Tips from Realtors and Buyers to buy a home

Choosing a home.  Besides selecting a career, a mate, or starting a family, it’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make.

Home shoppers who do their research before purchasing report significantly higher satisfaction levels post-closing than those who don’t.  In short, if you’re willing to ask questions and get answers up front, you’re more likely to get what you want long-term.

So before you buy, take a look at the tips from realtors and new homebuyers who’ve recently chosen Rodrock Homes.  What you learn could make your homebuilding decision that much easier.

Consider Community

“Community matters because you’re not only buying a home, you’re buying a lifestyle,” says Leslie Feeback with Better Homes & Gardens Kansas City Real Estate.  Think about where you spend your time and what you love to do.

“I have a lot of family that lives up north, so I wanted easy access to that part of the city,” explains Jessica Curtis, who chose Rodrock Homes’ Wyngate neighborhood for its proximity to I-69.

As mom to a three and five-year-old, Curtis also chose Wyngate for its walking distance to award-winning schools.  “The Blue Valley school district was important for us too,” says the homeowner.

Curtis’ aunt and realtor, Jennifer Hufft of Hubb Realty, says the reputation of a community’s developer also counts for a lot.

Because Wyngate’s developer, Rodrock Homes, is tied to a three-decade legacy of developing Johnson County neighborhoods, she recommended Wyngate to her niece.

“We like the Rodrock sense of community,” says Hufft, who points to extra amenities like nature trails, zero-entry swimming pools, kids’ play parks, and neighborhood-wide events that create closeness among neighbors.

Look for Longevity

When choosing a builder, consider their long-term track record.  Remember, you’re not just signing a contract, you’re building a lifelong relationship–with a partner who should stick with you throughout the building process and years after the house keys are in hand.

Terry George, Sales Agent with Keller Williams Diamond Partners, recently helped clients choose a Rodrock home in the company’s Summerwood community.

“They wanted to go with a solid company with a lot of good experience that had been around awhile,” explains George, who cautioned his clients about builders and developers he’s seen come and go over the years.

Ask About Process

Creating a home can be either fun or frustrating depending on the process your builder employs.  Select a team with both the people and processes in place to make your project run smoothly.

“Rodrock uses only the best contractors and makes the process simple,” says Hufft, who adds that Rodrock’s Project Manager, Kristi Maurer, makes sure she’s copied on every communication.

“Kristi sends me photos too of our home as it’s being constructed,” says Curtis, who lives out of town.  “It’s fun to see it with my own eyes.”

Engage Your Agent

 Choosing a builder who works well with your agent is just as important as choosing one who works well with you.

Cathy Maxwell, a Senior Sales Executive who achieved top-five sales with ReeceNichols last year, recently collaborated with Rodrock Homes on the building of her clients’ Lancaster III 2-story. “They’ve always been trustworthy and gracious,” says Maxwell.  “They respect buyers’ agents.”

Find a Floor Plan with Flexibility

If you don’t already have a floor plan, find a builder who can help you select from a variety of plans and modify one to fit your family’s lifestyle.

After she toured a Twigs Interiors’ furnished model in the Summerwood community, Jessica Curtis chose Rodrock Homes’ Hepburn II for its open first-floor design.  “We have young children, so I can watch them playing in the great room and yet still be working in the kitchen,” explains Curtis.

Selecting a builder who will customize your floor plan is even more vital. Cathy Maxwell’s clients have young children and the husband works from home.  “Rodrock offered to triple insulate his first floor office, so that the kids could play nearby and not bother him,” says Maxwell.

Expect Above and Beyond

Select a builder who cares as much about your home as you do.

“There’s definitely more of a family touch associated with Rodrock Homes,” says Maxwell, who notes the company is owned by three brothers-in-law.  “There’s that feeling that they’re blending their family with your family.” Extras like free interior design from Kansas City’s award-winning Twigs Interiors lets Rodrock homeowners know they’re valued.

Hufft agrees it’s services like these that set Rodrock Homes apart.  “In today’s society you can’t just do what’s expected, you have to go beyond,” she says.

See for Yourself

Finally, seeing is believing.  To see five model homes furnished by Twigs and and even more showcase homes, visit Summerwood and Wyngate models open seven days a week.