Sequim Custom Homes

Your Sequim custom home is simply a home built the way you want it, the way you've dreamed it should be. One of the beliefs that sets Anderson Homes apart from other builders is the conviction that using high quality materials and supplies in your home is something you deserve, and the difference in price between cheap and quality is often negligible.

That's true for two reasons. First, because Anderson Homes is the largest local home builder since 1981, quality materials are purchased at discounted prices, and these savings are passed on to you. In the home building industry, that is rare, although customers rarely discover this inside information. Second, Anderson Homes offers upgrades to the highest quality kitchen cabinets, flooring, countertops, and appliances (and throughout your home) at a substantially lower price than other builders.

A major secret to understanding the bids you get from various builders is to realize this: it is extremely rare that competing bids are for the same materials, supplies and workmanship. Please be aware of the fact that many bids do not include quality materials, and may actually give the builder complete discretion to install the cheapest "builder grade" materials. Often none of this spelled out or explained to customers. Rick Anderson's initial price quotes or bids often seem higher than a competing builder to a first time home builder, but when you look behind the facade, when you dig deeper, when you carefully compare the full specifications and the project manual for your home, you will discover Anderson Homes are less expensive per square foot on a true comparison.

FREE OFFER: Rick Anderson will help you evaluate your project, including other price quotes or bids, and he will do this with complete disclosure, complete honesty, and at no cost and no obligation to you at all. It's your money, and your dream home. Why not do your due diligence to be sure your getting what you pay for?

Call Rick Anderson today. He's friendly and easy to talk to. Call (360) 452-4641.

Custom Home Lots in Port Angeles

Building a new home or a custom home soon? Lots are available in one of the newest areas of West Port Angeles, Heritage Court.

Heritage Court is one of Port Angeles' most attractive developments with lots priced very reasonably at $83,500. Consider that these lots are in a completed 15 lot development, all curbed, paved, and all utilities are already installed.


This is a great area, and if you look at other lots in the surrounding blocks, you'll find much higher priced lots. These are some of the lowest priced lots in the entire area, and it is one of the cleanest developments around. Rick Anderson has been developing real estate since 1981, and he knows how to offer you a turnkey lot at a super price. By the way, if you have Rick Anderson build your home in Heritage Court, he is currently offering a $5,000 credit toward the purchase of the lot. That would make your lot only $78,500.

The lot sizes vary a little as you drive down the road and around the cul de sac. Lot 6 is already sold and a beautiful Anderson Home was just completed on Lot 6. Lot 7 is reserved, but the remaining 13 lots are available at this time.

To see more photos, the full plat, and to select your lot, see Heritage Court Lots. Of course, you can always call Rick Anderson at (360) 452-4641.

What Do Clients Say About Anderson Homes?

Port Angeles custom homes built by Anderson Homes makes happy homeowners. What do Dan and Patty think of their custom home? "We love it so much."

Dan retired from the Port Angeles Mill and Patty retired from teaching 4th and 5th graders. This is their retirement home. No, it's more than that: it's their dream home!

Was their home completed on schedule and at the guaranteed price? The answer from both Dan and Patty is a resounding yes. They sing the praises of Anderson Homes and their crew. "At the end of every day during construction, the house was swept clean, and the construction site was clean. It was impressive. We're thankful for Rick Anderson and his personal attention to details as our home was built."

Patty explained one of the greatest features of thier home. "The kitchen is open to the dining room and living room, so when my boys visit, I can be part of the conversation, and we can hear each other"

Dan and Patty didn't move to Port Angeles from anywhere. They already lived here, but they lived in an older home surrounded by trees. When you walk into this beautiful custom home, the very first thing to capture your eyes is the scenic view of the mountains through a wall of huge picture windows with deep window sills, a signature of Anderson Homes.

Imagine a laundry room so gorgeous it could be a spare bedroom? Well, almost. As you can see in this photo to the left, this is a laundry room you would not dread. (Remember that old washer and dryer in the dark basement?) Finished in bright colors, a sink with plenty of counter space and cabinets, this labor intensive room seems to say, "Welcome."

The attention to detail shows throughout this custom home, like it does in the bathroom with a deep bath tub in a comfortable setting that seems to beckon you to settle into a hot soak with a good book.

Anyone else want a dream home and a piece of heaven?

Looking at New Homes

If you're planning to build your new home or custom home in Sequim or Port Angeles, and you want to be sure you hire a very very good builder, I would be glad to help you. Here is what I'm willing to do for you at no cost:

1. Answer your questions about what to look for in a builder;
2. Share with you what to watch out for in your due diligence (these are traps that good, honest people get caught in all the time);
3. Having been a real estate attorney for 20 years and now a Realtor, I will share what 100's of clients have told me they learned in the process you are now going through;
4. And I will personally drive you around key areas to look at completed homes built by a number of different builders, so you can compare, and
5. I will describe to you what we are looking at, issues of construction, quality, costs, and more.

Why would I do all of this for you at no cost? Because I enjoy doing this, making new friends, and in the long run, I believe this kind of good will in the community pays off with future referrals. It's the way I ran my law office.

Email me at chuckmarunde@gmail.com, or simply call me at (360) 775-5424 anytime.

Secrets to Finding the Best Builder

Sequim new homes builder, Port Angeles custom homes builder

In light of Rick Anderson's excellent six part series on Selecting a Builder, I thought our readers might be interested in a real estate attorney's (retired) perspective on hiring a builder. This article was written several years ago to help clients avoid bad experiences.

If you've read some of the nightmare stories that good people in Washington have lived through, you'll definitely want to know how to select the right builder/contractor.

Let's be very clear about this. There are many outstanding builders and contractors out there. The problem, as with any profession, is that you only need one bad one to live through a personal nightmare. Use these practical rules to find and hire a good builder, and you'll save $1,000's in attorney's fees, not to mention other costs, stress, and possibly divorce.

1. Do not simply open the Yellow Pages and pick a Builder.

2. Do not choose a Builder simply because he seems nice.

3. Do get a reliable referral to a good Builder. That means the referral comes from someone who is known to be reliable and who knows the Builder.

4. Do your due diligence on the prospective Builder. Investigate thoroughly.

5. Look at some of his houses, inside & out, and talk to previous customers. Be careful. You can still be fooled here. You can find one or two happy customers with every builder.

6. Check on his state license/registration, which can easily be done on the Internet Here. Use the State's checklist, also, but notice they don't tell you what NOT to do, which is where many of the traps are.

7. On the same State Internet resource, you can check the Builder's status, infractions, bond, and pending lawsuits. DO IT! Believe it or not, the vast majority of people do this only after they get into trouble with the Builder.

8. Check your local county superior court clerk's office for pending lawsuits against your prospective Builder. This can be done on the Internet by searching his company and personal name (in Pierce County here). In King County go here, although King County's Superior Court web site is years behind Pierce County's. Clallam County is not fully Internet capable.

9. After all this, interview your prospective Builder/Contractor, and see if you like him. If you don't, I strongly recommend you keep looking. Gut feelings are important. You've spent a lifetime learning how to read people. Don't ignore that lifetime of experience now. Here you should judge the book by its cover.

10. Ask for a copy of his standard contract and take it home to review it. Get a professional opinion on that contract. It seems every Builder uses a different contract, and many of them are grossly one-sided. There are several critical contract issues you want unambiguously addressed in the contract.

Due diligence in finding a great builder will make your life in your new home so much more fulfilling. After all, it's your money and it's your future. Do it right. Take the time to find the best builder.

Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 6 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home in Sequim or Port Angeles, the sixth article in a series on Selecting a Builder by Rick Anderson.

Windows and Doors

Test the windows and doors. Pull the windows up and down, and push the doors open and closed. Do the windows go all the way up? Do they close and seal properly? Are the cracks around the door uniformly spaced to indicate that the door is hung well and the doorway is standing properly? Interior doors should open and close easily. But the tighter the house is constructed, the better it will hold up against heat, cold and other weather conditions--and the harder it will be to close the exterior door. Because it is fitted with weather stripping and is meant to be a protection against climatic elements, the exterior door shouldn't close with the push of a fingertip.

Level Countertops and Tight Seams

Do objects on countertops remain stationary or upright? or do they roll or topple because the counter isn't level? Tight seams on countertops will prevent dirt from building up in them, and the countertop materials from being damaged with daily use. If laminate is not properly seamed, for example, it will absorb water and swell.

Cabinetry and Woodwork

Check to see if the cuts and patterns are clean, consistent and well-detailed on the moldings and trims. Are the baseboards set evenly against the floor with no gaps? Do the cabinet doors and drawers open and close smoothly?

Insulation

Ask the homeowner about their heating bills. Have any energy efficient features been installed? Are there drafts from the windows?

Warranty

The builder should offer a comprehensive written warranty. A financially sound builder will offer a quality product at a fair price and will remain in business throughout the warranty period. Also, quality builders will be in the best position to do business with the best sub-contractors and suppliers.

[All photographs used in this series are homes built by Anderson Homes, LLC, as are the homes in the banner of this site.]

(This article written by Rick Anderson and posted by Marketing Consultant Chuck Marunde.)

The Series:
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 1 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 2 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 3 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 4 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 5 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 6 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 5 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home in Sequim or Port Angeles, the fifth article in a series on Selecting a Builder by Rick Anderson.

Straight Walls

Check that the walls are straight. Find an area or corner, typically in the kitchen or bath, where a row of floor tile or a patterned sheet of vinyl flooring meets a wall. If the last row of the tile or vinyl patterning that is closest to the wall runs uniformly parallel to the wall, chances are good that the wall is straight. If the tile strip is wider at one end and narrower at the other, then the wall may not be straight.

Appliances and Fixtures

Does the toilet flush properly? Is it evenly set on its base? Check the faucet fixtures to see if they are sealed tightly.

Quality of the Paint Job

Check the quality of the paint job. If the builder does the job right, he does it right everywhere, according to one expert. Look at the backside of doors. Step inside a walk-in closet and make sure the door casing on the inside is caulked and painted properly.

(This article written by Rick Anderson and posted by Marketing Consultant Chuck Marunde.)

The Series:
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 1 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 2 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 3 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 4 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 5 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 6 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 4 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home in Sequim or Port Angeles, the fourth article in a series on Selecting a Builder by Rick Anderson.

On the Job Site

Ask the builder how often he'll be on the job site. And verify his answer with his references. You deserve and are paying for the builder's time and attention. Ideally, he should be on your job site every day. In some cases, his presence two or three times a week is acceptable. If the builder's daily presence is important to you, experts suggest selecting a builder with a small company (fewer than 20 employees) who can be on the job all the time because your project will be a major one for him.

Signs of Roof Leaks

Do the roof shingles lay flat? Leaks can be revealed from discolorations and stains in the interior ceilings or walls caused by water seeping through cracks and into the house.

Signs of Good Construction

When you walk through the house of a "reference," you may need to look for signs of good building construction. these are often not obvious. At first you may feel embarrassed having to ask the homeowners you are visiting if you can open their windows or doors, or look in the closets, but remember that when you build your own house, you are making the investment of a lifetime. Who you choose to be your builder will affect the quality of your life for man years to come. That alone is worth taking a closer look.

(This article written by Rick Anderson and posted by Marketing Consultant Chuck Marunde.)

The Series:
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 1 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 2 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 3 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 4 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 5 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 6 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 3 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home in Sequim or Port Angeles, the third article in a series on Selecting a Builder by Rick Anderson.

Match the Builder to Your House

Look for a builder who constructs the type and size of house you want built. Builders often have areas of expertise. If you want to build a house from stock plans for $100,000, don't talk to a custom builder who designs high-end $400,000 homes.

Experience

Although it is difficult for a good builder to meet all the requirements that are demanded of him in the industry, it is even more difficult for a charlatan. There is nothing wrong with hiring new builders, but this may be your once-in-a-lifetime chance to build your own home. Choose someone with proven experience. Ask the builder if he lives in the community. Is his company local? What quality control systems does the builder have in place? What assurance does the client have that the builder is paying the suppliers and sub-contractors who provide products and services for the new home?

(This article written by Rick Anderson and posted by Marketing Consultant Chuck Marunde.)

The Series:
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 1 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 2 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 3 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 4 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 5 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 6 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 2 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home in Sequim or Port Angeles, the second article in a series on Selecting a Builder by Rick Anderson.

References

Thoroughly investigate at least three to four references for each builder you consider. The references can be local real estate agents or mortgage lenders, but should include people for whom the builder has completed construction of a house.

Simply phoning and asking a few questions is not enough. Arrange to visit the homes of references so you can check for signs of good construction.

Spend time with the references, either in person or on the telephone, to discuss the builder's honesty, patience, ability to listen and problem solving skills. Be sure to do this when the builder is not around; his presence may inhibit the homeowners from giving you the candid answers you need.

Specific questions you should pose to references include:

1. Did the builder clearly define the scope of work to be completed on the home and site?
2. Did the builder provide a project manual listing all the components to be included in the construction of the home?
3. Did the project run smoothly? If not, what went wrong?
4. Did the job finish on schedule? If not, what held it up?
5. Were the cost estimates accurate? If they went over, where and why?
6. Was the builder helpful in solving budget or layout problems?
7. Did he make helpful suggestions or bring up new ideas? Were his explanations clear and logical?
8. Was he frequently present on the job?
9. Have you had any major problems with the house during the time you've been occupying it? If there as been a problem, was the builder efficient in answering your calls and following up with you?
10. Ask the owners if they would buy another house from this builder.

Check Credentials

Ask your prospective builders if they belong to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or any other national or local organizations. Then you can check with that organization to see if the builder is a member in good standing. Keep in mind that there are many good builders who choose not to affiliate themselves with any industry association. Your decision on which builder to select should not be based on this type of credential alone.

(This article written by Rick Anderson and posted by Marketing Consultant Chuck Marunde.)

The Series:
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 1 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 2 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 3 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 4 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 5 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 6 of 6)

Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 1 of 6)

Are you building a new home or a custom home in Sequim or Port Angeles? If you've decided to build your next home, this article answers the question, "What is the next step."

Author Rick Anderson is the founder of Anderson Homes, LLC, and with over 25 years of experience he shares his insights in this six part series to guide you in this exciting process.

Part One of Selecting a Builder

Once you've made the decision to build rather than to buy a home, the next thing you need to do is find a builder who can make it all happen. There are many qualities to seek out when selecting a "good builder," and although the characteristics of a builder are sometimes difficult to evaluate, they are important.

Management Skills

First and foremost, you will want someone who can successfully manage a team of craftsmen skilled at constructing a quality home.

Compatibility

Because buying or building a home is such a considerable investment, you want a builder who makes you feel comfortable. Building your home from the ground up is an emotional experience. You should feel at ease asking questions, and confident that there will be open communication throughout the entire process. A builder should be honest and fair, with the ability to listen, and the willingness to be a partner with you in solving problems along the way.

(This article written by Rick Anderson and posted by Marketing Consultant Chuck Marunde.)

The Series:
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 1 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 2 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 3 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 4 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 5 of 6)
Read Building a New Home or Custom Home (Part 6 of 6)