Whether you

are buying a condominium, a townhouse, a single-family home in a subdivision

or a custom built house, you want to know that you are buying a good quality

home from a reputable builder.

The home builder

must understand how the home's complex systems work, pay attention to

detail and coordinate various contractors in a team effort to build a

quality product. So, you should choose your builder as carefully as you

choose your new home.

Before you

begin your search, ask yourself some questions. What type of home do you

want? In what price range? Where?

After you have

answered these and other important questions about the new home you are

seeking, you can address the question of who should build it.

A good place

to start your search for a builder is with your local home builders association.

Most builders associations can provide a list of their builder members.

To find out

how to contact the builders association in your area, visit the National

Association of Home Builders Web site at www.nahb.com and click

on the heading "state and local associations." While you are

logged onto the Web site, check out the section "Especially for Consumers,"

where you may find other useful information to aid in your home search.

An exciting

tool available for new home buyers is the www.HomeBuilder.com Web

site. HomeBuilder.com, the official new homes Web site of the National

Association of Home Builders, lists more than 17,000 builders nationwide

and more than 120,000 homes for sale. It also includes information on

how to find a custom builder, the planned community of your dreams or

a mortgage lender.

The real estate

section in your local newspaper is still a good source of information

about builders who are active in your area, the types of homes they are

building and the prices you can expect to pay. Also, you can ask friends

and relatives for recommendations or check with local real estate agents.

When buying

a new home, you are not buying just a structure. Along with the structure

comes a package of services, and the quality of those services will have

an important effect on your enjoyment of your home. For instance, most

homes come with a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials.

Since virtually

every home is going to need at least minor adjustments and repairs of

warranty items during the first year, you should look for a builder who

will provide quality service after the sale.

The best way

to learn about the quality of service a builder offers is to ask previous

customers. If you are buying a detached home in a subdivision, a townhome

or a multifamily condominium, find out what the builder has recently built

in the area near where you are buying. Then visit some of the previous

projects and ask the residents about their experiences with their homes

and their builder. The best time to visit is usually a Saturday morning

when people are out doing yardwork or chores.

Don't be shy

about approaching people. Knock on some doors if you have to. In most

cases, a builder's previous customers will be open with you. Try to talk

to at least three or four homeowners in each neighborhood. You should

not rely solely on the views of only one person.

Ask questions

like: Are you happy with your home? If you had any problems, were they

fixed promptly and properly? Would you buy another home from this builder?

Take notes so you can make comparisons later.

Remember that

cost is not a direct measure of quality. High quality combines good design

and fine products and materials with superior workmanship and proper installation.

Just because

one home is less expensive than another does not mean it is a better value.

Likewise, a more expensive home may not mean better craftsmanship.

Look at the

quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry,

carpeting, trimwork and paint. Ask the builder a lot of questions. Get

specifics, take notes and never hesitate to ask questions.

A home is one

of the largest and most important purchases you can make. If you do your

homework, ask questions and come prepared, you will develop knowledge

and a sense of confidence that will help you to make the right decision.

If you have

any questions about selecting a builder, contact the home builders association

in your area for assistance.

(John Hayes,

who is with Torrey Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association

of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 461 builders

and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether

counties.)

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