14 Steps to Owning a New Construction Home

Updated April 25, 2023

Just like shopping for a car, when shopping for a home, you have two options — new or used. We’ve written articles in the past about the benefits of a new home compared to a used (resale) home, which includes modern design and savings on maintenance, renovations, and energy bills, to name a few.

But, what is the process to purchase a new construction home? Here are 14 simple steps to lead you down the path of owning a new construction home.

1. 

   Visit a New Home Sales Center: Most home builders typically have a regional sales office or a sales office in each individual community. Here at Highland Homes, we have fully decorated models with sales offices in our neighborhoods throughout Central, North Central, Southwest, and Tampa Bay, Florida. Explore our >Florida new home communities and call us, request information online, or visit one of our model centers which are open 7 days a week!
2. Select Your Ideal Home Design and Home Site: Your knowledgeable New Home Specialist will discuss what is important for you to have in your new home, and help you select the home plan which best fits your needs and budget. Highland Homes builds more than 30 unique home plans offering up to 3,315 sq. ft. of living space with three to six bedrooms and a variety of popular features, so we have the perfect home for most home shoppers.
3. Pre-Qualify for a Mortgage (Or, Purchase with Cash!): If, like most, you are financing your home purchase, determining your purchasing power is an important step. To help take out the guesswork and provide you with some of the best mortgage options in Florida, we work with a network of quality lender partners who can pre-qualify you online or by phone, in most cases. Plus, when you finance through one of our lender partners we will pay a portion of your closing costs, saving you money!
4. Sign the Purchase Agreement: Now, your New Home Specialist will draw up the documents to secure your desired home site, lock in your base price, and start the purchase process! To secure the purchase agreement, an earnest money deposit is due at this time. Fortunately, our low down payment finance options let you purchase with less money out of pocket than you probably thought!
5. Provide a Full Loan Application to Your Lender: To secure your mortgage financing, your lender will require a full loan application with supporting documents provided. Highland Homes will send a copy of your purchase agreement to your lender so they can get in touch with you with instructions right away. Your lender will provide you with disclosures to be signed which allows the lender to gather information from your bank, employers, and credit bureaus, as well as a personalized list of documents required - you can get prepared by reviewing this list of standard loan application documentation.
6. Personalize Your New Home: If you are building from the ground up, now it’s time for one of the most exciting steps — personalizing your new home! You will receive a call or email from your Design Consultant to schedule an appointment. The Highland Homes Personal Selection Studio is designed to help you visualize how colors and features will look in your new home, and your Design Consultant will help you explore the hundreds of available options to select the ones which perfectly match your style, needs, and budget. Just imagine moving into your home, designed personally by you, and built exclusively for you — that’s certainly not something you get in the purchase of a resale home!
7. Loan Processing: Now that your lender has your full loan application and documents, and your final purchase price with any upgrade options has been established, they can begin processing your mortgage. Completing steps 5 and 6 as soon as possible brings you one step closer to your loan being approved and the construction of your home beginning!
8. Release to Construction: Once a conditional loan approval has been provided by your lender with all credit conditions cleared and your full down payment has been received into escrow, it’s GO time and your home will be released to start construction! Permitting and site surveys are some of the first steps at release — don’t worry, Highland Homes will take care of all of these details!
9. Construction of Your New Home: Throughout construction, you will hear from Highland Homes often to keep you informed and ensure a satisfying home-building experience. At the very start, you will receive a call from your Personal Builder, who will provide you with key updates and answer questions throughout the process from release, to foundation, framing, drywall, trim out, and through completion. Here’s a more detailed step-by-step of the Highland Homes construction process.
10. Walkthroughs: Before you know it, the construction of your new home will be complete. Now, you have the opportunity to walk your completed home with your Personal Builder and wrap up any finishing touches. Then, a second walkthrough will be performed so you may sign off on the quality and completion, and your Personal Builder will demonstrate the use and maintenance of features in your new home, as well as provide warranty information.
11. Preparing to Close: As your lender works towards issuing a clear to close, they may request additional documents to finalize your loan approval, and will also need your Homeowner's Insurance Binder. Highland Homes will work closely with your lender to coordinate the details of your closing and will contact you to schedule the closing date and time. Once that's done, you can finalize your moving plans, contact utility companies to setup or transfer service to your new home, and notify banks, employers, and the USPS of your change of address. 
12. Closing and Moving Into Your New Home: The day you have been waiting for has arrived - today, you get the keys to your new home! In preparation, the title company handling your closing will have sent you a Closing Disclosure detailing your mortgage and will let you know if any money is due at closing - make sure to bring these funds in a certified or cashier’s check, or prepare a bank wire. Also, make sure to bring two forms of identification to the closing, one of which must be a photo ID. Here in Florida, it is also required that married parties both be present at the closing, with identification, regardless of whether they are both on the mortgage.
13. Relax, with Warranty Protection: One of the biggest benefits of purchasing new is your home warranty. A home is one of the largest investments you will ever make, and Highland Homes includes fantastic warranty coverage to protect your investment and peace of mind. This includes a one-year builder warranty, a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty providing 10 full years of structural defect coverage, and manufacturer warranties on products throughout your home. Should you require warranty service, we even make it easy to submit your warranty request online.
14. Love Living in Your Dream Home: It was designed by you, built for you, and now it’s yours to relax in, laugh in, play in, celebrate in, and create wonderful memories. Congratulations, and welcome home!

Our New Home Specialists would be honored to help you find your Florida new home, priced for your budget and designed for your life. For a personalized consultation and to find your dream home, call or email us today!