How buying a new construction home works
A plain, step-by-step look at buying a home that a builder is building or has just built. It is not hard, but the order matters.
Step 1: Decide what you want
Start with the area, the number of bedrooms and a monthly number you are comfortable with. A short list helps more than a long one. If you are not sure, tell me what a normal week looks like at home and we will work backward from there.
Step 2: Talk with a lender you choose
A lender can tell you what you can comfortably afford and what they will need from you. You choose the lender. Builders often have a preferred one, and you are free to compare. I do not tell you which one to use.
Step 3: I register you before your first visit
Please text me before you walk into a model home. I register you with the builder first, so I can represent you from your first visit. If you walk in alone, many builders will not add an agent afterward. You are always welcome to ask.
Step 4: Visit and compare
Models show a finished look, and some features in a model are upgrades. We look at the plan, the lot, the community and what the price includes. I can set up visits at more than one builder so you can compare side by side.
Step 5: Contract and deposit
When you choose a home, you sign the builder’s purchase contract and place a deposit. Read it closely, and ask me anything that is unclear. A deposit is a part of your purchase, not an extra fee. The deposits guide covers it in more detail.
Step 6: Design center and construction
If the home is not built yet, you choose finishes at the builder’s design center. Then construction moves through its stages, and you can have your own inspector look at the home along the way.
Step 7: Final walk-through and closing
Before closing, you walk the finished home with the builder and write down anything that needs attention. Then you sign the closing papers, receive the keys and the home is yours.
Common questions
Do I need an agent to buy from a builder?
No. But the builder’s sales team works for the builder. An agent works for you. I represent you once we agree to work together, and I register you with the builder before your first visit.
When should I contact an agent?
Before your first visit to a model or sales center. Registration usually has to happen on the first visit.
How long does it take?
It depends on the home. A home that is already built can close sooner than one that has not been started. The builder gives you an estimated date, and I confirm it with them.