Tips from a property expert to ensure the best deal when buying a home in a new development

Like motor cars and many other production line items, new homes can vary greatly in quality and price, says Rowan Alexander, Director of Alexander Swart Property. Nevertheless, buyers quite rightly expect the home to conform to near-perfect standards of workmanship, even when they have bought from one of the less established or less reputable developers. 

Sometimes homes have clearly not been built to the standards anticipated by buyers. The fittings and features are cheap and not long lasting; the paints, tiles, kitchen and bathroom hardware are the least expensive on the market; and in worst cases the walls are not completely straight, the floors uneven, the window and door frames do not fit neatly into the structure and the doors are badly hung.  Some developers make use of a variation clause found in many contracts, to reduce the expected size of the home without giving the purchaser any compensation. 

Alexander cautions buyers of new homes to carefully check the reputation of the developer. Visit his previous projects and see how they look after a year or more and ask for the names and contact numbers of customers who bought from him previously. If these checks prove satisfactory the buyer can agree to a sales contract with some confidence. If, on the other hand, they show that the developer has not produced quality work or kept his promises, delivered late and does not have satisfied customers, it would be foolish to hope for the best and sign a contract with him. 

A contract with a developer should include carefully worded warranties and guarantees on the products used and on certain general matters relating to the expected standards. These can go some way to lessening the buyer's risk. Buyers should be particularly wary of the extras they might be charged for by the developer. For example, they might find that the water used during construction on their site is reflected in their initial meter readings; or be overcharged for apparently minor alterations and extras such as burglar bars, blinds or different tiling installed at their request. They may even be required to pay architect's fees on alterations or additions done on their behalf. It is essential that buyers get to grips with, and understand all the implications of the contract they are asked to sign. In some cases arguments and even court cases have bedevilled buyers' enjoyment of homes for months after taking occupation. 

Alexander added that these warnings certainly do not mean that all developers are suspect. "At Alexander Swart we have been working on sales and marketing of developments whose developers are 100% ethical, truly professional and without fail produce a high quality product which grows in value ahead of the general rate year by year." 

It is possible, adds Alexander, that in today's market the homes may be smaller than those middle class buyers are accustomed to. Better lifestyle estates often compensate for this by having excellent communal facilities such as landscaped open spaces, gardens, members' clubhouses, gyms and outdoor entertainment facilities. Experience has shown that these facilities add very substantially to the value and residents' enjoyment of their homes. It therefore pays hands down to buy where such facilities are part of the project and are delivered early in the handover schedules. 

For further information please contact Rowan Alexander on 082 581 3116 or by email : rowan@asproperty.co.za