If you’re exploring the option of buying a new construction home in Boise or its surrounding areas, chances are you’ve got some questions about how it all works. While the process does require a few more steps than buying a used home, it’s all worth it in the end. Not only do you get to select a floor plan and homesite that exactly fit your needs, you get to choose the finishes and features that you’ve always dreamed of in a home. Here’s how the new home buying process typically works:

1) Floor Plan Selection

Your New Construction Specialist is likely the first person you will meet when you walk into a model home or community sales center. He or she will work with you to select your floor plan, asking questions about how you like to live and what you want to change about your current living situation. At Tresidio Homes, we offer a variety of plans with different lifestyle opportunities, and even can personalize those plans to meet your requirements. As you go through the floor plan selection process, there are a few questions you should ask yourself early on:

• Do you plan to start or grow a family?
• Within the next 5-10 years will you want the flexibility of stairs, or will you need most of your living on the first floor?
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need to comfortably accommodate your family and guests?
• Where should the bedrooms be located in the home?
• Do you ever work from home?
• Do you enjoy entertaining?

Knowing the answers to these questions up front will help your New Construction Specialist narrow down the best options, and save you time in making a final selection.

2) Homesite Selection

The next step is deciding which community to build your floor plan in, or if you already have that narrowed down, where in the community you’d like your home to be located. Most builders typically release homesites in phases, so that they can build out one area of a community at a time, creating a neighborhood feel right from the beginning. Homesites within a phase can have lots of variety, so it’s best to consider the ideal type of land for your lifestyle:

• Do you need a flat, grassy yard for your kids to run? 
• Do you prefer mature trees for privacy or shade?
• What would be your ideal view from a particular room in the house?
• Would you prefer a smaller lot so you have less yard maintenance?
• Do you prefer the privacy of a corner or cul-de-sac lot?

Again, thinking about these answers now will make the decision-making easier, allowing you to reserve your perfect homesite before anyone else does.

3) Financing

When you’re building a new home within a community, the builder typically assumes the construction loan, which means the building company owns the homesite until construction is complete. You would pay a deposit (similar to earnest money in the case of a used home) in order for construction to begin. Once the home is complete, you would take out a regular mortgage based on the terms agreed upon with your lender, and at closing, ownership of the land and home transfers from the builder to you. 

To help the process move even faster, speak with a lender as soon as you start searching for a home, so that you can get pre-qualified. You may have to gather additional paperwork or fix an item on your credit report in order to be approved for a loan, and it’s best to get these items taken care of as early as possible. For more information on new home financing, please contact us to speak with a preferred lender. 

4) Sales Agreement

Once you’ve got your financing in order, the builder will need a signed sales agreement in order to kick off the building process. This contract will cover the basics of the decisions you’ve made up until this point: floor plan, lot, address, price, items that are included with the home, and any special conditions. It will also include timelines for selections, deposits, and the construction process itself, so that your build stays on schedule. Lastly, the contract will include the contact information for key people you’ll need to communicate with along the way. Once all parties sign off, the sales agreement serves as a guide to getting your house built on time and within budget!

5) Finishes

Once your sales agreement is finalized, it’s time for some fun! A builder typically allows homebuyers to make some or all finish selections in the Design Studio, so that their home is a true reflection of their style. You’ll work with a professional interior designer to select cabinets, flooring, light fixtures, paint colors, exterior elevations, landscaping, and more. 

A useful tip is to keep a record of your favorite interior looks — that could be magazine clippings or Instagram photos saved to a folder. It’s best to go into your design appointment having an idea of what you like; that way, your designer can present a few options that really hit the mark. By working with a professional designer, you’ll have the benefit and peace of mind knowing that everything you selected will work together cohesively in your home.

6) Construction Process

By the time construction starts, all your selections have been finalized, pricing has been set, and agreements have been signed. Pouring the foundation of your dream home is one of life’s most exciting moments! Throughout the process, your Project Manager will keep you in the loop with updates and developments, often through a weekly email or phone call. You’ll also participate in a series of walk-throughs to make sure you are satisfied with the progress. Construction times vary depending on the level of customization, but the wait is always worth it.

7) Closing on Your New Home

Construction is complete and you’re almost to the finish line! All you have to do is attend your New Home Orientation to learn how your home and all its systems work. Once your builder has your final sign-off, you’ll close on your new home, receive the keys, and move into the dream home you’ve worked so hard for. HOME SWEET HOME. 

There’s a lot that goes into buying a new construction home, but working with a great builder makes the process smooth, exciting, and enjoyable! For more information on building in the Boise area with Tresidio Homes, please contact us. We can’t wait to start building with you!