By Beth Benner, December 4, 2019
We started looking for a new home for the Greenes in early 2019. I’ve worked with many families to help find or build their dream homes and I always learn a little something along the way. Each situation and in this case, builder, is a little different. After the Greenes decided they’d really like a brand new construction home, we got to work, looking for the right community and builder to suit their needs and wants for their family. They just closed on their beautiful Holt Homes house this November and I asked them to share some of their thoughts on what they’ve learned through the process.
Here’s the list they came up with:
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Spend time in the neighborhood and try to connect with any new neighbors. We were lucky to have been the 4th home to be built in our cul de sac and even more fortunate to have connected early with the other three families. They shared important insights with us throughout the process!
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Ask about the plans for the full street or neighborhood. We did not think about parking when we started building our home because there were literally only a few other houses under construction at the time.
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If you are buying a home after seeing a “model home” – make sure you understand all the items within the house that would be considered an upgrade. Having this understanding, with costs listed, in writing is extremely important.
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Get every conversation in writing.
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Ask for access to the design options before you have your design meeting. We were surprised by the process at our “design center meeting” and had wished we’d had time to research options prior to the meeting.
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Understand the exterior masterplan for the street and ask for all of your options.
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If you’re interested in upgrades that include things like “hot tub prewiring” make sure you are also aware of the city codes/regulations that could affect the placement on your property.
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Look at and understand all the tiny details. Here are some things we did not think to ask about or look into: light switch placement, closet shelf paint, cabinet color next to trim color (ie: dove white cabinets next to pure white trim), countertop height in all bathrooms, and under-sink plumbing finishes.
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Ask for the exact placement of how your house will not only be placed on your lot but also how your house will align with any neighbors.
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The most important thing we learned is that it is beyond critical to have a trusted real estate professional by your side every step of the way who will advise you and be your champion throughout the process. Beth was able to share insights about what was normal and should be expected as well as hunt down answers for us and in a few cases, go to bat for us. Buying a home is stressful, Beth made it so much better for us and her expertise was invaluable in mansy situations throughout the process.
Beth Benner
Broker | OR & WA
She/Her
Beth has over 19 years of experience spanning more than 500 transactions during her career as a Licensed Broker in Oregon and Washington. In 2023, she earned a spot among the REAL Producers Top 100 producing agents in Portland out of more than 8,000 licensed brokers and she has also maintained her status in the top 5% of all Oregon brokers for eight consecutive years.
Beth is proud to have cultivated her client base on the referrals of the many happy homeowners she’s worked with over the years and through professional relationships with lawyers, conservators, and fiduciaries. She deeply cares about each of her clients and approaches her job as a long-term commitment, aiming to help them make the best investment. Beth is also a local real estate investor, leveraging her expertise and knowledge of the market to make sound investment decisions.
She is a lifelong Portlander and has volunteered with Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels delivery, SW Portland Little League, and serves as an elementary school classroom volunteer. Beth is a devoted mom to three active kids and in her free time, she loves hiking, reading, traveling, wine tasting, and cheering for the Portland Thorns as a season ticket holder.
Real Estate Background:
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- Licensed Broker in Oregon for 19 years and Washington for 17 years
- 48 total personal transactions in 2023
- Multiple investor and repeat/referral clients
- #1 Individual broker at LRR in 2020
- Top 100 of all OR brokers in 2023
- Top 5% of all OR brokers for 8 years
- PMAR Masters Circle Diamond Platinum Member 2016-2023
- Licensed in OR & WA
- T: 503-819-2885
- bethbenner@livingroomre.com
