Hi
going out to Nova Scotia in a few days for three weeks with the intention of securing a property or land with either a turn key package or instructing a builder.
Has anyone any experience with buying land?
We are looking just outside of Halifax,1-3 acres seem to be in the region of $50 - 100K more if you want a lakefront (which we don't).
Would a turnkey package be cheaper than buying the like for like house already built?
We were thinking along these lines as we would then be able to adapt the basic plans to our liking i.e.choosing flooring,kitchen etc.
Has anyone got any tips or things to look out for?
Thanks
mike.

I'll also be interested in replies to this.

Like the avatar Mike...

Hope your brother is getting better still

I'd be interested to hear the replies too - you can buy a few acres near a lake pretty cheaply in Alberta. We'd like a weekend place - building our own would be an option.

Hi LM
thanks.

Must change the avatar,only problem is there's only Duberry left!
Mike
U at the BBQ?

Not this one, I don't come out until the 23/9.

Also.... isn't Duberry a fragrance from the Body Shop?

Yeh,a bottle of splash would probably be more use in the leeds defence.


Obviously not many immigrants build there own.So i'll let you all know 3-4 months down the line of all our mistakes!
mike

I know I'm putting my head into a noose hear,but be really careful! I'm afraid that the construction industry is plagued with rouges.
If you self build try and find some others that have done the same especialy in the locality.get referances and referals to quality trades(not allways is the cheapest the best) It's a bit of a mine field with local goverment permiting.Then there is the banks to deal with a schedule to set up as usually will release the money in phases of completion.ie: ground prep/foundation , Framing to lockup stage Interior/exterior finishes (not paint) and fit to occupy
some now demand hard and soft landscaping to be completed.
purchasing, Lumber have three stores/yards check out you plans,after the local planing dept. has made any changes to meet local codes Get prices for complete framing to lockup stage doors /windows included . same goes for all cert.trades Plumbers,Elec.
If you are still uncomfortable with this you can hire a local semi-retired foreman to watch the job
Buying a house being built at lockup maybe another way to go,then you pick the finishes for the interior and have a credit from the builder for his uninstalled material,you choose your stuff and pay him to install.
but buying a spec.house (with warrenties etc) would probaly be cheaper
Pm me for more info
CMHC puts out several publications in this are

Good luck

Mike,

Spen an hour going through this site.
http://www.ramar.ns.ca/index.htm

I called them yesterday, and floorplan 5i on a turnkey package is $210,000 plus land. Remarkable.

Look at the pictures of model homes, and you see that you get some choice.

I'll be visiting when I come out.

Hi Liftman,
just spent a while looking through that house site, looks great, something we may consider doing at that price. Mike went to NS on sunday so unless he gets access to computer while over there he won't see it. I'm sure he will find something though, barbie on saturday ukjo emailed me said not as many as she thought would be going, must be all waiting for the next one. Thanks for that site will get hubby to have a look later.

I'll be seeing Mike on Saturday so I shall let him know about the site

Hi Jo, thanks for that sure Mike would be grateful for that info, got your email will email back today. how's the weather looking for saturday? talk soon

Hi wendy

The forecast is looking good for the weekend so fingers crossed. Spoke to Corky last night and if our phone call is anything to go by, then its going to be a riotous evening!!!lol. Will no doubt post a picture or two

We bought land on Vancouver island, in April. 2004
We bought through a realator who new the builder, who also owned the land.
he is currently building our house.

We had the most amazing service from our realtor, and lawyer that happened to be next door to his offices. Luckily plans had already been checked by the engineer, and were all to our liking, although we did make a couple of changes not major, and the engineer emailed us the plans, and e modified them on our computer, emailed them back for hom to approve.

The realtor drew up the contracts in two days, working flat out with the builders solicitor, he ran around between us and them personally. We included everything from the colour of the paint to the bathroom fixings in the contracts. Everytime we made a change they were re-typed and re signed by everybody. We took photographs of a similar hosue the builder had made, to choose flooring facias etc. driven by our realtor.
We visited our builders suppliers to chose extra items that he could get discount.

We did a great deal of research before we bought , location , location, location, very improtant. We visited twice, and chose our realtor well, we visited lots of ready made off the peg houses,but nothing came close to the location of our land. Our house will be 4 bed 2 bath, rancher on1 acre what can I get in UK for that??

Our solicitor regularly contacts us with progress and statements. Our money is in an interst bearing account until each step of the build is done.
We have a building assessor standing by at each stage of the build , and not until he, we and our solicitor agree all is OK does the next stage of build begin or next portion of money gets given to the builder.
We met the builder personally, he is well know in the area, and even went to his house to meet.

So much happened so quickly..4 days and we did it all, we even opened a bank account in an hour, and even they said we had done the right thing.

I trust both our realator lawyer and builder, more than any i would in the UK.
BC has some very strict real estate rules, and builders are regulated too, but you need a good referall. Not sure on the rest of Canada

I am still totally amazed at what they have done to help us. We spoke to builder last week and it will be finished in November ahead of the December deadline, hopefully.

We cannot wait to go over.
We have been extremely lucky so far.
I am known for doing some things others may think risky, mad, you name it. But I am not a gambler. I just do a lot of research, and trust my instincts.
We we went over bought within a week and left.............. and are not going back until it is finished for inspection???????? Mad or what!!
My motto:
Lifes too short for "What if's?"

Good luck,