Homebuilding Terms

builder-included feature
All Brooks Homes come with many of the most popular builder-included features. Builder-included features may include a specific style of cabinets, or a specific type of countertop. Brooks homebuyers can personalize their home by choosing from a range of colors for their standard features at no additional cost.

easement
A right given to a third party to use a portion of property for certain purposes, such as power lines or water mains.

elevation
The exterior facade of a home, including the materials (like brick or stone) used on that face. At Brooks Homes, you get to choose from three or four different elevations, or architectural styles, in addition to a selection of colors for each of our plans. So the house you buy will look like your house, not exactly like the one next door.

framing
The construction of the skeleton structure, or framework, of a house.

floor plan
An architectural drawing showing the overall layout of a home. The size and shape of each room, as well as any optional configurations of those rooms, are shown on the floorplan. At Brooks Homes, most of our communities offer several plans from which to choose: single-story plans, two-story plans, etc.

HOA (Homeowners Association)
In many new communities, an association of homeowners is formed. The Homeowners Association is responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of the community, and also for the maintenance and upkeep of any common areas, including community centers, swimming pools, health club facilities and landscaping.

homesite
Each new community is divided into individual lots, or homesites. In most Brooks Homes communities, a homebuyer gets to choose their homesite and the floor plan that suits them best, with some restrictions to ensure a varied neighborhood. floorplan suitability for homesite

homesite premium
A premium paid by the buyer for a special, unique homesite that may be either larger or in a more desirable location.

homeowner orientation
The Homeowner Orientation provides buyers with the opportunity to become acquainted with their new home prior to moving in. During the orientation, a Brooks Homes Representative provides a thorough demonstration of the completed home (e.g., mechanical components, appliances, etc.) and reviews items covered by the warranty.

master plan community
A large community, often with homes built by several different builders, in a wide variety of prices. Master plan communities usually include community centers, pools and other recreational facilities. Often there are commercial districts, offering shopping and entertainment within the master plan.

option
All Brooks Homes come with many of the most popular standard features and buyers are able to select colors or textures for many of these features. In addition, Brooks homebuyers are able to personalize their home to fit their unique lifestyle by purchasing additional options such as appliances, designer finishes on cabinets, countertops and floors, fireplaces and a variety of other choices through the Brooks Home Studio. This enables us to keep the price of the home low while ensuring that you only pay for the options that are truly important to you.

phase
A group of homesites within a community. Most homebuilders sell all the lots within the current phase before moving on to the next phase of the community. The benefit to the homebuyer is that construction activity is focused in one small area at a time. So when you move in to your new home, most of the construction for neighboring homes will already be complete. Builders "release" a new phase when the current phase is almost sold out. This means that there is now a completely new selection of lots, available for purchase.

plan
See floor plan.

reservation
A non-binding agreement to purchase a home at a future date. Often, a reservation is taken for a specific lot in an upcoming phase, giving the buyer the first opportunity to purchase that lot when the phase is released. A reservation usually requires a deposit.

warranty
A plan to fix or repair specific items of your home according to the warranty terms. At Brooks Homes, we offer a 10-year limited warranty that includes a 10-year structural warranty; a two-year warranty on electrical components, heating or cooling systems, and plumbing; and a one-year warranty for all other components of the home. All elements of the warranty are reviewed with the homeowner at the time of the walk-through.