buying a house

[turbodish]

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It'll be less of a headache to buy an existing home, I guess that's all I'm trying to say. You take additional risk when you buy new.

When you buy new you get a house built to the latest building code and using the latest materials. You get the latest heating, AC, plumbing, etc technologies. You also get a new home warranty through Tarion that covers various defects under 1 year, 2 year, and 7 year warranties depending on the nature of the defect. As long as you are diligent in filing warranty claims before the respective deadlines, any builder who wants to keep building new homes in future has a lot of incentive to correct the defect.

You get none of that when you buy a used home. You may get a home with older wiring, less-than-current standards of insulation or ventilation, older heating and AC equipment of unknown structural soundness, etc. The previous owner may have made structural or electrical/plumbing changes that fall short of "sound" practice. A home inspection might help cover you *** a bit, but home inspectors are not regulated or required to be licensed.

In other words, a used house is often more of a crap shoot than a new one as far as the building itself is concerned. The question mark is more about how the neighbourhood feel will be. That's where an existing house in an already established neighbourhood has a potential advantage.

 

[braveheart]

 

[TomC]

http://tributecommunities.com/index.cgi?d=showHomes&c=6

there was an article in the paper recently where a man in the gta was suckered into a deal where the builder kept asking for more money even after the contract was tendered, now the buyer is going after the builder in court (i wish i could reference the article)... In any case, do not - even for one second, believe that whatever they tell you that you will be getting - will be guaranteed. The faux line-ups at many of the sales offices - tons of marketing and sales tactics are used on new and unsuspecting families...as naked had mentioned you may be subject unwelcome delays and changes, not to mention unforeseen costs

I get the impression that you are buying the sales office' propaganda since you are so gung-ho that you know how everything will turn out perfect without your actual house having even been built yet - a sample community is nice to look at but it isn't yours. If you haven't already done so, get on the buildinghomes forum...it wouldn't hurt to arm yourself with at least some home buying knowledge.

That being said, there's pros and cons to both. I purchased used due to the fact that new houses in my area would cost $100k extra (my house is 5 yrs old). I found something I liked - layout and size wise and i jumped on it, also I didn't have to wait for anything and could start living in it immediately and renting rooms out. New is good if you like the customizability and the piece of mind that your house is new - and hasnt been subject to any illegal activities like grow ups, murder, weird funky smells form ethnic families that eat weird **** - having extra time to make payments may be of benefit as well. New is probably 'safer' out of both options but you definitely pay a premium for that.

 

[ZX600]

obviously, you dont watch baseball. cuz you aint batting 300. ( good ) you be batting .000 ( and thats crap )


why should we copy and paste, and do all the hard work ?

Paul can you ban Yetti again please, he doesn't understand sarcasm

 

[Nyx13]

If you go through with the purchase and the home isn't completed, go by as much as possible and let them know you're checking things out. People I work with have horror stories about their new homes and I can tell you horror stories about my century old home. Works both ways I'm afraid It's always a good idea to keep an eye on things though if you're in that position...although it doesn't always help.


Sorry... I know that's not a helpful answer. At all... LOL!

​

 

[ZX600]

http://tributecommunities.com/index.cgi?d=showHomes&c=6

there was an article in the paper recently where a man in the gta was suckered into a deal where the builder kept asking for more money even after the contract was tendered, now the buyer is going after the builder in court (i wish i could reference the article)... In any case, do not - even for one second, believe that whatever they tell you that you will be getting - will be guaranteed. The faux line-ups at many of the sales offices - tons of marketing and sales tactics are used on new and unsuspecting families...as naked had mentioned you may be subject unwelcome delays and changes, not to mention unforeseen costs

I get the impression that you are buying the sales office' propaganda since you are so gung-ho that you know how everything will turn out perfect without your actual house having even been built yet - a sample community is nice to look at but it isn't yours. If you haven't already done so, get on the buildinghomes forum...it wouldn't hurt to arm yourself with at least some home buying knowledge.

That being said, there's pros and cons to both. I purchased used due to the fact that new houses in my area would cost $100k extra (my house is 5 yrs old). I found something I liked - layout and size wise and i jumped on it, also I didn't have to wait for anything and could start living in it immediately and renting rooms out. New is good if you like the customizability and the piece of mind that your house is new - and hasnt been subject to any illegal activities like grow ups, murder, weird funky smells form ethnic families that eat weird **** - having extra time to make payments may be of benefit as well. New is probably 'safer' out of both options but you definitely pay a premium for that.

I agree with some of your comments but I haven't bought into any sales office propaganda because they haven't giving me any yet, part of why I like this builder so far, sales pressure free so far.


I agree with turbo and buying used is not a consideration at this point, we found the perfect house for our needs and the only way I would get out (I have until next Sunday) would be if I hear people with experience on this builder saying they are crap but so far nothing but good feedback.

this is the place where my kids will grow and trust me I am been very careful, I will follow Ur advice and go on the forums to get some reviews about them.

 

[ZX600]

If you go through with the purchase and the home isn't completed, go by as much as possible and let them know you're checking things out. People I work with have horror stories about their new homes and I can tell you horror stories about my century old home. Works both ways I'm afraid It's always a good idea to keep an eye on things though if you're in that position...although it doesn't always help.


Sorry... I know that's not a helpful answer. At all... LOL!

lol, it is good advise. I have been there so many times already and will continue tk go weekly until the place is build some time next year. You are invited to the house party ;-)

best part is englishjay is like 5 min away so pajama parties every Friday nigh

 

[W8INLINE]

Hey ZX600,

here is a forum that I found A while back, and covers prety much every area around GTA. You might find people from the same neigbourhood as you but an earlier phase, that could give you an idea on specific issues with your builder... I found and became friens with about 6 current neigbours of mine, before my house was even built, and others in the area that had moved in a few months before me compared notes with things wrong with their homes etc.


http://www.buildinghomes.ca/community/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=48

 

[crankcall]

Through my work i have a connection to the building business, I havent heard anything bad about tribute that wasnt resolved favorably. All builders will have some issues, its how they resolve them and Tribute seems ok.

There is not much i can think of that is more stressful than buying, building or selling a house. For most of us its a big bag of money to juggle. I've been through all three a couple times, and custom building vs. subdivision house isnt better, just different.

As turbo said in his first paragraph, new you get latest codes and insulation values and wiring and plumbing. That doesnt always work out, remember aluminum wiring, urea insulation and aluminum windows before the thermal break rule and early generation cement based siding? They met code......
usually what gets approved is better.

If allowed visit the job site often, during the day when trades will see you and site supers will notice and dont be a pain in the arse, but let them now your around. The house is built by subtrades, and do overs and call backs are out of thier pocket, they dont like that much.

I dont like new subdivisions because stuff happends around the area you have no control over, bus stop in front of your home, giant mailbox sets, transformer and phone box stuff. But thats just me.

There are no such things as free upgrades, its like free accessories on a new car, the costing is buried in there someplace. Nothing is ever really free.

 

[ZX600]

Hey ZX600,

here is a forum that I found A while back, and covers prety much every area around GTA. You might find people from the same neigbourhood as you but an earlier phase, that could give you an idea on specific issues with your builder... I found and became friens with about 6 current neigbours of mine, before my house was even built, and others in the area that had moved in a few months before me compared notes with things wrong with their homes etc.


http://www.buildinghomes.ca/community/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=48

thanks,I will spend some time there for sure.

 

[ZX600]

Through my work i have a connection to the building business, I havent heard anything bad about tribute that wasnt resolved favorably. All builders will have some issues, its how they resolve them and Tribute seems ok.

There is not much i can think of that is more stressful than buying, building or selling a house. For most of us its a big bag of money to juggle. I've been through all three a couple times, and custom building vs. subdivision house isnt better, just different.

As turbo said in his first paragraph, new you get latest codes and insulation values and wiring and plumbing. That doesnt always work out, remember aluminum wiring, urea insulation and aluminum windows before the thermal break rule and early generation cement based siding? They met code......
usually what gets approved is better.

If allowed visit the job site often, during the day when trades will see you and site supers will notice and dont be a pain in the arse, but let them now your around. The house is built by subtrades, and do overs and call backs are out of thier pocket, they dont like that much.

I dont like new subdivisions because stuff happends around the area you have no control over, bus stop in front of your home, giant mailbox sets, transformer and phone box stuff. But thats just me.

There are no such things as free upgrades, its like free accessories on a new car, the costing is buried in there someplace. Nothing is ever really free.

appreciate the feedback, you are right about the surprises as you never know but there isn't much I can do about that, we took a bunch of things into consideration when we picked the lot but you never know

 

[Jayv]

appreciate the feedback, you are right about the surprises as you never know but there isn't much I can do about that, we took a bunch of things into consideration when we picked the lot but you never know

After the house warming party your warranty will be void.

Brooklin welcomes it's first Mexican resident.

P.S make sure your woman doesn't hang her knickers out to dry during the day.

 

[ZX600]

After the house warming party your warranty will be void.

Brooklin welcomes it's first Mexican resident.

P.S make sure your woman doesn't hang her knickers out to dry during the day.

I am already planning my first pinata party with mariachis and everything

 

[klr_guy]

We're in a Tribute home, same development as 2live&ride oddly enough. We've been here since new, coming up on 8 years. No issues came up that Tribute wasn't quick to make right.
We love the house and a new development often has a higher proportion of younger couples and lots of kids always playing on the street.

 

[ZX600]

We're in a Tribute home, same development as 2live&ride oddly enough. We've been here since new, coming up on 8 years. No issues came up that Tribute wasn't quick to make right.
We love the house and a new development often has a higher proportion of younger couples and lots of kids always playing on the street.

ahh that'sg ood to hear, that's what I am looking for, a nice safe place for kids to hang and play soccer and baseball in the street like I used to, kids need to get out more these days

 

[promac]

Tribute has been around for a long time and is probably among the largest home builders in Canada. As a high volume residential home builder, they must be doing something right. That being said, a home is only as good as the materials and labour put into it. The only way to know for sure is to look into the suppliers and trades that are servicing your area. Areas that can give you the most grief are the roof, foundation wall, weepers and windows. Make sure the builder uses dry lumber and not green and certainly not a combination of the two. Check your walls and ceiling for bowing, cracking, etc, frequently, while in your home warranty period. Also consider the stage of your neighbourhood development. You may lose patience with construction noise and dust. I believe Monarch has the best reputation for quality and service. Springtown makes a pretty decent home as well and I'm sure there's many others.

 

[Jlin]

I've purchased a new home recently and boy is it stressful when it comes to selecting decor. They've only given me 7500 dollars in free upgrades in the decor center and that will only cover the kitchen cabinet upgrades. Do yourself a favour and leave the home as basic as possible and upgrade with smaller contractors after the house is built. Everything in the decor center that's assigned to your home is over-priced. They wanted 500 dollars for a water saving toilet and 500 dollars to add a microwave shelf under the kitchen cabinets. Also, the closing date on your new home is tentative and they can delay it up to two months or more.

 

[Freestyle72]

I think it largely depends on the builder, madamy and tribute seem to build quality homes. The house is on phase 7 and looking the neighbourhood and phases they already build it seems they are good quality and good finishing details, plus 40k on free upgrades, grass in the entire property plus trees in the front included, it looks like they want the neightbourhood to look good from the get go.

Spent 1 year living in a Mattamy home (renting) before I bought my 1950s built house this summer. I can tell you the build quality is garbage. Leaks around ALL the windows and doors. They look absolutely fantastic until you live in it for a year and you start noticing the little imperfections EVERYWHERE. I am not a picky person, but for what it costs to buy a new home. No thank you. Way too many corners were cut on that house. In the basement wiring left hanging and unsecured. In the garage there was a random gouge in the drywall completely out of reach maybe like 10ft up on the wall. Stuff like that. Definately was not impressed with the build quality.

 

[infernobuster]

I hope im invited to the party myself .. EJ is just around the corner from me.

I live in a tribute home, in a different phase of that same community. I ve only had to call them once and they did a great job. Neighbour across the road has called them for everything, and they have never failed to come through yet.

Youll enjoy Brooklin, small but growing community. Where are plenty of yummy mummies during the day roaming around, while daddy is at work. Community has a large community of police, fire and ambulance drivers that live there.

 

[ZX600]

I hope im invited to the party myself .. EJ is just around the corner from me.

I live in a tribute home, in a different phase of that same community. I ve only had to call them once and they did a great job. Neighbour across the road has called them for everything, and they have never failed to come through yet.

Youll enjoy Brooklin, small but growing community. Where are plenty of yummy mummies during the day roaming around, while daddy is at work. Community has a large community of police, fire and ambulance drivers that live there.

thank you for the feedback. It is nice to know i have people I know around. Got a nice 20 year old bottle of rum we'll pop open once I move in...in a year from now

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