Phantom Properties: The Rise of Ghost Homes That May Never Be Built
Download MP3 Key Points Discussed:
- Hot New Home Market:
- Subdivisions are selling out faster than they can be built.
- Speculative sales have reached record highs, with homes sold before construction starts.
- What Builders, Realtors, and Buyers Are Seeing:
- Builders are offering homes for sale that aren’t even built.
- Realtors working with builder-sellers are managing contracts for speculative homes.
- Buyers are navigating uncertainty when considering not-yet-built homes.
- Escalation Clauses and Price Increases:
- Contracts may include clauses that allow price adjustments for increased costs (e.g., lumber, labor).
- Builders often have opt-out clauses, enabling them to cancel contracts if prices rise.
- Buyer Risks:
- Buyers may unintentionally serve as financial leverage for builders, helping fund other projects.
- The lack of a set price creates significant financial risk.
- Real-Life Example:
- A family contracted a home for $170,000 but faced multiple price increases, reaching $220,000.
- Their lender wouldn’t approve the higher amount, leaving them unable to proceed.
- They incurred extra costs, including increased rental fees, due to project delays.
- Advice for Buyers:
- Consider waiting for homes to be completed to avoid escalation surprises.
- Explore resale options to avoid the uncertainties of speculative home buying.
We Want to Hear From You:
- Are you a builder or realtor navigating this speculative market?
- As a buyer, have you faced challenges purchasing a not-yet-built home?
- Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments!
Tune in to understand the complexities of this booming yet risky new home sales market.
