Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Teresa Merelman, Broker, Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VTPhone: (802) 793-5171
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
The new construction home buying process differs significantly from the buying process for an existing home. However, one thing that remains the same in each case is that no two homes are exactly alike.
While it’s common for newer developments to have “cookie cutter” homes with similar layouts, many builders have options for customization.
Here is a basic explanation of the major types of new construction home options you’re likely to encounter:
Tract homes are built as part of a large development on a single piece – or tract – of land. Tract homes are mass-produced and usually built quickly, making them an excellent choice for prospective homeowners who don’t want as long a process as a fully custom home would entail.
However, these homes can be almost identical in floor plan and features. While very affordable and convenient, they do lack built-in customization options.
A spec home is a brand-new, move-in-ready home. These homes are sold strictly as-is, so any desired changes and upgrades are your responsibility. The “spec” in spec homes comes from “speculative,” meaning the builder has created a unique design for a particular market.
Therefore, spec homes can vary greatly in style and features, making them a great option for buyers who want something beyond the cookie-cutter of a tract home development.
As the name suggests, a semi-custom home is only partially customized by the prospective buyer. These homes come with many of the structures and features set by default, and others you can customize.
Some builders provide catalogs of options for things like materials, finishes and layouts. Spec homes will generally have the same exterior style, but the interiors depend on the choices of each buyer.
A fully custom home is built to the buyer’s every choice. Working closely with an architect and real estate agent, buyers determine every single detail of the home, from architectural style to light switch location.
While the design and building process mean countless decisions, if you have a vision for the perfect home and a larger budget, a custom new construction house might be the best choice for you.
Every home purchase is different, and even once you decide between new construction and existing homes, you have important choices to make. Keep these new construction options in mind to make the best decision for your future home.
Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include:
Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:
In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.
