Use this checklist to help you select a home builder to build your home. 11 Things You need to Know. Contact your local home builders’ association for the names of member builders and remodelers: nahb.org/findanhba. You can also ask family, friends or coworkers for recommendations.

A Production home involves the same house design used over and over again. These are typically seen in neighborhoods that are built by large-volume homebuilders. These “tract” homes may appear in suburban locations outside more densely populated areas so larger tracts of land can be subdivided to support such construction. All homes in the community may be built by just one Production home builder who owns all the lots. There are a number of large, national Production homebuilders with good reputations, as well as local or regional builders that can fall within this category...

Buying "new construction" is a bit different from buying a previously-owned home. For one, because there is no previous homeowner, you don't have to deal with a seller's emotional tie to the property, which typically influences the negotiating process. Whether you're designing and building a custom home or buying a home that's built on spec in a new subdivision, you'll only have to work with the builder. As with buying a previously-owned home, you have to figure out your budget and secure financing before you even begin house hunting. Get pre-approved by a bank or mortgage lender. Decide how much money you want to invest in a new home. And don't overlook the extras like property taxes, insurance, furniture, window treatments, landscaping costs and maintenance that can drain your bank account.

Home buyers have the choice of two types of houses on the market: resale or new. Home buyers planning to buy a brand-new house or condominium often cite energy efficiency, open layout, a warranty, and being able to select appliances, flooring, paint colors and other design elements as factors driving their choice. But builders say that buyers can be drawn to a new house for reasons that aren’t so obvious. Here are a few more benefits of a brand-new home that you may not see in the sales brochure.