All things New Homes ( subdivisions )

Buying a house seems like a nightmare. I can't wait for all the excitement that awaits when I begin looking...

Originally Posted by IceMan77

Buying a house seems like a nightmare. I can't wait for all the excitement that awaits when I begin looking...

It is, but stressful at the same time. Lawyer's fees, builders, picking upgrades, and all that.

what are people's thoughts on Tarion? They helped me with a complaint but basically sided totally with the builder when our condo corp raised deficiencies with the common areas (which would have been quite a bit more $).

is it common for the buyer to pay the property taxes when building anew house starting from the purchase agreement date?? shouldn't it be from the possession date???

Hello all, I was looking for the same type of info, found the yahoo group and a new site the other day, looks like it is just getting started, but might be a good place for common type of questions for new home owners, its a jungle out there and the best place for info I have found is other buyers in the same areas.....

Anyway check it out.....

http://www.finishmyhouse.com

Originally Posted by pika_sil

is it common for the buyer to pay the property taxes when building anew house starting from the purchase agreement date?? shouldn't it be from the possession date???

If I remember correctly, it's from the possession date. The lawyer figures it all out when you get closer to the date.

Originally Posted by steveNu

Hello all, I was looking for the same type of info, found the yahoo group and a new site the other day, looks like it is just getting started, but might be a good place for common type of questions for new home owners, its a jungle out there and the best place for info I have found is other buyers in the same areas.....

Anyway check it out.....

http://www.finishmyhouse.com

Thanks for the link! I would have thought there would be so much more information on the web about these builders. I guess now is as good of a time as any to get things rolling!

Originally Posted by spdztr

If I remember correctly, it's from the possession date. The lawyer figures it all out when you get closer to the date.

it says on my purchase agreement under adjustments, as an exception, "property taxes are the customer's responsibility from date of purchase agreement" it's not very clear is it? does it mean from the date i signed the agreement, or the date of possession specified in the agreement. i just want to make sure it's the builder's responsibility up to possession date? the sales person hasn't answered my call yet....grrrr!!!

Originally Posted by pika_sil

it says on my purchase agreement under adjustments, as an exception, "property taxes are the customer's responsibility from date of purchase agreement" it's not very clear is it? does it mean from the date i signed the agreement, or the date of possession specified in the agreement. i just want to make sure it's the builder's responsibility up to possession date? the sales person hasn't answered my call yet....grrrr!!!

Are you still in your conditional period where you can get a lawyer to review? If so ask them to change to wording in the agreement so it is more clear and specifies it's from the possession date.

Originally Posted by hax3

Are you still in your conditional period where you can get a lawyer to review? If so ask them to change to wording in the agreement so it is more clear and specifies it's from the possession date.

i'm not getting my own lawyer. but i still have the conditional to financing clause in place. and they already deposited my deposit cheque! is that right? aren't they supposed to deposit it after all the conditions are removed?

I bought a Mattamy in Oakville last year, took possesion earlier this year and so far no major problems.

There were indeed small ding here and there, all fixed within very reasonable time. I had one "more serious" problem with the basement, that was not properly leveled out. Mattamy contacted the company that did the job and they came and fixed it for me.

So far, I'd buy from them again.

About improvements, liek another post says, I'd buy things that are proven to be difficult. I got my oak stairase and it was the best investment ever.

I'd URGE you to get a lawyer and revire your purchase agreement.

Some builders have contracts that givem them SO MUCH power that you just cant believe.

For instance, imagine a contract signed by you, stating that the builder has the right to cancel the purchase agreement 90 days before the closing date, and sell it to someone else for a higher price if the market has "changed too much" from the time construction begun. Yes, I've seen a lawyer stating he found such conditions on some contracts.

Originally Posted by pika_sil

i'm not getting my own lawyer. but i still have the conditional to financing clause in place. and they already deposited my deposit cheque! is that right? aren't they supposed to deposit it after all the conditions are removed?

Originally Posted by laptop-tech

I'd URGE you to get a lawyer and revire your purchase agreement.

Some builders have contracts that givem them SO MUCH power that you just cant believe.

For instance, imagine a contract signed by you, stating that the builder has the right to cancel the purchase agreement 90 days before the closing date, and sell it to someone else for a higher price if the market has "changed too much" from the time construction begun. Yes, I've seen a lawyer stating he found such conditions on some contracts.

well the builder is using the standard alberta new home warranty contract. i asked a lawyer before and he said there's not much he can change on the contract since it's the standard one. and besides, i didn't put down lawyer's review as a condition. can i still make changes if i find anything wrong with the contract?\

i just talked to the saleslady and she said i have to pay for the property taxes for the land until it's built! is that normal?? even if it's only about a hundred dollars because the house is not built yet?

Originally Posted by pika_sil

i just talked to the saleslady and she said i have to pay for the property taxes for the land until it's built! is that normal?? even if it's only about a hundred dollars because the house is not built yet?

They're not going to charge you just $100, they are going to charge you the ENTIRE amount...... the tax is based on square-ft, doesn't matter if there;s a house on it or not.

Also be careful with buying a house, half of them you have to rent the heater because it's not bought but rented