A new construction home gives you choices that a resale home does not. It also asks you to make expensive decisions before you have lived in the space, watched water move across the lot or seen the finished view from every window.
In Grandville, Hudsonville, Byron Center and other West Michigan communities, new homes can be sold at several stages. You might reserve a homesite, choose a plan before work begins or buy a completed spec home. The right review depends on where the project stands, but the goal is the same: understand the property, the contract and the unfinished costs before you commit.
Compare the real home with the model
A model home is built to make a strong first impression. It may have a premium elevation, upgraded flooring, added windows, finished lower-level space or landscaping that is not included in the advertised base package. Ask for a written list of what is standard in the home you are considering and what in the model costs extra.
Study the floor plan rather than relying only on the decorated rooms. Confirm dimensions, storage, window placement and the location of mechanical equipment. A mudroom can look spacious until coats and shoes move in. Garage depth matters if you drive a larger vehicle or need room for lawn equipment.
Understand the lot and everything outside the walls
Two homes built from the same plan can have very different site costs. Ask whether the price includes the lot premium, permits, utility connections, driveway, final grading, lawn, irrigation, landscaping, exterior steps and any required sidewalks. If an item is not listed, do not assume it will be there at closing.
Walk the homesite and look beyond the foundation stakes. Where will rainwater and snowmelt move? How steep will the driveway be? Will utility boxes, drainage features or easements affect the yard? Ask which survey, site and grading documents are available.
Municipal requirements vary across West Michigan, sometimes even between properties with the same mailing address. Confirm the actual city, village or township responsible for permits and land-use questions. If the home is part of an association, review its documents for exterior rules, maintenance duties and ongoing charges.
Read the builder contract before paying a deposit
A builder's purchase agreement may work differently from the contract commonly used for a resale home. Read it before signing or delivering a deposit. Pay attention to what makes the agreement binding, whether the deposit is refundable, how the completion date is described and what happens if materials, costs or construction timing change.
Look for the process governing upgrades and change orders, including when payment is due. Also review the terms for financing, appraisal, inspections, cancellation and product substitutions.
A real estate agent can help organize the transaction and flag questions. An attorney familiar with Michigan construction contracts can explain legal rights and obligations. If a deadline or clause matters to your decision, get the answer in writing rather than relying on a conversation at the model home.
Build a budget for allowances and unfinished work
An allowance is a budgeted amount for a selection that has not been finalized. It is not necessarily the amount needed to buy every finish displayed in the showroom. Ask what each allowance covers, which vendors you must use and how the builder handles a selection that costs more or less.
Keep a selection sheet with the base item, chosen upgrade, price difference and approval date. Small changes can add up when finishes are selected in separate meetings. Include taxes or builder fees if the contract applies them to upgrades.
Leave room in the budget for work that may happen after closing. Window coverings, appliances, a deck, fencing, landscaping or basement finishing may not be included. Some work may also require approval from the municipality or association, so check before treating it as a simple weekend project.
Match financing to the construction timeline
Financing depends on whether you are buying a completed home, having the builder finance construction or arranging a construction loan. Discuss the structure with a lender who has reviewed the builder's process.
Ask when the lender needs the contract, plans, specifications and upgrade totals. Find out how a rate lock works if completion moves, when the appraisal will occur and how changes to the final price affect the loan. A preapproval based on the starting price may not cover a higher total after the lot premium and selections are added.
An appraisal is an independent opinion of value for the lender. The cost of an upgrade does not guarantee an equal increase in appraised value. Before approving a large change, understand how you would cover any difference if the loan amount does not rise with the contract price.
Plan inspections before construction moves ahead
New does not mean there is nothing to inspect. Ask the builder what independent inspections are allowed, when they may occur and how much notice is required. Depending on the construction stage and your agreement, a qualified inspector may be able to review the home before drywall, near completion or both.
Early review can make some components easier to see. A later inspection can focus on the finished home. Ask the inspector what each visit can cover because access, weather and construction progress may limit the view.
Builder quality checks and municipal inspections serve their own purposes. They do not replace a buyer's independent review. If a concern involves structure, drainage, environmental conditions or another specialty, bring in the appropriate professional rather than asking a general inspection to settle it.
Keep decisions and changes in writing
Details can get lost between the sales office, field team and trade contractors. Keep the signed agreement, plans, specifications, selection sheets and approved change orders. Check that any decision affecting price or materials appears in the project record.
Visit only when the builder permits it and follow site safety rules. At scheduled meetings, compare progress with the current documents. If something appears different, ask before later work covers it. Photos taken with permission can help you remember the location of utilities and framing, but they do not amend the contract.
Use the final walkthrough and warranty period well
The final walkthrough is a chance to compare the completed home with the agreement and document items that need attention. Test doors, windows, fixtures and included appliances. Look at finishes in normal light, review the exterior and ask how incomplete seasonal work will be handled if weather prevents completion before closing.
Put open items on the builder's required form. Ask for operating manuals, warranty documents and service contacts. Understand how to submit an issue and when coverage ends. A lawyer can review unclear warranty language.
West Michigan weather can reveal conditions that were not obvious on closing day. Watch drainage during heavy rain, learn the home's winter settings and follow the builder's maintenance instructions. Keep records of service requests and responses.
This article provides general real estate information, not legal, lending, appraisal, engineering, inspection, zoning or construction advice. Contracts, municipal requirements, warranties and property conditions vary. Use the current written documents for the home and consult the professionals responsible for each part of the decision.
If you are considering a new construction home in Grandville or elsewhere in West Michigan, call or text me at (616) 856-1492. I can help you compare the total cost, track the questions that need answers and keep the purchase focused on how the finished property will work for you.
Rennie Barton
REALTOR® and broker/owner, City2Shore Arete Collection. Questions about this post? Call or text (616) 856-1492.