PURCHASING A HOME

ZH takes responsibility of supplying a completely constructed home. Site preparation to clear the lot and financing are still the responsibility of the buyer, although assistance from ZH is available for an additional fee. ZH performs the procurement of all materials, coordinates logistics of delivery, and takes responsibility for all subcontractors and the construction process.

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Work falls in the customers scope, including site preparation, local and state permits, foundation work, and all construction. ZH coordinates with all suppliers and ensures delivery of all materials to site according to schedule. ZHs scope is completed after the arrival of final materials as shown the following diagram.

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It is essential to determine if your home site can accommodate the requirements for the delivery of components, construction, and of course the home itself. Relatively flat lots are ideal, however, ZH homes can usually be located on hillside or sloping lots as well. Hillside or sloped lots may require additional foundation work and site preparation. Some areas may require you to obtain a soils report from a licensed geologist or a topographical survey from a licensed surveyor. Furthermore, the lot must be accessible by trucks that will be delivering the components of your new home. Adequate space for construction work is also necessary. The second step in determining site feasibility is to check with your local planning organization for any construction or neighborhood restrictions. Since ZH houses are not modular prefab or mobile homes, this is not a common problem in urban areas. There may also be parking requirements concerning carports or garages that need to be considered and discussed with your local building department.

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You are now ready to begin designing your new home on the ZH website. The first step is to select one of the available ZH floor plans. Next, you can begin to customize your home by choosing from different options for the interior and exterior of your home. Options are available for flooring, countertops, cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, exterior siding, and appliances. You will also need to choose one of the two construction options. In Option 1 (Houston homes only), ZH takes responsibility of all construction and coordination of subcontractors, delivering a completely finished home. With Option 2, the owner is responsible for the construction process and ZH simply provides materials, components, and design plans. The website will also help give the buyer a clear understanding of each phase of the purchasing process and also the construction process. The site is meant to act as a tool that adds clarity to the purchase and construction process.

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A personal ZH consultant will contact you directly and walk you through the process of purchasing a ZH home. This consultant is your ZH contact for the entire purchase and supply process and is there to ensure a smooth and flawless experience.

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There should not be any special financing required for your ZH home. Conventional new home construction financing from a bank or other mortgage provider is all that is required. Due to short construction time, buyers will save money on the interest costs of a construction loan when compared to a traditionally built home. Lenders will typically require you to provide a set of drawings for your new home, which will be provided by ZH. ZH will also provide the required breakdown of costs if we act as builder.

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When you are ready to make your purchase, ZH will require proof of financing and a signed purchase order. Once the initial payment is received, the process of supplying your new home begins. Payments follow the schedule below:

5% upon signed purchase agreement

20% prior to production start and local jurisdiction approval

50% upon first delivery of major components to the job site

25% upon completion and turnover of home

(payment schedule may differ depending on financing)

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If local jurisdictions require construction permits, the process of obtaining permit must be taken care of before construction. Permits include approval of traffic, planning, water / sewer and structural. Under Construction Option 1, this will be ZH’s responsibility. If Construction Option 2 is chosen, you must obtain permits on your own or through your builder. Required drawings and paperwork for permits will be submitted to the local building department for final approval along with any other necessary information. Sometimes other approvals may be needed that require additional fees, such as from a Home Owners’ Association.

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If Construction Option 1 is chosen, ZH will supply the structural drawings and perform the necessary work in order to properly build the foundation. Under Construction Option 2, ZH will not supply structural drawings but can work with a ZH engineer if approved. If contracted, ZH will work with the client to obtain these drawings. Local jurisdiction and ZH will require a soils report prepared by a geo-tech company. Each ZH home is designed to allow for a type of foundation to be chosen according to the site’s and client’s needs. ZH requires that a structural engineer design the foundation. Locating the utility points to the home is critical. Your site’s utility plan may need to be customized at an additional charge if utilities are not readily accessible.

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ZH will work with you and your builder to schedule the delivery of all components to your site at the proper time during each phase of construction. If Construction Option 1 is chosen, ZH will create a clear time schedule outlining when each construction phase will happen. The website will act as a guide during each phase for the client and also ZH.

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If Construction Option 2 is chosen, then ZH provides you with construction plans and delivers all the materials to your site in a timely manner depending on schedule. You and your builder maintain all construction responsibility. If Construction Option 1 is chosen (only in Houston), ZH will coordinate and oversee the construction of your new home. ZH works with all the sub-contractors so you don’t have to.

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After a quick and simple process your new home is constructed and ready for move in!

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