Personalizing Your New Home
As discussed elsewhere in this booklet, most builders offer a range of upgrades, from materials (countertops, tiles, fancier trim) to features (crown moulding, more substantial doors or windows). This is how many people distinguish their homes, personalize rooms to match their lifestyle, or increase resale value.
Builders sometimes offer bonus packages and other incentives that include upgrades so be sure to inquire if any offers are available for the house you are considering. It is often much less expensive, and certainly less disruptive, to install upgrades during original construction than to install them later through a renovation. But be aware of additional costs and the fact that some of your personal preferences may not appeal to subsequent buyers. The most important point to remember is to clarify with sales representatives what is standard and what is an upgrade in any model or document you are looking at. The builder’s “features list” normally exactly matches the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, but it is the latter that counts.
