New Construction

Dallas/Fort Worth is the 6th largest residential real estate market in the county and growing! There are lots of new construction homes in Frisco, McKinney, Mansfield, Flower Mound and elsewhere in the Metroplex. Buying a new home is always exciting and sometimes it’s thrilling to know you’re the first one to inhabit a newly built home. As you’ve probably noticed, there’s a lot going on in Dallas Fort Worth new construction market. Lack of inventory of existing homes is creating a noticeable demand for housing, thus creating a strong need for brand new homes.

There are many benefits to buying brand new construction homes in DFW, or elsewhere in North Texas, including energy and cost savings. Today's new homes are far more energy-efficient than homes built just seven years ago. New homes may also offer advanced technology and design, saving you time and money. Customizing a home to your exact wants and needs can be a very rewarding experience.

You can buy a brand-new home in one of three ways:

·       Buying a house already built (spec home)

·       Having a home built as part of a development (you can choose from a set palette of finishes and upgrades)

·       Having a custom home designed and built to your exact specifications

New construction can be a great option for homebuyers. New construction means you get to live in a pristine, untouched home. When you’re buying new construction, you can customize finishes for a look you love. You won’t have to worry about making upgrades for years to come.

There are many reasons why you should use a Realtor for new construction. It’s always wise to have a professional on your side and a real estate agent can give you a sense of security in the transaction.

The Headed Home Group Can Save You Money on New Construction

Some buyers believe you don’t need a Realtor when buying new construction. Their thinking is that avoiding a Realtor will save them money on the transaction. This isn’t true, as working with a new construction Realtor can actually help you save money.

When you don’t work with a Realtor, you are letting the builder’s agent represent you. The builder’s representative won’t be working in your best interest. This means you are not their top priority, as they are working for the builder. Having representation from the Headed Home Group means that an experienced professional has your back. We will advocate and stand up for you throughout the entire transaction.

A new home can be expensive, especially if you’re opting for new construction. In many cases, builders advertise the base price of their homes. This is often for the most basic model of the home. It’s likely not the home you see when you tour the model. Models usually include many upgrades.

However, one of the benefits of buying new construction is customization. You can make a new construction home your own. One of the benefits of working with the Headed Home Group is that we can negotiate the customizations with the builder on your behalf. This can help ensure you get a fair price for your upgrades and alterations to the floor plan, saving you money in the long run.

Should I get an inspection?

You know you need an inspection when you buy an existing home, but did you know an inspection is an important part of buying new construction? Let the Headed Home Group guide you this very critical yet sometimes overlooked step in the new home buying process. Inspections are only one example of a real estate contract contingency that we can suggest to a buyer when buying new construction.  It’s highly recommended you get an inspection on new construction before the closing occurs.

Keep the Transaction & Build On Schedule

Buying new construction is a pretty complex process. There are many moving parts and it can be easy for the transaction and/or build to get off track.

Another excellent reason to the Headed Home Group when buying new construction is the ability an experienced agent will have to keep the transaction and/or build on track.  There are many reasons why real estate closings are delayed with existing homes and with new builds there are even more.

Depending on factors such as the size of a home, weather, and the builder, new homes can take a few months to a year to build.

Generally speaking you should expect a new home to be built in 12-14 weeks.  Below is an idea of what happens during the 12-14 week time frame.

Week 1 – Site Preparation – During the first week the area where the new home is being built is prepared for the build phase.  This includes the clearing of the lot, excavation, and leveling of the lot.

Week 2-5 – Foundation – During this 4 week process the bones of the new home are built.  This means the footers are installed, followed by the foundation, and last but not least the homes frame is built.

Week 6-8 – Mechanics & Interior – During the next 3 weeks the homes mechanics are put in place.  This generally means the homes HVAC is installed, electrical wiring is run, and the homes plumbing is put in place.  Once this is completed, the homes insulation and drywall is installed.

Week 9-11 – Flooring & Paint – Over the next 3 weeks, the homes flooring, doors, and cabinetry are installed.  At this time the interior of the home is painted as well.

Week 12-14 –  Fixtures, Appliances, Landscaping – The final 3 weeks is when the homes light fixtures, faucets, appliances, and landscaping is installed.

Week 14 – Final Walk Through – Once the home is completed, the buyer will do a final walk through in addition to the municipalities inspector with the builder prior to issuing the certificate of occupancy, also known as a C of O.

It’s important to understand that the above timeline for new construction can vary.  As you can see there are many moving parts and stages of new construction.  It’s a good idea to have us by your side when buying a new home so that everything stays on track for a smooth transaction and closing.

If you decide that you’d like to buy new construction, as you can see, there are lots of benefits to hiring the Headed Home Group.  It’s strongly recommended that you do not attempt it without representation.  Having a professional working on your behalf can go a long way and save you lots of time, money, and additional stress.