What to Look for in a Builder

New home construction is down right now, the market is already filled with newer homes that are short sales and bank owed, but if you are thinking about have a home custom built, here are some tips for vetting the builder.
   1.  Hire a good real estate attorney who has experience with new-construction contracts, knows state law, and is familiar with the issues unique to the area in which the property will be built.
   2.  Hire a Realtor who has experience with new home construction, and has worked with more than one builder.
   3.  Talk to other customers. Ask how satisfied they are with the builder and how his projects have held up over time.
   4.  Investigate. Search the builder’s name and company online and make sure that there aren’t lots of complaints about him.
   5.  Expect him to negotiate. In this market, a potential customer should be able to expect that a builder will be flexible.
 Source: Realtor.com