Buying/Building a new house - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

wooohooo · 06-17-2009, 12:57 AM

So I've recently got into the mood of buying a new house and I'm looking to spend ~500 to 600 000. What are your guys' thoughts on buying at a time like this and what are some good builders and floor models? Lastly, the one I'm interested in is pretty much priced to sell, would I be able to bargain on other things like furniture allowance or upgrades?

Thanks in advance

lucky1 · 06-17-2009, 02:45 AM

Asking about builders is a pretty subjective thing......the builder is only as good as its contractors. Cardel used to be a really good builder, and they took pride in the fact that they kept their contractors thru the good times and bad....but times have changed. I have heard good things about morrison homes on a pretty consistent basis though.
Everything is negotiable in this economy..builders are hurting!!!!!

Nage Waza · 06-17-2009, 07:00 AM

I would avoid Cardel, since my house is falling apart. I might have to redo the drywall in a GOOD PORTION of my house, and Cardel won't do anything about it. I promised them I would warn every buyer I come across from now on.

I lived in the west, Aspine Hills - Montreaux area. I really like it and there is a great new shopping area just about to open up. We are also sandwiched by some of the more expensive houses in the city, the slopes. The mall opening up, the slopes and general location make our property values very secure.

nickerjones · 06-17-2009, 07:09 AM

^^^^ how old is your home, and what do you mean when you say your drywall is falling apart?

Madman · 06-17-2009, 07:34 AM

I've built 2 Shane Homes in the past 2 years and have built a total of 5 new homes through 4 different builders. I can say without hesitation that my Shane homes and experiences have been hands down the best.

ken0042 · 06-17-2009, 07:43 AM

I recently heard on the radio somebody advertizing price protection through 2010. Might be something to look into to cover your butt.

Rerun · 06-17-2009, 08:23 AM

Coming from someone who just bought a new house (well not really new... it was built in 2004) now is a good time to buy.... particularly if the builder has built the house on spec. They have a lot of inventory now and the market is still down. You can get a good price on a house that is already built as the builders are pretty desperate to reduce their inventory.

I doubt if you will get much of a deal if the house hasn't been built yet.

Frankly, I prefer to buy a house that is already a 3 or 4 years old. That way, if there are any problems they have already been fixed or are readily apparent.

Jedi Ninja · 06-17-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky1

Asking about builders is a pretty subjective thing......the builder is only as good as its contractors. Cardel used to be a really good builder, and they took pride in the fact that they kept their contractors thru the good times and bad....but times have changed. I have heard good things about morrison homes on a pretty consistent basis though.
Everything is negotiable in this economy..builders are hurting!!!!!

In the > $500K segment, you will still have some leverage, but in the < $500K starter SFH segment, you can forget about it, things are absolutely crazy right now, it's almost like 2006. Overall, the CREB website is reporting barely over 2 months inventory for SFH right now. By any measure, that is a seller's market.

troutman · 06-17-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

In the > $500K segment, you will still have some leverage, but in the < $500K starter SFH segment, you can forget about it, things are absolutely crazy right now, it's almost like 2006. Overall, the CREB website is reporting barely over 2 months inventory for SFH right now. By any measure, that is a seller's market.

This is what I see too - homes in the $300K range are selling right away, some getting multiple offers.

moncton golden flames · 06-17-2009, 08:50 AM

buy innner city for that kind of dough.

Rerun · 06-17-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

In the > $500K segment, you will still have some leverage, but in the < $500K starter SFH segment, you can forget about it, things are absolutely crazy right now, it's almost like 2006. Overall, the CREB website is reporting barely over 2 months inventory for SFH right now. By any measure, that is a seller's market.

For the last month or so, I've been regularly checking the mls listings for houses in the $400,000 to $500,000 range in Okotoks, and frankly I don't see a lot of movement there.... other than prices being dropped.

I suspect its even worse for houses that are priced over $500,000.

IMO, its still a buyers market for anything over $425,000.

4X4 · 06-17-2009, 09:54 AM

What areas are you looking to build in? Outskirts or inner city?

alltherage · 06-17-2009, 10:03 AM

My Fiance and I have been looking at houses, and let me tell you, new house prices are completely out of touch with the market, and are ridiculously priced compared to houses 2 or 3 years old.

We looking in Chaparell Valley yesterday, and Cardel Duplexes started at $355k, whereas in Evergreen you can find front attached garage, fully detached homes starting around $330k. It was a major eye-opener for us.

Bagor · 06-17-2009, 10:21 AM

Did the Mike Holmes houses in Okotoks ever get started/finished/go on sale?

I see he's parade marshall for the stampede this year.

Gozer · 06-17-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky1

I have heard good things about morrison homes on a pretty consistent basis though.

Morrison has won Builder of the Year at the SAM awards for 8 years in a row.

Madman · 06-17-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagor

Did the Mike Holmes houses in Okotoks ever get started/finished/go on sale?

I see he's parade marshall for the stampede this year.

Nope - nothing has been started and I don't even see any survey work or marketing stuff for that matter there.

moncton golden flames · 06-17-2009, 10:54 AM

if i had that kind of money to spend, i'd be looking at houses/neighbourhoods like this.

http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetail...ertyId=8179047

KTown · 06-17-2009, 12:35 PM

Don't by Douglas Homes, absolutely the worst customer service I've ever heard about.

FlamesKickAss · 06-17-2009, 02:44 PM

Anyone have anyway to get around that down payment thingy? Landlord is looking to renew or sell to us

Bill Bumface · 06-17-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moncton golden flames

if i had that kind of money to spend, i'd be looking at houses/neighbourhoods like this.

http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetail...ertyId=8179047

Pretty sure that's not what someone who is looking at 2000+ sqft monsters is going to be interested in.

Personally I love parkdale/Hillhurst/West Hillhurst. So expensive though. If you go a tiny bit North or a bit East of there though you can get brand new places around 2000 sqft for near that price.