What to Expect in a New Construction Home Community

What to Expect in a New Construction Community

If your home search is turning up a lot of dead ends, you might be looking in the wrong places. Have you considered buying in a new construction community? At Holt Homes, we build Master planned communities with amenities just outside your doorstep and homes that are modern, energy-efficient and that you can personalize. Where existing construction may fall short, a personalized home comes equipped with modern conveniences, and the option to scale your home to your family’s needs including multi-generational living or a larger garage. For first time buyers of new construction homes, the process may seem daunting, but at Holt Homes we strive to make the experience seamless from start to finish. Let’s explore the new home construction process, costs, energy efficiency and community features so you can be sure a new construction home is right for you. 

5 Key Steps to Buying a New Construction Home

To help you understand what to expect when buying a new construction home, we’ve laid out these five efficient steps that capture each phase of the process.

Step 1: Researching New Construction Communities

Take some time to consider your lifestyle and put together a wish list. How do your daily needs dictate the type of community of new construction homes that is right for you? From easy access to work or school, proximity to outdoor recreation, conveniently located amenities and even the reputation of the builder, it’s important to consider which are your highest priorities. Whether you’re seeking a community that’s more rural or urban, tailored for families with children or that features robust community resources, Holt Homes has a community to meet your needs.

Step 2: Understanding the Cost of Building a New Home

Many factors contribute to the cost of building a new home including land, materials and labor. When comparing the cost of new construction to the purchase of an existing home, a new construction home typically comes with a higher upfront cost. This is due to acquisition of land and materials, and any personalization and upgrades that you select for your home. This may seem like a barrier for many buyers, but it’s important to consider the long-term and surprise costs associated with purchasing existing homes. Renovations and repairs to existing homes can be costly and often they’re unexpected. For many buyers, the peace of mind of new construction is enough to justify the higher cost of selecting a new-build home.

Step 3: Selecting a Floor Plan & Personalization Options

Whether your budget is substantial or more moderate, a new construction home gives you the flexibility to choose a floor plan that meets your needs. If cost is top of mind, selecting a standard floor plan and passing on personalized design features and upgrades is a great way to stay within budget while still enjoying all the benefits of new construction. Choosing energy-efficient appliances and smart home technologies are both ways to save money over time. For those buyers with more flexibility in spending, there’s myriad ways to personalize your new construction home and plenty of options to upgrade!

Step 4: The Construction Timeline & Process

Before you’ve identified a community you’d like to build in and landed on the right floor plan, it’s crucial to understand your financing. Working with a Holt Homes preferred lender to receive pre-approval for a mortgage will help ensure a seamless timeline. With a pre-approval in hand, what comes next? First you’ll work with a Holt Home Community Sales Consultant to find a buildsite. Then, you’ll partner with the Holt Homes design center to bring your customized home to life. When weather conditions become favorable, then the construction team will break ground! Spring is an ideal time for construction to start. Depending on the size and amount of personalization of your home, construction may take on average six months. With weekly check-ins from your Holt Homes team, you’ll be able to track progress and watch as your dream home comes to life. Once construction wraps up, and before closing, your home will undergo inspections and you’ll participate in a final walk through to make sure every detail is perfectly in place!

Step 5: Closing on Your New Construction Home

Unlike purchasing an existing home, a new construction home may require two phases to finalize a mortgage. While some lenders offer a construction-to-permanent loan, others ask that you first secure a construction loan, which will later transition to a permanent mortgage once construction is complete. This process may involve a refinance or that you complete a new loan application to finalize the mortgage. If you’ve selected a Holt Homes community with an HOA, prorated fees will be included in the closing costs.

Once closing is complete, and with keys in-hand, it’s time to move in. While it’s rare, there is a chance that something in your new home may require follow-up to perfect. Before you begin hauling in boxes, it’s a good idea to spend some time ensuring every aspect of your home is in tip-top condition: run the showers, test the heating, fiddle with any automated systems, make sure all the appliances are functioning, etc. Bring anything you find to the attention of your Holt Homes representative so it can be attended to as quickly as possible.  

Top Benefits of Buying a New Construction Home

For buyers looking for something long-lasting, even their forever home, selecting a new construction home can be the ideal choice. From personalization to incredible energy efficiency and warranty protections, there’s a lot to love about pursuing this option!

Customization & Modern Designs

New construction builds from Holt Homes are modern homes for modern living. Featuring popular open floor plans, smart technology and the opportunity to personalize nearly every inch, new construction is ideal for buyers looking for contemporary comforts. With numerous floor plans to choose from, there’s a perfect pick for every buyer.

Low Maintenance & Warranty Protection

If the idea of renovations and periodic repairs has you losing sleep at night, then the ease and low-maintenance of a new construction home is right for you! Beyond simply being fresh, new and modern, all Holt Homes come with a home warranty from 2-10 Home Warranty. This Builder Backed Warranty Program comes in handy on those rare, but potentially costly, occasions when something goes wrong. This valuable peace of mind is just one more reason why a new construction home is worth the investment!

Are New Construction Homes Energy Efficient?

Yes, absolutely! Innovations in construction materials and practices as well as the technology found in modern homes have helped to produce some of the most energy efficient dwellings to ever hit the market. From better insulation, improved windows and efficient HVAC systems, new construction homes are built not only to save you money over time but to be kinder to the planet.

Community Amenities and Perks

When you choose a new construction home from Holt Homes, you aren’t just purchasing a new house; you’re buying into a new community. Planned communities are built to offer attractive amenities for residents of all ages, including walking trails, parks, community centers, and more. And, you’ll be in good company knowing that others have sought out the type of lifestyle that you find so attractive. A new community of friends and neighbors is waiting for you!

HOA Fees in New Construction Communities

Homeowner Associations are frequently utilized to foster community and help maintain the standard of living that residents have sought out. With each household contributing, HOA fees are utilized to cover the cost of landscaping, amenitiesand more. Owners of a new construction home in a community with an HOA may find this as an attractive feature, especially for those with busy lifestyles that enjoy the perks of built-in maintenance to common areas. The level of care provided by an HOA is also a valuable means of maintaining property values.

Conclusion

By choosing a new construction home in a Holt Homes community, you’re investing in a personalized, energy-efficient home That’s built to fit your life. With new communities across Oregon and Washington, there’s never been a better time to discover the difference Holt Homes offers. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to tour a model home or explore available homesites.

*All selections subject to change depending on availability