Who is Affordable Florida Homes?
We are a Florida custom home builder in Palm Coast that has
been building homes for over 22 years. We are low-volume,
high-quality. We have many elegant plans available and are
flexible in designs, so moving a wall or window is no
problem.
Where do you build?
We build fine homes in Flagler and Volusia Counties, but
most of our projects are in Palm Coast. Palm Coast’s small
town feel and extensive lot availability has proven to be a
hit with customers. For 2 years in a row, Flagler has been
the fastest growing county in the entire country. Once you
visit palm Coast, you’ll see why!
What makes you better than other builders?
We are family owned and operated and we really enjoy our
good reputation, not only with customers, but with our
construction vendors. Our 2 full-time superintendents keep a
careful eye on our ongoing projects. Their goal is for you
to be totally happy on the first walkthrough. If you later find
a problem, they are quick to do what is takes to make it
right.
How long does it take to build a home?
Our standard answer is 12 months. Sometimes it can take as
little as 8 months, but with so many uncontrollable factors,
we plan on 12 months. These factors include weather,
material and labor availability, and the permitting process.
How can I finance my home purchase?
Cash is of course the lowest cost method to purchase. You
“pay as you go”. The builder takes an initial payment (a
draw) to begin construction. As the project reaches certain
stages, the builder takes another draw, and the process
repeats until completion.
A construction loan is a common method to finance a home.
Once you arrange with a lender for financing, the builder
takes a draw at the beginning phase, and the project
continues as above in the cash transaction. A benefit to a
construction loan is that you only pay interest on the
current balance of your loan. As the home progresses and the
builder takes more draws, your balance rises until
completion. At that time your construction loan normally
converts to a conventional loan.
End loan financing is where the builder funds the loan and
takes ownership of the lot and the home. At the end of
completion the buyer must have financing in place to take
ownership of the home. Since there is a cost to the builder
for his loan and for closing on the lot, they include a
Builder Funded Fee to recover those expenses. This is the
more expensive way to finance, but it can save you from
having dual payments during the construction of your home.
How much deposit do you require?
For end an end loan, builder funded purchase we require as
little as 5%; more if you’re building a pool or purchasing a
more expensive lot.
For a construction loan, we only require $2,000 as a
deposit, although your lender may have further requirements,
depending on your credit report.
What should I look for in a safe home?
Look for both quality and safety. Florida is no stranger to
hurricanes, so we build our homes to withstand 140 mph
winds, or a CAT 4 hurricane. The walls alone are rated to
250 mph. Our walls are six inches of SOLID concrete, filled
with rebar and steel mesh. We build OVER the Florida
Building Code. Our walls, filled with 3000 psi concrete, and
mixed with fiberglass mesh for more strength, will give you
maximum protection in the event of a storm. Our truss straps
are 50% stronger than required by code, and we use 5/8” CDX,
25% thicker than the competition. We also provide steel
storm shutters for maximum protection. Our walls are similar
to the ones in Hurricane Center in Miami, except their walls
are 10” of solid concrete.
Are there any other advantages to solid concrete walls?
Termites don’t like the taste of concrete and they won’t
touch it. Concrete walls never dry rot like framed walls
can. Concrete walls are a solid mass and maintain a more
even temperature inside. They are quiet! Less noise means
fewer distractions from traffic and neighbors. Again, they
are SAFE. Airborne debris can penetrate even concrete block.
A 2x4 fired at a concrete wall at 120 mph simply splinters,
with no sign of penetration. Our concrete walls are attached
at least every 4 feet to the slab, and even high winds won’t
dislodge a concrete wall from its position.
Why should I build a NEW home?
When you build a new home, you get exactly the design you
want, in the location you desire. You also get the benefit
of warranties that will keep your costs down. Most lenders
will consider a new home as a better investment and make
loan approval easier. Newer homes will likely have better
insulation, better windows, and a more efficient HVAC unit.
Energy consumption can make a significant difference in
continuing monthly costs. When you build with AFHI, you
won’t drive down the street and see the same model over and
over.
What kind of warranty
coverage does A.F.H.I. offer?
Our goal here at Affordable
Florida Homes is to provide a builders warranty that
surpasses customer expectations and to assure service after
the sale. Every new home includes a 1 year Workmanship, 2
year Systems and most notably a 15 year Structural
Coverage. So you see, from start to finish and beyond,
A.F.H.I. offers quality, safety and a reassurance that every
new home buyer needs.
