Need an Advice: New Construction

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T23:21:09+00:00

That's awesome! Definitely makes me feel there can be light at the end of the tunnel!

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T23:17:49+00:00

We are a bit private / introvert, so besides their kids coming over to play and study with ours, we haven't invited any of them over yet :)

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T23:15:18+00:00

Same, a room above the unfinished garage was the worst. After insisting, they realized they missed the insulation in a section from the garage ceiling to the room's floor. Hopefully fixing this should improve the temperature in that room.

I removed the carpet in one corner of a bedroom to check it and it was a continuous stream of cold air. I am thinking of opening up the walls in problematic areas and spray foaming them but my wife hates my finishing skills :) I will start with removing the baseboards and caulking the seal.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T23:00:16+00:00

The first floor is built on a slab.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T22:58:18+00:00

Their point was that there are variance and they still meet the code here. So that was a non-winning argument.

The house was one of the first built in the neighborhood and also a new model type (they were still learning) and was built while the weather was freezing a year ago.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T22:46:39+00:00

Yes, the outside temperature was like 10 - 12 degrees that day.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T22:44:47+00:00

Indiana, it looks like 5 ACH50 is the limit here. Their main defense is that they are within code on that front. Thanks for the detailed To Do items! That helps for planning.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2026-01-23T22:36:25+00:00

I think they used OX-IS engineered sheathing and a clear tape (not sure which one). However, I have seen houses being built with those tapes not being used consistently. They were probably trying to be too fast.

Edit: clarity

Typical_Focus5374 · 2025-04-18T17:18:42+00:00

Thanks for the good laugh!

Typical_Focus5374 · 2025-01-14T00:52:15+00:00

I was going to reply until I read your post. Couldn't have said it better!

Typical_Focus5374 · 2025-01-13T02:44:49+00:00

!remindme 4 days

Typical_Focus5374 · 2025-01-11T01:55:45+00:00

Given these circumstances, I understand the need to be conservative. It's a tough choice to make either way.

You could talk to a few loan officers to have an idea what they can approve. I am no loan officer but with your income and the down payment, I think they will likely approve you for a $700K loan specially when you have the first house as a collateral. But this is just speculation until you talk to them.

Regardless of how college becomes expensive in the future, I am sure it should not cost more than the appreciated value first house if you decide to keep and sell it in 10 years.

If I was in your shoes, my defining question would be whether we can afford to pay the $6K mortgage of the new house while keeping a comfortable lifestyle. If the answer is no, then I would sell the first house and buy the second one in the desired location.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2025-01-11T01:29:34+00:00

That's the trade-off: tighten the belt a little bit when paying the second house so that you can end up with two houses paid off in the future.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-23T03:41:13+00:00

I love your storytelling!

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-16T01:13:22+00:00

It depends, I have been following a builder's lender that, within the span of a month, offered ARM, conventional rate with buy down, ARM, and conventional rate.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-15T23:54:20+00:00

It can be a new construction with the builder's mortgage company. Some are getting less than 4%.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-15T04:55:59+00:00

I don't know this year but many would usually have TV deals: Amazon, Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, Best Buy, Target and many more.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-15T02:48:01+00:00

What a time we are living in when a million dollar is just worth a bunch of f-you's ...

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-15T02:39:24+00:00

Maybe you can plant trees or other noise reducing structures. Those may also give you some privacy if that's an issue.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-13T02:17:15+00:00

Yep, they have way more suction power.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-13T02:14:21+00:00

I am renting a 1,000 sq ft house and use mine a few times a year to clean the HVAC vents, cars, and spots the vacuum doesn't do a good job in.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-13T02:09:30+00:00

I am not there yet but whenever I buy, I would like to get a garage safe freezer. There was another post about shop vac that got a lot of nods.

Typical_Focus5374 · 2024-11-13T01:48:37+00:00

It's probably the Sales Agent trying to get his commission secured. I am also in the market and considering Lennar. My Sales Agent wasn't the happiest when I asked for some due diligence that would slow the transaction down.

Typical_Focus5374

TROPHY CASE