New Construction Upgrades to Avoid!

[@HungNguyen-se8dn]

01. Cabinet hardwares. 02. Light fixtures. 03. Colorful paint. 04. Extend square-foot. 05. Crowned moldings. 06. Closet organization. 07. Swimming pool. 😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@jaysantos536]

1:25 - Appraisals - GREAT point about not going crazy for upgrades at design center because as appraiser will RARELY give a "dollar for dollar" adjustment (unless nearly every house in area has it) and a LOT of times NO adjustment. Example is kitchen cabinets.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Thank you so much for watching👍

[@joelmamdeoliveira4936]

Thank you for the tips

[@sweetcountrybear]

Helpful, as we are getting a home built and design center trip soon...thank you!

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

I am so glad it helped👍

[@thedude5040]

I did all kinds of upgrades including lights and cabinet hardware, but in my build there was no design center

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Yes I know a lot of builders either did away with design centers or options all together. Congratulations on the new home!!👍👍

[@thedude5040]

@@MatthewAllenRealtor well maybe things just work different in kansas because some project management was on me. Instead of a design center I went to individual hardware stores for selections so estimates and purchase orders could be made, and had to double check that all the different vendors got the right selections and make changes as things became backordered. So I went to flooring store, a local place that specializes in counter tops, then somewhere for cabinetry, lighting, brick, doors, sherwin williams for paint colors, appliance centers, landscapers. Then I worked with the electrician because I myself had to install a structured media closet, network patch panel, surround sound speakers in the basement, and a fiber internet line, because the electrical contractor refused to install them. So yes I really did strap on a head lamp and took my drill, step stool, spool of 14awg inwall speaker wire, and shop vac at night before to finish my tasks on time so the electrician could close out the rough ends and outlet in my media closet before drywall went up the next afternoon. I also had the electrician install wiring for an electric infrared heater on the deck that I finished the installation and wiring after closing. No Im not an electrician. 5 bed 3 bath house ~2750sq ft for a total of $315k which includes 0.33 acre lot with a pond view, over sized 3 car garage, two 50A car chargers, backup generator hookup, landscaping, trees, sod, irrigation, outdoor storage, screened deck, ef5 tornado safe room, 96% gas furnace/15 seer AC. I went into detail because even though there was work on my end i think I got alot of value compared to what other people pay on their new builds.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

@@thedude5040 wow that is amazing! You were deeply involved in that home for sure. It sounds like it paid off for you though. Sounds like one awesome home for a pretty good value. I don’t know of anyone here that has gone to those lengths 👍. I appreciate the feedback and thank you for taking the time to watch.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Not pretty good value… a WOW value. That’s incredible

[@thedude5040]

Just incase anyone is curious the price i paid and closed was in november 2021

[@sarahsmith3302]

Great info, but I jumped out of my seet at the end of the intro “and without further ado” bang bang bang lol but I was able to grab some great notes!!!

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Sorry about that...lol I am glad it was helpful!

[@Walteramirez]

What about water falling the kitchen island?

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Hello! Thanks for commenting. That can sometimes be an expensive upgrade but really hard to do after the sale because you will have a hard time matching the top if it’s not done together. If it is important to you though, perhaps you can negotiate with the builder for a discount on it. 👍

[@flyingburritobro68]

Waste of money and it is trendy and will go out just like barn doors etc.

[@pc0086]

Should I get a built in fireplace, or should I buy a portable fireplace later on? We rarely use it. Will really appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

This is a great question. It really depends on what you are using it for. …Warmth or esthetics. We have a working fireplace if you like the traditional wood smell and feel. Otherwise a built in one works just fine to give you the same feeing.

[@aroofinspector7180]

Fireplaces are terrible from a roofing stand point, as a roof inspector, they are probably the most likely source of water intrusion. Not worth it especially since you won't use it much, instead, invest in a backyard firepit

[@pc0086]

@@aroofinspector7180 thank you so much!! That is such a brilliant idea to build an outdoor fireplace!! 👏

[@flyingburritobro68]

Fireplaces add a lot of value especially a gas direct vent type with a nice stacked stone surround

[@pc0086]

@flyingburritobro68 thank you for the input. It will be our forever home, don't plan to sell in the future. The current house we built 10 years ago, we only used the gas FP like 5 times. Not practical for us.

[@favored4life]

What do you think about upgrading to the 3 door glass slider?

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Thank you for the question. I think that is a reasonable upgrade and will provide some value as long as the upgrade cost is not super expensive!

[@favored4life]

@@MatthewAllenRealtor thanks, what's not crazy expensive to you?

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

@@favored4life I would ask where do you live and what is the cost of that upgrade?

[@favored4life]

@@MatthewAllenRealtor I live in Maryland but we're relocating to Houston.

[@natasha88799]

We have our design center appointment next week. What so you think about changing the bathroom fixtures and doorknob/hinges?

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Gosh, I’m sorry I missed this question. Honestly fixtures and hardware are going to be much more cost effective for you to do yourself later. Let me know what you decided.

[@natasha88799]

@@MatthewAllenRealtor Thank you! We ended up getting everything in the matte black and $5600 later I’m not sure it was worth it.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

@@natasha88799 Well the good news is home values keep going up. Where abouts did you purchase?

[@natasha88799]

@@MatthewAllenRealtor Wesley Chapel

[@HoloHoloAdventures]

Great information. I appreciate it.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Awesome! Thanks for Watching

[@FIGNAS83]

Prices aren't that bad 🧐

[@js-dz5bs]

What are your thoughts on Impact glass vs storm shutters?

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

I apologize for the delay in this response. I think there is some validity to storm shutters however in Central Florida it is very rare for wind speeds to require these. But who knows with climate change, they may start to be more common.

[@tscoff]

My thought is the impact glass also helps to insulate the house and is more energy efficient.

[@sridharyakkanti4147]

no builder offers pool

[@gkwn7436]

Plz look at cabinets backsplash etc

[@stevenmott6668]

How much does adding a 3rd car garage usually add to the cost?

[@boaty9714]

Ours was going to cost 13k to add on the extra third bay. Worth it but our lot didn't have the extra room :(

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

It really depends on the builder, the size of the garage etc. Definitely, something you could ask a local builder.

[@EastCoastReefer]

$19,500 here in Northern Virginia for a new Pulte construction.

[@arlenelee3881]

Are builders using pipes that don't expand during a freeze.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

That’s a great question however we really don’t experience freezing pipes down here fortunately.

[@arlenelee3881]

You must not be from Texas because last year all our pipe freeze after that snow storm.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

@@arlenelee3881 No Florida! But I graduated from Baylor!

[@mikewhite9818]

ALL water pipes expand when it freezes. PEX allows the most expansion without bursting.

[@flyingburritobro68]

Pex isnt used up north by most quality builders in my area. Still use copper. Code in many areas still as is conduit vs Romex wiring. Labor union driven but you get quality vs cheap work

[@avesselindeed]

Great thanks

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Appreciate the feedback

[@solfridhjelmas2980]

Thank you very helpful.

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

I appreciate the feedback

[@eny3000]

I have my design appointment tomorrow and this was super helpful! Thank you

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Gosh, I'm so sorry, I did not get a notification on these responses. That is awesome, I am glad it helped!

[@ericmeadows367]

Do most new construction homes come with wifi thermostats or will that be an upgrade?

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

It depends on the builder. Some do but a lot do not. There would be a mark up on something like that so I would probably just buy a nest when they are on sale. - Thanks for watching! Matt

[@MatthewAllenRealtor]

Let me know your favorite upgrade!

[@sridharyakkanti4147]

Dude no one upgrades paint stop sayong the obvious....

[@JRamirezRealty]

New homes often times come with egg shell white paint. To “upgrade” to a color paint which includes a more satin finish, is about 8k for the whole house. This type of upgrade is actually not that bad.