We are a picture-taking group. We swarm to take pictures of sights and people on vacations, we take medleys of photographs at family gatherings to commemorate our time together, and we chronicle the growth of our children for posterity by whipping out our Kodaks. But do we take pictures of our new home being constructed? Some may take a token picture or two, perhaps one of the home site and one of a framed house, with the last of the finished product. But what better way to not only remember our beginnings, but also document our new home's progress?

Sometimes words don't quite say it all when we have an issue or a query. Communication, even in our own language, can be misinterpreted at best, leaving the picture incomplete in describing what it is we want to say to the builder regarding this edifice we are about to mortgage our futures on. Below are a few purposes for wielding a camera for the picture-happy homeowner-to-be:

Memories: We'll talk about the fluffy stuff first. Going from an empty home site to a finished lot will always be reason enough to say it all with pictures. New homes are literally stuff American dreams are made of, and it is no doubt great to look back on the creation of a place in which we will share our lives. The years we spend decorating our new home is a labor of love and a commitment we take seriously. Did you ever stop to notice how neighborhoods with brand new homes seem to be "fussed over" in comparison to those, perhaps 10 or 20 years old? That's because the first owner of a new home tends to take a great deal of pride of ownership as the first occupants.

Few people buy new homes with the intent to move very soon, so they pour their hearts and money into their new nests. Take all the happy pictures you can of this blessed stage of your life, for these years and that energy cannot be replaced.

Construction Questions: Are you the type of buyer that watches every stick go up, and hesitates to ask questions when he is curious about the process? Perhaps you question the structural integrity of the lumber and trusses going up; maybe those holes in the sheet rock bother you tremendously. Are you more than a bit puzzled by the way they are wiring the electrical options you ordered for your family room? Rather than stop and bug the building superintendent each time you have a nagging question, why not take a few snapshots, attach your questions on a separate piece of paper, and leave it with your sales consultant to research. (How civilized!) Most builders are nervous about buyers poking around the construction site unsupervised, so ask a sales person to escort you for this purpose, if permitted.

Design Center Choices: How many buyers make all their elaborate choices for options and upgrades, only to sense them fading in their memory once the home is almost finished? Why not take the camera along and photograph the carpet, tile, cabinets and appliances, so that there is no confusion at the walk through that what was installed was what you originally chose? The Design Center consultant might think you a bit daffy, but who cares? It's not their money! It's also great entertainment to view these shots over and over again while biding your time during construction. After all, you have such great taste . . .

The Final Walk Through: Now this is a novel idea, if I must say so myself. How about video taping the walk through with the construction person or customer service representative? (I may get a few letters on this one from my builder friends.) If there are important facts to remember regarding the builder's new home orientation (how to use the setbacks on the thermostat, where important electrical panels are located, or how to take care of your new appliances), what better refresher course could you want? And how about those little walk-through "items" you want to point out? Although they may be documented on paper, the builder's rep may say things to you resembling commitments to repair them that may not be on the checklist. A little proof may go a long way with a warranty department several months down the road.

Using a camera to document your new home's creation, quirks, and crowning glories may sound a bit over-wrought to some. But perhaps if one looks at it as insurance as well as memories this bit of "retentiveness" may begin to make sense. Most builders would not consider it a threat; the good ones will have nothing to hide, and you will have the satisfaction of having tangible illustrations for future use with one of the biggest investments most of us make.

Published: August 13, 1999

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