State College
740 S Atherton Street
State College, PA 16801

Office Email

Phone:
814-272-3333

Fax:
814-272-3268
Team Leader:
Patricia Mlynek
  Seek the Advantage

Advantage Realty

Exclusive Listings

For information on any of our exclusive listings, please contact our office at 814-272-3333  

 812 Pike Street Lemont PA $279,900 listed by Terry Weatherford former Retail Builiding Cat's Meow Flower Shop in the heart of Lemont. . 22 Acres

661 Pike Street Lemont PA $299,000 listed by Terry Weatherford 1800's Home with 3 BR, 1.5 BA Fantastic private setting with stream frontage

College, Beaver and Pugh St Properties- $3,900,000 listed by Connie Geiser- INVESTMENT PACKAGE -20 condos and 2 parking spaces, FULLY RENTED call for details

Yarrow Way-OpeQuon Hill Condos Bellefonte PA $237,000 to $264,000- listed by Nancy Musumeci and Annette Yorks- 2 and 3 bedroom units available for November to January Move In -Call for options and availability

129 Buttercup Way - OpeQuon Hill-Bellefonte PA $365,000 listed by Nancy Musumeci and Annette Yorks- 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath "Craftsman" Style Ranch under construction. Just enough time to put your personal touch into your new home. Call for floorplan and options.



Opting for new home construction

Whether to buy an existing home or have one built is yet another decision to make during the home-buying process. If you decide to go with new construction, a real estate agent can be a powerful advocate in your corner as you negotiate upgrades, a move-in date and other terms with the home builder.

Below are some basic pointers to prepare you for the journey ahead.

Selecting a builder
Shopping for a large production or custom home builder can be a daunting task. Start by defining what architectural styles appeal to you and then seek out the builders in your area who offer those styles. Due diligence is essential. Ask friends for referrals to get firsthand accounts; verify the builder's state license status, if applicable; and check whether they're certified by the National Association of Home Builders.

The builder representative and your real estate agent
A builder representative's ultimate goal is to sell you a home. His or her role is to provide a wide range of information to help you in your decision-making, from building restrictions, roads and easements to inspections, warranties, rebates and upgrades. A real estate agent knowledgeable in new-home construction will be able to help you wade through all the data and point out the downsides and upsides of each line item. Your agent also can look out for your interests in reviewing the builder's contract, which often contains more legal jargon than consumer-friendly language.

It's all about timing
Market conditions greatly dictate a builder's incentive to make a deal you cannot refuse. When a builder has inventory on his hands, his carrying costs start adding up. When this happens, a builder might be more amenable to strike a favorable deal, whether it's throwing in upgrades or taking a bit off the asking price. A real estate agent can help you know when market conditions are right for these benefits. Also, watch for builder close-out sales. Builders promote these special events when a new subdivision is near completion but empty inventory still remains.

A word about paying up
While there are always exceptions, most builders require a deposit when a purchase agreement is signed. They also require that the buyer pay for any upgrades prior to closing. If you back out prior to closing, unless the agreement states otherwise, you will lose that money. Make sure you understand every detail in the builder's contract before signing it.