Real Estate

I started cleaning brand new homes in the early 90’s, then I believe I charged the builder 5 cent per square foot and so much for each window. Does anyone know how much that would be today? I know it’s changed from when I did this before and I don’t want to charge to much or to little. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank You
Merry Christmas

The most obvious thing to do is to pose as a builder who is getting estimates for your own service by calling a couple of your competitors. Price yourself in the same ballpark.

I live in California and am looking to buy a house with a basement. However, it seams as if they no longer build basements in new homes because there isnt one on the market. I wondering are they illegal?

Not illegal, just too expensive and impractical to make them. The soil isn’t good for it (I can’t imagine trying to keep a foundation from shifting when I can dig holes with my bare hands), the water table tends to be high, and I am pretty sure that you would have to do some special stuff to make it meet earthquake codes. All in all, too much expense for what the market is willing to support. I have actually seen one older home with a partial basement, but it was really just a hole dug in the dirt and lined with concrete. The house had a crawl space under it, so you could stand on the basement stairs and look out through the crawl space, so it wouldn’t be waterproof or anything like that.

I want to become a home builder soon,and i was wondering what degree i need to become a home builder.

You don’t need a degree. You need a contractor’s license. If you’re talking about designing them, you want to be an architect.

I am form Winchester last few months I am planning building a home & searching for high quality blueprint of the home plan, I heard about atrium custom homes is it true they use high quality architectural CAD software with 3D interior and exterior view and please suggest me any architecture name they use high quality architectural CAD software & original blueprint.

Hi David it’s a common problem in Winchester city I also find too difficult job to find good architectural I also heard the name of atrium custom homes & eddy jabre team the provide high quality specifications, along with original blueprint of the home plan and they use high quality CAD software & offer full view of your home before start building. They are celebrating 25th anniversary of designing modular homes they provides home plans that are not intact but flexible enough to meet customer demands and requirements

With the price of real estate predicted to be dropping in 08, does it mean that brand new homes, which today are already selling for cheaper than used homes, will be even cheaper next year? When do you guys think will be the best time to buy?

You stand a better chance at getting a deal on a ‘used home’ in any event. The builder/developer has a fixed cost involved in the property, and is unwilling to go below a certain point. Private sellers are different in that regard, for a variety of personal reasons. The best time to buy is NOW, when prices are seriously depressed.

Why would you wait, and run the risk of not being able to obtain a mortgage at today’s rates ? Any savings you might make by waiting for property prices to drop a bit further will evaporate with one or two quarters of a point in your mortgage rate.

What you views on Modular homes?
Im thinking of getting one.

They are BETTER built than stick built, are far cheaper, and appraise just as stick-built do. Do your OWN research. Google crest.com for specs and how they are made. All are made the same. I worked for a Crest dealer, so I’m familiar with their web site.

Your local yellow pages will give you the dealers in your area. Ask your questions there, NOT here.

Do NOT confuse the word "modular" with "manufactured". 2 COMPLETELY different animals.

Just got my voucher in the mail saying im approved for HUD and that I can pick it up on the 16th of this month. I thought it might be a good idea to get a jump start and not wait until the 16th to find a home. However its been hard finding places that accept HUD and I dont even know where to start,

Your case worker will give you a list, it is not public.

My mom is in the hospital right now but when she gets out we are going to be moving.
Only problem is it has been nearly impossible to find homes for rent in Northern Michigan, Ive went up and down craigslist,google etc… and maybe found 5.

Is there another way to do this ?
Any suggestions ?

Most people with apartments to rent don’t use Craigslist. You’ll be much better off checking the local newspapers. You should be able to find them easily on line.

I live in Coeur D’ Alene Idaho. Starting to house shop. I cant seem to find a good website with a home I am looking for. I want a home on 5 acres or so- Any one know where I could search?

I don’t know if they are good or not, as I haven’t tried them, but here are some:

http://www.cdarealtors.com/
http://www.coldwellbanker-idaho.com/
http://www.21goldchoice.com/
http://www.realtor.com/coeurdalene/nbregion.asp?st=id&source=web
http://www.lakecityteam.com/
http://www.lakeshorenw.com/
http://www.kwcda.com/

Hopefully these will help you.

I know that people selling homes for a builder make pretty decent money. I have a real estate license and they usually don’t want you to have one but I only use it for apartment locating not selling homes but still deal with clients constantly. Will they make me put my license inactive. What is the best approach to landing a job such as this?

You would have to have your license under whatever broker they contract with. They can not sell them without a license, it is illegal.