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WHERE IS GARDEN HOMES LOCATED?
Garden Homes Corporate Offices are located in South Bend, Indiana at 17874 State Road 23. Just minutes from I-80/90, we are conveniently located in the heart of Michiana.
WHAT ARE YOUR NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS?
Our Corporate office is open Monday through Friday 8am-5pm. Model Homes in our communities vary.
DO YOU PROVIDE REAL ESTATE SERVICES?
No. Garden Homes, is a member of the South Bend/Mishawaka Board of Realtors/MLS. Although we do not sell used homes, we use the realty company to purchase home sites for our buyers and raw land development. Leroy Yoder has been a Real Estate Broker since 1969.
DO YOU BUILD IN MICHIGAN?
Yes. We have been licensed in the state of Michigan since 1976.
WHERE DOES GARDEN HOMES BUILD?
Garden Homes will build in Indiana or Michigan. Indiana counties include St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Wabash, Marshall, and LaPorte. Michigan counties include Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Van Buren and Branch. Don't see the county you want to build in? Contact a new homes consultant to determine the possibility.
WHAT IS GARDEN HOMES' EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING QUALITY HOMES?
Garden Homes has been building homes since 1976 with over 4,000 homes built since then. We have built a reputation for quality homes as well as customer service. We have not been successful by chance; we have worked hard to earn the respect and reputation we are known for today.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST PER SQUARE FOOT TO BUILD A HOME?
It is really unfair and very difficult to determine a homes' price solely based on square footage. So, we do not price homes in this manner as it would not only be unfair to the buyer, but it would also not be fair to us as the builder. We price each home part individually (even the nails) so that we can determine a fair and accurate price for each home and customer.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A HOME?
The amount of time it takes to build a home varies depending on several things. A large factor is weather. Rain plays a big part in how long it will take to complete your home. Other factors include the number of changes requested to the home as the more requests there are and the more detail involved in the changes will dictate the amount of time needed to satisfy those changes. Generally, a home can be built in 110 - 150 days from the time permits are in place and certificate of occupany is applied for. During the winter months, it may take longer for this process.
CAN A HOME BE BUILT IN THE WINTER?
Yes, we build homes in the winter.
See a home being built in the winter.
CAN A BUYER ALTER OR CHANGE FEATURES OF THE HOME TO FIT OUR FAMILY'S NEEDS?
Of course. Very rarely does Garden Homes encounter a buyer that purchases a home "as is" on the plans. Everyone has their own individual needs and wants and you can make adjustments to our plans to suit your individual desires. Garden Homes offers many different house plans in various styles, sizes and price ranges. We have four series of homes we have divided them into which include the Village Series, Country Series, Manor Series, and Specialty homes. Consult one of our sales associates for more specific information on the different homes available in each series.
ONCE I CHOOSE A FLOOR PLAN, DO I HAVE ANY OTHER DECISIONS TO MAKE?
After you choose a floor plan, your planning and choices do not stop there. There are so many features to pick out once you make the initial choice of the floor plan such as exterior color, interior colors, carpeting, cabinetry, faucets, and so on. Our new home consultants will be there to help you with all these decisions and offer their advice based on their experiences.
DO YOU SELL JUST LOTS?
Yes. Depending on the subdivision, you may purchase just the lot. Many lenders have loans with as little as 10% down for lot purchases.
DO YOU SELL PREVIOUSLY OWNED HOMES?
No, we are a new home builder. We do have a good working relationship with local realtors. We can help direct you to the best one for you.
HOW MUCH ARE PROPERTY TAXES?
Property taxes are set by the local assessor and will depend on location and your type of home. Usually, a good estimate for taxes is 1.17%/mo.
For Michigan see: MI Tax Calculator
SHOULD I CHOOSE A HOME MODEL OR A LOT FIRST?
Well, it depends; sometimes only certain models will fit on certain lots. Usually buyers will choose a model first, then move onto the lot choice. However, we suggest letting Garden Homes do a site inspection, a free service we offer, before you commit to purchasing a house or a lot.
WE ALREADY OWN LAND; WILL YOU BUILD OUR HOME ON OUR SITE?
Yes, Garden Homes builds a majority of it's homes for those who own their own land. If you have your own set of plans, they must not be under copyright restrictions in order for us to build that specific floor plan.
WHAT IS THE PRICE RANGE OF YOUR SPECIALTY HOMES?
Our custom homes vary in price from $200,000 to over 1 million depending on a variety of factors which include the site you choose and the home model. Many home buyers customize one of our many pre-designed plans usually for a lower cost. Contact a new homes consultant for details.
WHAT ARE THE SIZES OF LOTS YOU BUILD ON?
Garden Homes builds on many different sizes of lots. A large factor in whether a house can be built is the community you wish to build in. Many communities have restrictions on the minimum size of house that can be built.
WHY DO YOUR HOMES VARY IN PRICE FROM COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY AND STATE TO STATE?
The price of the home is based on many different variables. Difference in price from community to community can be as simple as one may have city water and the other has well water. One community may have septic and the other sewer. These and many other factors play a role on the price of each home. As for the Indiana and Michigan prices, they are based on some of the same factors as those for the communities and can include differences in permit fees, codes, etc..
IS THE LOT COST FIGURED INTO THE PRICE OF THE HOME?
Not usually. Our lots are priced separately unless otherwise noted. A few of our communities include house and lot for one price.
WILL ANYONE BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME IN SELECTING FEATURES FOR MY NEW HOME?
Yes. Your new home consultant will be happy to help you.
DOES GARDEN HOMES HAVE FURNISHED MODELS I CAN VISIT?
Yes, most of the communities we build in have a model home to allow potential customers the opportunity to view the craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail we put in every Garden Home.
DOES GARDEN HOMES OFFER ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES THAT ARE ALREADY BUILT IN CASE WE NEED TO MOVE IN QUICKLY?
Yes, we have a few already built homes. Ask your new homes consultant for details.
WILL MY REALTOR BE WELCOMED AT GARDEN HOMES?
Yes, we are realtor friendly. Although we do have a protocol to follow, please have your realtor contact Garden Homes before you visit a model home.
HOW CAN I OBTAIN A LIST OF RECENT GARDEN HOMES CUSTOMER REFERENCES?
We have a page on our website that has "Customer Testimonials" where you can view some of the feedback we have received from our customers or you may contact us for references.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES OF PURCHASING A NEW HOME VERSUS A PREVIOUSLY OWNED HOME?
There are many pros to owning a new home. Some of those include:
However, there are also cons to purchasing a previously owned home such as:
HOW CAN I TELL HOW MUCH I CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE?
We have calculators on our website.
DOES GARDEN HOMES OFFER FINANCING OPTIONS?
We will help you contact the right lending companies for the type of loan program that will best fit your needs. Your new home consultant will give you further details.
