Who hasn’t taken a Sunday drive and driven past a sign that said “brand new community” and wondered what it must be like to live there? Who wouldn’t want to be the first person to live in a brand-spanking-new home?
Some homebuyers are more skeptical. Maybe they’ve watched a few too many episodes of House Hunters where every option the buyer liked, from cherry wood kitchen cabinets to the toilet in the ceramic-tiled bath, was an upgrade. Dealing with new construction, they wonder if they are really getting a custom home or just paying a premium for everything they are buying.
Andrew Innocenti is a Realtor and Real Estate Professional with Keller Williams The Trembley Group in Myrtle Beach, doing business along the entire Grand Strand. Andrew works closely with Caviness & Cates, a North Carolina builder active in the Myrtle Beach market.
Andrew says there are lots of good reasons to buy new construction. “It took one of my clients about six months of searching real estate listings up and down the Grand Strand before they stopped into one of my Sunday open-houses and settled on buying a new construction home. My listing was in their price range,” Andrew said. “All the existing properties in their price range needed significant updates and renovations to get them what they wanted.” Considering the already large purchase price, Andrew’s clients were not able to find the extra funds for customizations and add-ons. Deciding on a new construction home was easy. “But when they started moving forward with the process, they learned it’s not as simple as just having a custom home built to their specifications.”
The experience of building new construction varies from buyer to buyer because the policies, skills, and options offered varies among builders. “My clients got lucky since Caviness & Cates had been building new houses for more than 20 years, and has a great reputation for both reliability and the quality of the homes they produce,” Andrew said. “It was really the luck of the draw. They could have chosen a Realtor and a builder with less proven experience and without the Caviness & Cates reputation.”
When choosing a builder for a new construction home, it’s important to look beyond the pretty pictures on their website. “You can’t get too much information when making such a big financial commitment. It’s always a good idea to check out homes they’ve completed, talk to homebuyers who have previously built with them, and make sure there are no major complaints filed against them,” Andrew says. “My clients were lucky they stumbled onto such a great builder for their home. Some buyers of new construction aren’t so lucky. Buyers of new construction need to make sure their home builder can deliver what they bargained for.”
Caviness & Cates
Founded in 1999, Caviness & Cates has grown from building a few homes a year to being listed as one of the nation’s Top 100 Builders. Their success has been achieved by building a team of employees and contractors who understand and are committed to first-class customer service and a quality product. Andrew Innocenti, and Keller Williams The Trembley Group, share the commitment and is the Caviness & Cates’ Realtor in Myrtle Beach.
Caviness & Cates and Keller Williams The Trembley Group are a good partnership. Both companies were built on a foundation of first-rate customer service. A home will likely be one of the most significant purchases most people make. More than just a dollar investment, there are strong beliefs and emotions associated with a home investment. Both Caviness & Cates and Keller Williams The Trembley Group understand that emotional investment and as Realtors and builders treat every home purchase as a high priority. Both companies assure their clients’ and customers’ voices are heard and respected. Both companies’ business depends on referrals from happy customers, so their customers’ satisfaction is the foundation of their success.
With home offices just up the road, Caviness & Cates is building new homes in their backyard. They know and handpick the best neighborhoods and have strong relationships with the most reliable and reputable subcontractors, Realtors, and product vendors. The Keller Williams The Trembley Group and Caviness & Cates team encourage homebuyers to participate in every stage of the building process – from visiting a neighborhood’s model homes to selecting finishes to closing and move-in.
Search Caviness & Cates Homes For Sale Now!
In It for the Long Haul
For ten years, Caviness & Cates has had the good fortune to be recognized by Builder Magazine as one of the Top 100 Builders in the nation. The recognition is an indication of the company’s strength and stability. Though relatively new, Keller Williams The Trembley Group’s close-knit and committed Real Estate Professionals have made the company one of the leading real estate companies in Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand. Neither company is going anywhere. Both companies intend on being available to support their current and future clients through the entire home purchase process and into the future!
Andrew Innocenti
Andrew Innocenti is originally from Fair Lawn, NJ. After high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years including a deployment in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. The Marine Corps had always played a major role as the first force on the ground in most conflicts. Today, Marines are stationed around the world, at all times ready to quickly deploy whenever and wherever needed.
The Marine Corps also teaches there is no higher honor than to fight and win for our nation. Andrew has carried the same sense of honor, service, and commitment into his civilian life with Keller Williams The Trembley Group. Honor, courage, and commitment are the core values that drive every action of every Marine, but it is the fighting spirit within that ensures their victory.
Marines believe there are no jobs, only battles won, and Andrew carries the same fighting spirit into every negotiation for his clients. Keller Williams The Trembley Group was a perfect fit for Andrew. The company’s training, structure, and support combined with Andrew Innocenti’s commitment to win for his clients is the perfect combination for all their real estate dealings.
At the end of his tour in the Marines, Andrew booked a cruise with some of his Marine brothers where he met his wife, Michelle. They made their way south shortly after they met, and they have never looked back! They currently live in Murrells Inlet and absolutely love living on the Grand Strand. Andrew and Michelle have been together for over ten years and recently had their first son, Lincoln Rhett Innocenti. Andrew’s family spend their time at the beach, on the river, and at all types of festivals. Andrew’s commitment to the Grand Strand equals his dedication to his clients.
Why Buy New Construction?
“There’s something to be said for moving into a home that nobody has lived in before. Everything is perfectly clean and pristine. And every detail, from the major appliances to the crown molding and the baseboards, seems like they were put there especially for you,” Andrew Says. “All of my clients who’ve bought pre-owned properties, love them. But for those who like to keep things extra clean or who worry about all the potential scary surprises from a resale home, starting from scratch with new construction is the best way to go.”
“I’m a guy, and I like to take care of my home,” Andrew says. “It’s pretty simple. Newly constructed homes hold up better than of existing homes, with their years of wear and tear.” People who buy existing houses are usually faced with carpet that needs to be replaced, or rooms that need to be repainted, or worn-out appliances, or the flooring that needs refinishing. Andrew says, “When someone buys a new home in today’s market, it really is new. There are no worries.”
At the same time, today’s new homes are engineered specifically to minimize maintenance. For example, Andrew points to the composite materials that Caviness & Cates use for their home’s exterior siding and trim. “A homeowner doesn’t have to worry about wood rot or repainting. Paint can cover a lot of sins,” says Andrew. “You can buy an existing house, but you don’t know everything you’re getting. There could be a lot of deferred maintenance. I like Caviness & Cates because they look down the road and make things as easy as possible for the homeowner. They make it easy for a homeowner to enjoy their home without being saddled with a ton of maintenance.”
“What I particularly like about Caviness & Cates is their Homeowners Warranty,” Andrew Innocenti says. “Most builders usually agree to take care of the repair work in a newly constructed home for usually the first year.” So, if a roof leaks or the air-conditioner breaks during the first year, the builder will pick up the tab for the repairs. After that, homeowners are on their own.
“Caviness & Cates has one of the best homeowner warranties in the business. They back what they build,” says Andrew. “For the first year, they warranty their home equipment to be free from defects in material and workmanship. They offer a two-year limited mechanical warranty covering Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC systems. And the structure has a warranty for ten years. As far as I know, that’s the best warranty in the industry. And Caviness & Cates has been building for twenty years, so you know that they’ll be around to cover their work.”
Andrew Innocenti is marketing new homes for Caviness & Cates in four areas along the Grand Strand.
Hillsborough
Keller Williams The Trembley Group currently has five listings (all move-in ready) and two lots in Hillsborough nestled within wooded surroundings situated off of Hwy 90 and only minutes from charming downtown Conway and the amazing Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. Prices start in the low 200’s. The perfectly landscaped entrance leads to a community amenity center with a pool, clubhouse, and playground. Hillsborough is the natural place to call home.
Hillsborough is one of the nicest subdivisions in Conway. Development began around 2007. The affordable three and four-bedroom homes were originally built with many extras such as fireplaces, cathedral ceilings, and screened porches, yet average prices start in the low $200,000’s. Many have large lots and overlook a beautiful lake on the property.
Indigo Bay
Andrew Inocenti also has three listings in Indigo Bay (move-in ready homes) and four lots. Located in the middle of Carolina Forest, Indigo Bay is a planned community that began in 2016. Its three and four-bedroom Charleston low-country homes are clustered around a fifty-acre natural lake. Indigo Bay is gated, and the area has all the amenities imaginable. Prices start in the mid 300’s.
Carolina Forest has long been one of the most popular communities for families and those who appreciate outdoor activities and a close-knit group of neighbors. It’s just minutes from the beach and everything else that the Grand Strand has to offer. Indigo Bay seems far away from the Myrtle Beach crowds and traffic. The schools in Carolina Forest are award-winning and some of the best in the state.
Waterbridge
Andrew Innocenti and Keller Williams The Trembley Group have one move-in ready home in Waterbridge. Waterbridge was voted the best amenity center in the grand strand. The community is situated
on 120 acres of federally protected woodlands. Waterbridge is a resort-style community with attractive coastal cottage style homes that focus on casual coastal living in a natural setting. Waterbridge features over 80 acres of lakes and natural areas throughout the property. A spectacular swimming pool complex and restful parks throughout Waterbridge offers a refuge of an island escape. Waterbridge calls residents to linger on wraparound porches and engage in quiet conversation or reflection. Waterbridge residents can play in the spectacular pool or enjoy the luxury of always having something the family loves around every corner. The Keller Williams The Tremley Group listing is priced at 360k.
North Village
Andrew Innocenti and Keller Williams The Trembley Group also have two move-in ready homes in North Village. Quaint, quiet North Village is a little removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Myrtle Beach and the tourist season. The North Village community is conveniently located on Highway 57 just a short hop from Hwys 9 and 31 in Little River. Homeowners are never more than minutes from world-class beaches in Cherry Grove and North Myrtle Beach, several championship-caliber golf courses, the home of the famous Blue Crab festival, and anywhere else along the Grand Strand. North Village also offers easy access to shopping, dining, and medical care. Andrew’s North Village listings are priced from the low to the mid 200s.
Wild Wing Plantation
Andrew Innocenti and Keller Williams The Trembley Group has one buildable lot and four move-in ready homes in Wild Wing Plantation. Wild Wing Plantation is located off Highway 501 on the beautiful Wild Wing Golf Course near the Carolina Forest section of Myrtle Beach. This community is close to area shopping, dining, and entertainment, as well as just a short drive away from Myrtle Beach attractions and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, easily accessible by nearby Highway 501. Located in Conway, the subdivision is just minutes from all the area has to offer. Whether it’s boating, golfing, biking, running, fitness center, basketball, playground, or tennis, this community offers it all. Homes are priced in the low 300’s to high 300’s.
When buying new construction, homebuyers need to be deliberate about asking the right questions. Andrew Innocenti believes the old cliché that the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. “The more that’s understood before starting the better prepared the new home buyer will be and the better the chances of getting through the process with sanity intact.”
So, a homebuyer has been hard at work. They’ve saved their money, they’ve maximized their credit score, and they’ve finally amassed enough cash for a down payment for a first home. Or, perhaps a homebuyer is looking to sell their current house and upgrade to a new home. In either case, they might find themselves considering a new construction home. It makes sense. New construction homes are a sound plan for many buyers. Andrew Innocenti, Keller Williams The Trembley Group, and Caviness and Cates are the best team in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand to make a new-construction dream home a reality.
Need help? Call Keller Williams The Trembley Group at 843.945.1880 ext. 1 and we’ll help you look for the perfect listing or buyers agent!
At Keller Williams The Trembley Group, we pride ourselves on being the experts at more than just selling real estate. We are local residents, some of us have been here for a lifetime. The rest of us will be here until the end of time. We love living, working, and playing in the diverse backyard of Coastal Carolina, and look forward to helping you live and love your dreams soon too. Please reach out to us by phone or email for personalized service and one-on-one advice.
About our blog
Our agents write often to give you the latest insights on owning a home or property in the Myrtle Beach, SC area.
If you’re thinking of buying a new construction home, I highly recommend hiring an agent, and there are a few reasons why.