Tag

new construction

17 articles tagged with "new construction"

7 Smart Ways to Use Your 1% Rebate When Buying a New Construction Home

The 1% cash-back rebate from Ease is real money — $7,000 to $15,000+ depending on your home price. Here's how to put it to work most effectively.

February 16, 20264 min

hoanew construction

The Real 5-Year Cost of HOA Fees on a New Construction Home

HOA fees seem small monthly — but over 5 years, they add up to a number most buyers haven't calculated. Here's the full math, plus how to evaluate whether HOA value makes sense.

February 14, 20264 min

mello rooscfd

Mello-Roos Explained: What It Is, How Much It Costs, and How to Evaluate It

Mello-Roos is one of the most misunderstood costs in California new construction. Here's a clear explanation — plus how to evaluate whether a community's CFD is worth it.

February 12, 20264 min

closing costsnew construction

New Construction Closing Costs in SoCal: What to Expect and How Credits Help

Closing costs on a new build in Southern California typically run 2–3% of purchase price. Here's the full breakdown — and how to use builder credits to offset them.

February 10, 20264 min

loan estimatemortgage

How to Read a Loan Estimate for New Construction (What Matters Most)

The Loan Estimate is the most important document in your new construction purchase. Here's exactly what to look at — and what builders hope you'll ignore.

February 7, 20264 min

negotiationbuilder incentives

How to Negotiate New Construction Incentives (Scripts That Work)

Most buyers leave incentives on the table because they don't ask the right way. Here are the exact scripts and timing strategies that work with builder sales reps.

February 5, 20264 min

builder incentivesnew construction

Builder Incentives Explained: What They Are, How They Work, and What to Ask For

Not all builder incentives are created equal. Here's how rate buydowns, closing cost credits, and design center allowances actually work — and which to prioritize.

February 3, 20264 min

new constructionwalkthrough

New Construction Final Walkthrough Checklist: 47 Things to Inspect Before You Close

The final walkthrough is your last chance to catch defects before you own them. Here's a comprehensive checklist — room by room — for new construction.

February 1, 20265 min

new constructionappliances

Appliances and Window Coverings in New Construction: What's Included and What's Not

New construction homes often don't include appliances or window coverings by default. Here's what to expect, what to negotiate, and what to budget.

January 30, 20264 min

hoabuilder incentives

Can Builders Pay Your HOA? What 'HOA Paid' Incentives Actually Mean

Some builders offer to cover HOA fees for 12–24 months. Here's what that incentive is actually worth — and when to take it vs. ask for something better.

January 28, 20264 min

rate buydownbuilder incentives

Rate Buydown vs. Price Cut: Which Is the Better Deal on a New Build?

Builders rarely cut price — but they do offer rate buydowns. Here's how to compare them honestly and figure out which puts more money in your pocket.

January 25, 20265 min

negotiationbuilder incentives

How to Negotiate Builder Incentives in Southern California (2026 Playbook)

Builder incentives aren't charity — they're a negotiation. Here's the specific playbook for getting more from your new construction offer in SoCal.

January 22, 20266 min

buyer rebatenew construction

How California Home Buyers Can Get 1% Cash Back (Without Doing Anything Extra)

Most buyers don't know their agent earns a commission at closing — and that you can get a portion of it back. Here's exactly how the Ease rebate works and what to expect.

January 15, 20264 min

closing costsnew construction

Closing Costs for New Construction in California: The Complete 2026 Guide

Closing costs on a California new build typically run 2–3% of purchase price. Here's every line item explained — and how builder credits can offset them.

January 12, 20264 min

new constructiontimeline

New Construction Timeline Reality: What Actually Happens Between Contract and Close

The builder said 8 months. It took 14. Here's an honest look at new construction timelines in California — what causes delays, and how to protect yourself.

January 10, 20264 min

mello rooscfd

What Is Mello-Roos? A Plain-English Guide for California Home Buyers

Mello-Roos CFD assessments add hundreds per month to some California home payments. Here's what they are, how long they last, and how to evaluate them before buying.

January 8, 20264 min

hoanew construction

HOA Costs Over Time: The 10-Year Math Every New Construction Buyer Should Run

HOA fees compound over time — and most buyers don't run the full 10-year math before committing. Here's the calculation, plus how to evaluate HOA value.

January 5, 20264 min

Get your incentive plan (free)

Send us the community link + your budget. We'll tell you what to ask for — and help negotiate. Plus 1% back at closing.