculating the overall home building costs, the worksite plays a significant role in the final figure. Usually, with property, you may incur lot preparation expenses depending on the nature of the land. Is it sloping or flat? How will you tailor it to suit your home’s design and plan? All these factors add to the lot preparation fees and hence, the overall cost to build a house.
  • Government Regulation: Typically, before you start your construction process, you must satisfy all the appropriate house regulations. Usually, this can include permits, fees, and inspections all which cost a substantial amount of money to fulfill.
  • House Specifications: Finally, the specifics of your house also contribute to the total house building costs. Your unique house specifications add to an array of expenses which you must prepare for including utility fees, material costs, and labor costs, among others making it impossible to estimate a one-size-fits-all house building figure.

A Cost-Effective Approach to House Building

Undoubtedly, house building can be a rather costly affair. Nonetheless, if you are planning to build your ideal home, but you are working on a budget, various home building companies can offer you a reprieve. Besides their expertise, they also provide exclusive programs such as the remarkable Home Trade-in program by Experience Homes.

Experience Homes alleviates your stress with their exclusive Home Trade-in Program.

Basically, with this program, Experience Homes trades your existing home for a new home! We buy your current home on the same day you buy a new construction home from Experience Homes. Your existing house equity can also serve as your initial down payment.

Advantages of Home Trade-In Program

  • No realtor fees
  • No house showings
  • Never two mortgages
  • No stress to be out by a specific time

Final Word

Although it can be quite an expensive endeavor, home building can nonetheless be significantly rewarding. With the right mindset backed up by the proper procedures and the right professionals to guide and assist you through it, you might find these home building-associated costs to be abundantly worthwhile.

Aug 01 2019
new home build

How to Find the Perfect Lot to Build a New Custom Home

By Buying Process, New Construction

You have decided to build a new custom home. Congratulations! You have the needed mortgage pre-approval letter, created a budget, hired a builder, and now have the floor plan. The only thing remaining is to pick the perfect place to build and that’s the easy part! You can use a lot provided by your builder or purchase one of your own.

Here are a few tips that will help you find the best lot for a custom home:

 

Survey the Neighborhood

Just because you saw a sign/post for Land For Sale, it doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Do your due diligence and drive around the area at different times of the day. You can tour the neighborhood during the night and see how it looks. Most importantly, visit during the rainy season. Does the area flood?

Furthermore, watch how neighbors interact and investigate about the security in the area and whether or not there are HOA’s. Other factors to consider – How far the place is from work? If you have a car, how long will it take for you to commute? Are you looking for a family-based neighborhood? Are there amenities around such as hospitals, schools, gym, shopping malls, or grocery stores? Finally, evaluate growth potential in the area.


The artificial and natural physical features of the lot will determine the floor plan of your custom home. Some topographies require lots of work that make you spend more than your planned budget.

 

Consider Your Budget

When you’re looking for Land For Sale, one of the most crucial aspects is to consider your budget! The general rule dictates that the lot price should range between 10% to 20% of the total cost of your preferred custom home. Ensure the lot you want is within your budgetary parameters. The best thing to do is to compare different lots within the neighborhood. Also, work with a reliable and reputable local custom home builder to help you identify the lot that suits your budget.


Get Professional Help

At Experience Homes, we have a fantastic trade-in program where you can trade in your existing home for a quality home that suits your families needs and desires.

Call us today to find the perfect lot to build your custom home!

Jul 15 2019
home builders

The Experience Homes “Experience”

By Home Trade In No Comments

“A friend told me about the home trade-in program and I thought it was too good to be true.”

It’s a comment we hear a lot. To be fair, it is a valid point. Trading in your existing home in order to upgrade to a brand new home? It’s not a concept many home builders have embraced so there is not a lot of information out there for buyers. Many people don’t even know that the option exists!

For people who may be interested in exploring the home trade-in program here are a few tips to keep in mind when considering whether the program is right for you.

WE TAKE THE MAJOR HURDLES OUT OF BUYING A HOME.

One of the biggest worries people have when buying a new home is how the timing will work out. Will you have to make two mortgage payments while you wait for your old home to sell? How much time do we have to move once we find a new home? There are so many factors to consider. The home trade-in program eliminates all of those tough questions. We pay to appraise your old home, we buy your trade in property, and we give you all the time you need to move. People who have gone through the home trade-in process say it’s actually easier than trading in a car!

QUALITY HOME BUILDERS

We respect the fact that this is going to be your home. It’s the place where you relax, raise a family, and make memories. We only use the highest quality building materials available.

 

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, WE’RE HERE.

If you’ve never built a new home before the process could seem intimidating. It’s not supposed to be! We are here day or night to answer any questions that you may have. We want to keep lines of communication open to help make you feel as comfortable as possible as your home progresses from blueprint to fully fledged home.

WE MAKE THE PROCESS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.

“I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but it never did. It’s been a positive experience for me.”

We were thrilled to hear that from one of our customer’s because that’s what we strive for. We are committed to making the home trade-in program a positive experience for everyone. You are a part of the process every step of the way and we always value your feedback.

If you are interested in seeing if the home trade-in program is right for you give us a call. We’d love to answer any lingering questions you might have about the process.

Jul 14 2019
new neighborhood

How to Research a New Neighborhood

By Buying Process No Comments

When entering into the home buying market it pays to do your homework. Purchasing a newly built home provides homeowners with a lot of exciting options that aren’t available to those buying an existing home. The ability to choose the floor plan, kitchen cabinets, flooring, fixtures, even the paint colors gives buyers the opportunity to feel like they are truly a part of creating their dream home.

But where do you want to build this dream home? For some people it’s not choosing the fixtures that’s stressful, it’s choosing the right neighborhood. Here are ­­­­­­5 simple tips that will help ensure that the home of your dreams isn’t in a nightmare neighborhood.

RESEARCH THE COMMUNITY

Before you buy, find out as much as you can about the subdivision. Do an Internet search on the schools in the area. Make the drive from the neighborhood you’re looking at to work or school. How’s the commute time? If you work from home, research cable and Internet providers in the area. A picturesque rural setting may not work for you if the Internet service is spotty.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TALK TO NEIGHBORS

So you you’ve scoured the Internet for information about your ideal neighborhood. Great! Now don’t be afraid to go out and visit with neighbors. Strike up a conversation with people out walking their dogs or doing yard work. Talk to them about why they like living there. Most people are more than willing to talk about the things that make their neighborhood special.

MAKE MULTIPLE VISITS

Visit during different times of the day to get a feel for traffic and noise levels in the area. Are the streets well lit at night? Are neighbors out socializing or do they keep to themselves? These are all clues that can help you decide if the neighborhood is a good fit for your lifestyle.

ASK YOURSELF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION

Why do you want to move? Is there something you’ve always wanted that you are missing in your current neighborhood? Sit down and make a list of the things you would like to be close to. Would you rather live in a neighborhood that has a coffee shop down the street or more wide-open spaces? It’s important to be honest with yourself about what you expect from where you want to live.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION

Finally, take a few minutes to sit down and picture yourself living in the neighborhood. What does it look like? If you can see your kids playing outside and family barbecues in the backyard- you’re on the right track.

It can be tough making a major home buying decision, especially if it means switching your kids to a new school or making a drastic change to your daily routine. In the end remember why you wanted to make the switch in the first place, there is something missing that you want to change.

When you are ready to transition into a new home consider all of your options. Our home trade-in program is the perfect way to upgrade into the home of your dreams, in some of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in Amarillo.

Jun 18 2019
rent to own

Pros and Cons to Lease-To-Own Homes

By Lease-Purchase No Comments
Buying a new home can be a complex process, and there are a variety of different approaches you can take that will greatly affect affordability and flexibility.
 It’s important to understand the pros and cons of leasing to own as well as some of your other options.
Rent to own in amarillo texas

Rent-to-own agreements are a popular way to secure the option to buy a new home while avoiding locking yourself into a contract “just yet.”

Pros Of Leasing To Own

Here are the best aspects of a lease-to-own agreement:
  • Rent may be lower than your house payment would be. If you expect to be stronger financially in a few years’ time, that difference could be important.
  • If you aren’t sure yet where you will live years down the road or if you want to buy a particular home, rent-to-own locks in an option without locking you in.
  • You secure the purchase price as well as the option to buy upfront.
  • Buyers with poor credit scores can often get approved for rent-to-own homes, build up credit by paying their rent on time, and ultimately take the option to buy.
  • A portion of your rent normally counts towards buying the home should you eventually decide to do so.

Cons Of Leasing To Own

Here are the main drawbacks to a lease-to-own setup:
  • You may have to pay a little higher price for the house in order to enjoy the flexibility of renting to own.
  • Only a fraction of your rent applies to the purchase of the house, and if you don’t decide to buy, none of it does. All upfront premiums are usually non-refundable.
  • If the home value falls while you’re renting, you might not want to buy anymore. You would then have to go through terminating the agreement, finding a new home/apartment, and moving all your stuff.

Experience Homes’ Trade-In Program

If leasing to own doesn’t appeal to you for any reason, but you dread the ordinary hassle and problems that can come with being “between homes,” Experience Homes’ Home Trade-In Program might be for you.
Here are the major benefits this program offers:
  1. You pay zero realtor fees, which could save you thousands of dollars.
  2. Experience Homes buys your current home as a trade-in and applies up to 90% of its appraised value (the equity in it) to your new home purchase.
  3. You won’t get caught paying two mortgages for months on end, while in limbo between homes.
  4. There is no stress of trying to market your home or move out/in by a preset date. Experience buys your old home on the very day you move into your new one (if you wish.)
To discuss having your dream home custom-built by Experience Homes and/or to talk to us about our Home Trade-In Program, call us at 806-318-8686 or contact us online today!
Jun 18 2019
new houses in amarillo

How to Avoid Realtor Fees

By Selling Process No Comments

Realtors earn a commission called a realtor fee every time they sell a house, and it’s nothing small, amounting to up to 6% of the total house sale. However, it can be maneuvered around.
Certainly, you could just sell and purchase property yourself without using a realtor. That’s easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. A better way might be following a few tips on how to sell your house and either diminish or sidestep fees altogether:
  • Finding The Right Realtor
  • Make Agents Justify High Commissions To You
  • Hold Out For Higher Listing Prices

The Split

If you sold your home for $300,000, a 6% realtor fee would pull $18,000 from that sum. This is a typical commission for realtors. If you use the same agent to buy and sell your home, they’ll take 3% of the sold and purchased properties.
Push for a split between separate realty agencies, or a halved commission. Use two agents instead of one, and let them work with one another. Also, the larger the appraisal of the property you’re buying, the greater leverage you’ll have in terms of diminishing commission.

Make Agents Justify High Commissions To You

Ask agents why you’re paying them such a high commission, and make them prove the worth of such a price. Be sure you know other agencies in the area, and have done your homework. At the very least you can knock off a few percentage points.

Hold Out For Higher Listing Prices

Sometimes realtors will low-ball you on listing prices because they’re trying to work a deal. Holding out for a higher listing can help you offset their commission fee.

Trade-In Programs

Builders (like Experience Homes in Amarillo, TX) sometimes offer home trade-in program. Basically, they appraise your property, and when you buy your new home, they’ll pay you a percentage of the old home’s appraisal.
No realtor fees are involved, you don’t have to do any house showings, you won’t pay two mortgages, and you don’t have to stress out on leaving by a certain time.
Additionally, if you clean things up and do some DIY additions prior to the appraisal, you can increase its worth substantially, helping cover the differential.
Such tactics will give your money greater buying power, and help you secure the best real estate deals.
Jun 18 2019
new homes amarillo

How to Buy New Construction

By Buying Process, New Construction No Comments

Buying a “new construction” home is a little bit different from buying a previously owned home. There is nothing like the feeling of owning something that matches the ideal home you’ve always had pictured in your head. A “used” home can feel like someone else’s dream, not your own. With no previous homeowner, you don’t have to deal with a seller’s emotional attachment to the home, which can influence the negotiating process. Whether you are designing and building a customer home or buying a home that’s built on spec, you only have to work with the builder.

If you are looking in the market for new homes in Amarillo, and are considering a new construction home, here are five easy steps that will help guide you through the process.

CONSIDER YOUR SITUATION

The thought of new construction may mean beautiful new paint colors and shinny granite countertops are dancing through your head. First things first, evaluate your situation. Sit down and decide how much money you want to invest in your new home. It is crucial to know what you can afford based on your income, debt, and credit score.

Don’t forget the overlooked extras like property taxes, insurance, furniture, and landscaping costs. Once you have this number in mind you can decide which new construction options and extras fit your budget and lifestyle. If you are considering selling your current home to get into a new construction home, look into the home trade-in process.

WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

When considering whether new construction is right for you make a list and weigh the pros and cons. New construction tends to be a little further from the city center. Will you mind the commute? Is there a homeowners association and what are the rules? What school district will your children be in? These are all important questions you need to examine in order to make sure you are making the best choice to fit the way you live.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

If you are looking to settle down and build something that you’ll love for years to come do your research. Visit the development and talk to other homeowners in the area. Ask people about the experience they had building their home, what did they enjoy about the process? Read online reviews, testimonials, and news. Visit the builder’s website, read what people are saying on social media, and check out the Better Business Bureau. Every avenue gives you a glimpse into how the builder interacts with customers.

LEARN WHAT’S STANDARD AND WHAT’S EXTRA

Any reputable builder will be happy to answer all your questions. If you have questions about amenities and upgrades, ask! Amenities are features that benefit the entire community. Upgrades refer to added features or items you pay a little extra for to enhance your home. Communicate your ideas with the builder. If you have your heart set on a particular appliance or type of flooring, start that dialogue early and communicate your expectations.

LOOK AT THE HOME WARRANTY

Some builder’s offer a warranty that covers any defects in craftsmanship. Home warranties can vary in length and what they cover. Be sure that any warranty you receive explicitly states what is covered and what isn’t. If there is something that is unclear be sure to ask questions.

 

New HOmes in amarillo

There are many perks to choosing new homes in Amarillo over a previously owned home. Experience Homes is dedicated to making the process a positive one. We work with you to take the dream in your mind and turn it into reality. If you have questions about our floor plans, plats, or how you can get into a new construction home please give us a call and let us work with you.

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