new construction, price per square foot

[Obliviax]

Hi all. What is the cost for new construction in Central PA, or any non-big city, per square foot without the lot?

I have a line on a really nice lot, appears the previous owners were transferring in, and got into some financial trouble, and need to sell it at the price they bought it for in 2009.

I am thinking of buying it and building a home on it to live in or sell. But I need to buy it today....It appears to be 33% below cost.

Thanks!

 

[MJG-90]

Depends on a lot of factors. You could probably get it done as cheap as $75 per SF or over $200 per SF.

 

[Obliviax]

Depends on a lot of factors. You could probably get it done as cheap as $75 per SF or over $200 per SF.

Thanks...high end home, over 3,000 sq feet. your posts validates my estimate of $180~ $200 depending upon home design and finishes.

 

[wilbury]

$100/sf is a good estimate for new residential in central PA

 

[wilbury]

Thanks...high end home, over 3,000 sq feet. your posts validates my estimate of $180~ $200 depending upon home design and finishes.

That's really high end for central PA IMO.

 

[The Spin Meister]

So many options make it tough to say. High end tile, counter tops, lighting, automation, cabinets, wood work, bath & kitchen fixtures. Even new construction methods like ICFs, SIPs, Dryvit. Brick vs stone vs siding....vinyl vs Hardi Plank? Windows can a be huge variable. What about sewer vs sand mound? Heating system? How long a driveway?

 

[LaJolla Lion]

If you have a real estate agent friend have them check MLS to see what the comps are selling for with new construction in that particular area. That should at least tell you what you are looking at for property and structure if you want to sell it.

 

[Obliviax]

If you have a real estate agent friend have them check MLS to see what the comps are selling for with new construction in that particular area. That should at least tell you are looking at for property and structure if you want to sell it.

good point...thanks

 

[SLUPSU]

good point...thanks

Here's one on zillow, looks to be full featured, at $168/sf including land (and builder profit). I saw another right at $200 including land.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/new_ho...764149,40.726836,-78.001728_rect/11_zm/0_mmm/

 

[RGWhirly]

Here is another you might find interesting:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/646-Royal-Cir-State-College-PA-16801/127098638_zpid/

Stalker like behavior there Barry.

 

[Obliviax]

Here's one on zillow, looks to be full featured, at $168/sf including land (and builder profit). I saw another right at $200 including land.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/new_ho...764149,40.726836,-78.001728_rect/11_zm/0_mmm/

Great idea to use Zillow to find new construction in the 'hood. I looked in my area and found several builders who would drop ship a "McMansion" right onto my lot.

Thanks.

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

I just bought a home in Boalsburg in the $400k range. The appraiser used $148 per square foot excluding land for replacement cost under the cost approach.

 

[SLUPSU]

Great idea to use Zillow to find new construction in the 'hood. I looked in my area and found several builders who would drop ship a "McMansion" right onto my lot.

Thanks.

You're welcome.... you might find this construction cost information interesting

https://www.nahbclassic.org/fileUpl...TypeID=3&contentID=248306&subContentID=659949

 

[Obliviax]

You're welcome.... you might find this construction cost information interesting

https://www.nahbclassic.org/fileUpl...TypeID=3&contentID=248306&subContentID=659949

Thank you, great guidance.

 

[WestSideLion]

Here is another you might find interesting:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/646-Royal-Cir-State-College-PA-16801/127098638_zpid/

That was my family’s wooded lot when I grew up at 652 Royal Circle next door! Memories.

 

[Nitt1300]

I always answered this question with another question- square foot of what? There is a big difference between basic code compliance and "builder's grade" materials and fixtures and a quality house.- and that isn't even talking about a really top of the line quality project.

Then there is the site itself- soil conditions? Water table? city water and sewer available? City gas? Blasting required?

 

[diontechristmas]

I always answered this question with another question- square foot of what? There is a big difference between basic code compliance and "builder's grade" materials and fixtures and a quality house.- and that isn't even talking about a really top of the line quality project.

Then there is the site itself- soil conditions? Water table? city water and sewer available? City gas? Blasting required?

Right on.

The questions the OP is asking shows he is in no position to undertake speculative real estate development. Especially in an area in which he presumably does not live or have any real understanding of the micro level real estate market.

If the OP wants to live there then call some builders and get a darn estimate.

 

[The Spin Meister]

He should just ask RangerDan

I thought you were gonna post costs if built by Dambly Interglobal....

 

[Obliviax]

Right on.

The questions the OP is asking shows he is in no position to undertake speculative real estate development. Especially in an area in which he presumably does not live or have any real understanding of the micro level real estate market.

If the OP wants to live there then call some builders and get a darn estimate.

LOL....I've build 5 homes. The one I live in how was a major redo.

The correct answer is that there are fixed cost items (wood, sheet rock, basic plumbing, basic electrical). The variables are the finishes (roofing, finish plumbing, appliances, flooring). But these variables are typically given a range depending upon market penetration....Whatever.

 

[Nitt1300]

LOL....I've build 5 homes. The one I live in how was a major redo.

The correct answer is that there are fixed cost items (wood, sheet rock, basic plumbing, basic electrical). The variables are the finishes (roofing, finish plumbing, appliances, flooring). But these variables are typically given a range depending upon market penetration....Whatever.

Yes, they are- and then budgets are blown or expectations dashed (or both) because buyers didn't take the time to understand what's involved. It's a lazy and frankly stupid practice by buyers and an unethical one by builders who don't respect their own profession. Good luck to you.

 

[diontechristmas]

LOL....I've build 5 homes. The one I live in how was a major redo.

The correct answer is that there are fixed cost items (wood, sheet rock, basic plumbing, basic electrical). The variables are the finishes (roofing, finish plumbing, appliances, flooring). But these variables are typically given a range depending upon market penetration....Whatever.

Define built. Like you built it physically, or gave someone money and picked out the color of the carpet?

Ha, now you’re the expert. Earlier today you were asking a football message board about real estate advice and giving us about 5% of the substantive info needed to provide you with any.

 

[Obliviax]

Ha, now you’re the expert. Earlier today you were asking a football message board about real estate advice and giving us about 5% of the substantive info needed to provide you with any.

Why did you reply?

 

[diontechristmas]

Why did you reply?

Your constant humblebrags, which I question the validity of, are super annoying. I couldn’t resist and I regret my moment of weakness.

 

[ga.lion]

Hi all. What is the cost for new construction in Central PA, or any non-big city, per square foot without the lot?

I have a line on a really nice lot, appears the previous owners were transferring in, and got into some financial trouble, and need to sell it at the price they bought it for in 2009.

I am thinking of buying it and building a home on it to live in or sell. But I need to buy it today....It appears to be 33% below cost.

Thanks!

I’d say $140–160 for first class set up

 

[LurkerLazarus]

I looked at Zillow, and am shocked to see that the northern Pittsburgh suburbs are more reasonable than State College.

I mean, seriously. Some of those houses priced north of $500K are very pedestrian. I know that isn't their final sales price, but sheesh.

 

[Sproul]

I looked at Zillow, and am shocked to see that the northern Pittsburgh suburbs are more reasonable than State College.

I mean, seriously. Some of those houses priced north of $500K are very pedestrian. I know that isn't their final sales price, but sheesh.

The stepford wives here in SC love their cheaply built S&A homes with 5 houses in view at all times (3 in the back, one on each side, minimum distance required by code away). Throw in the HOA fee and it’s just a recipe for awfulness. And they start at 330k

 

[step.eng69]

Here is another you might find interesting:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/646-Royal-Cir-State-College-PA-16801/127098638_zpid/

There ya go Obli, the man has delivered some food for thought.

 

[screw44]

Depends on a lot of factors. You could probably get it done as cheap as $75 per SF or over $200 per SF.

Over 200

 

[diontechristmas]

Why did you reply?

By the way I’m not a builder, but my father in law is. He is great at the operational side of the business of course, but not really into the marketing and sales aspect. I work in sales and have helped him over the years market his business and spec houses. I am not an expert either, but am intimately familiar with the process he goes through when planning and constructing a spec. It is much more than price per square, and one must have a very good handle on the local market to construct and sell a spec in a reasonable timeframe at a decent profit. I’m talking mostly about these one off specs and not massive subdivisions. I’m any event good luck to you whatever you decide and show is a picture of the finished product