Special feature: Don't wait, just move in to that new house

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By Michele Lerner SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Buyers ready to move into a new home fast can search for newly built homes, which are ready or almost ready for occupancy, under several names. Quick move-in, inventory, ready-to-move or immediate-delivery homes are a few of the names used by builders to identify these residences.

Homebuyers who are relocating to the Washington area or have sold their current home and need to move into a new one are naturally interested in this type of home. Other buyers look for immediate-delivery homes so that they can see the home in a completed state, avoid spending time choosing optional features or buy a new home at a lower price.

However, immediate-delivery homes sometimes come with a higher price tag than to-be-built homes because a variety of optional features are included. In order to determine whether the home is a "bargain," buyers need to make sure they understand the value of the homesite and the optional features they get with their new home.

Immediate-delivery homes can be found by searching the Web sites of individual builders or at the sales offices of communities under development.

The following sampling of immediate-delivery homes in the District, Maryland and Virginia were recently listed on the Web sites of various builders and may or may not still be available at the time of publication.

Craftmark Homes Inc. (www.craftmarkhomes.com) has a Wintergreen model available now at the Meadows at Morris Farm in Gainesville, priced at $454,900. This 3,128-square-foot home has four bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, a finished lower-level recreation room, an oak staircase, hardwood floors on the first floor, a family room with a gas fireplace and stainless steel appliances and granite counters in the kitchen. In addition, this model has a first-floor master suite with a vaulted ceiling and is Energy Star certified. Call 703/754-3469.

At the Village of Waxpool in Ashburn, two Oakton Alternate models are available soon, one in August and one in October, priced at $842,900 and $869,900. Each is set on a half-acre homesite and has from 6,345 to 6,825 finished square feet. These homes have five bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths and a three-car side-entry garage; include Energy Star certification; kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite kitchen counters and upgraded cherry cabinets; extensive hardwood floors; a finished basement with a den and full bath; and stone fireplaces in both the family room and the recreation room. Call 571/223-0099.

At Annapolis Rock in Damascus, a Kenwood model is available with 5,136 finished square feet. This home has a brick-and-stone front, hardwood floors on the main level, a morning room, a two-story stone fireplace in the family room, four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and a three-car garage. The home is priced at $849,900. Call 301/253-2632.

At Clarksburg Village, a Chevy Chase Alternate model is available, with four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, a brick facade and a price of $669,990. This home has about 3,500 square feet with a 4-foot extension on three rooms, a finished lower level, hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances, granite counters and birch cabinets in the kitchen. Call 301/528-5106.

K. Hovnanian Homes (www.khov.com) has a single-family home available at Garrison Woods in Triangle, priced at $399,990. This home has 3,500 square feet with five bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and a two-car garage. Upgrades include a brick front, a finished basement, a fireplace and hardwood floors. Call 866/407-3843.