New Construction Homes for Sale in Northeast PA

Buying New Construction in Northeast PA

New-construction listings in our market fall into three groups: finished spec homes you can walk through today, to-be-built homes where the builder owns the lot and you choose the plan and finishes, and lots sold by a builder who will construct the home for you. Each is bought a little differently, and the sales representative at a model home works for the builder, not for you. Having your own agent costs you nothing extra in most cases and gives you someone to review the builder contract, the allowances for finishes, the upgrade pricing and the completion timeline before you sign.

What to check before you commit

• Lot and utilities. Confirm whether the lot has public water and sewer or needs a well and an on-lot septic system, which requires a passing soil test approved by the township sewage enforcement officer.
• Inspections. A pre-drywall inspection and a final inspection by an independent home inspector catch problems the municipal code inspection does not cover.
• Warranty. Ask for the builder’s written warranty terms and what the workmanship, systems and structural coverage periods are.
• Taxes. A newly built home is reassessed after completion, so budget for property taxes based on the finished home rather than the vacant lot.
• Financing. To-be-built homes often need a construction-to-permanent loan or a builder deposit schedule; a mortgage calculator helps you compare the monthly cost of a new home against resale options.

Looking for land to build on instead? Browse land for sale, or contact Button Real Estate and an agent will walk you through the new-construction communities in the area you want.