Tools & Calculators: Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment do I need?
The amount required to put a lot on hold is $5,000 and this amount is applied toward the blue print development. A total of 10% of the project is required for down payment, 5% is due when the hole is dug for the foundation and the final 5% is due when the framing inspection is complete.

How do I sell my current home and coordinate the building of my new home?
Donna is a real estate broker and will gladly do a market evaluation of your current home for you. If you have a real estate agent, we will communicate with you and your representative throughout the home building process so you can plan accordingly. Or, Donna could market and sell your current home to coordinate the sale with completion of your new home. She also has a team that works closely with her so you never have a problem talking to a real person.

What should I expect to pay you to market and sell my current home?
If you build with Homes by James, we are a full-service MLS company and will do all of the work for you, including marketing, open houses, purchase agreement, financing of your new home (if you want help in this area), arranging for the title work on both houses, and arranging for the closing. We will be there for you through the whole process. Our rate for these services does vary, but you will be pleasantly surprised. All houses are different and we quote each one independently.

How do I even begin to select tile, lights, carpet, paint, windows, siding and everything else that goes into a new home?
Don't worry. We work closely with each home buyer, providing one-on-one consultation whenever you would like assistance in making or evaluating your selections. We also give every buyer a "Homes by James Blue Book" with planning sheets, contacts and other information to keep you organized and track your budget throughout the selection process.

What is the time frame? How long does it take to build a house?
It really depends upon the time of year. We tell our customers that it is approximately 120 days from when we dig the hole. However, the actual time depends upon the size of the house and the interior finishing details.

What if I don't have 10% to put down on the building project?
Don't worry. We will sit down with you and help you coordinate financing options.

I don't want to move twice. Do I have to?
We are experienced with this situation and we do our very best to make the entire process a wonderful experience. If you list with us, the sale of your home will be entirely your call, and we will guarantee you the best advice to help you make any decisions regarding your sale.

How do I know what schools my children will attend?
We have information on schools, including phone numbers and websites so you can quickly access the information you need to answer all of your concerns and questions.

How can I find out about the neighborhood? Is it safe? Are there children in the neighborhood for my children to play with?
We will also offer you resources where you can check out cities, neighborhoods and local demographics to ease your mind and make sure that the neighborhood is a good fit for your needs and preferences.

Can I build any kind of home, or are there covenants that have to be followed?
All of the neighborhoods where we build have covenants. This is a good thing for you as a buyer. Covenants define common expectations for the neighborhood, so the investment in your new home will not depreciate because of odd colors, unusual structures, and tiny homes, homes with no garages, mobile homes, huge boats or unsightly vehicles parked in your neighborhood. Living in a neighborhood where there are no covenants can be very stressful.

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