Building from the Ground up? Watch this!

Building from the Ground Up

Building From the Ground Up Made Easy - Watch Video

Many people are interested in a new home but don’t see anything they already love, and they aren’t sure what the first step is to get started. Building from the ground up is easier than it sounds, because we help you all along the way. It’s not all that different from stepping into a partially finished home and choosing your selections.

Finding and Preparing Your Land

We work with you on the hard parts of picking out a property to build on. And, if you already have some land, we work with you to figure out what needs to be done to prepare your land for your new home.

Planning Your Home

We help you figure out which floor plan you want and what you want to do in your home. We guide you through all the selections that go with that, and we help you understand what’s happening during the build.

What to Expect During the Build

We send weekly emails with pictures showing you the stage of completion we’re at, and we ask if you have any questions. You’re always welcome to ask us questions too.

Timeline

We typically need about nine months to build your home. If we’re building in one of our regular communities, we know we can meet that nine-month timeline from the day you sign an agreement to the day you move in.

If you’re building on your own land out in the county, the timeline can take longer. You may need a well, a septic system, or an access road from the main road to your building site. We’ll figure out what’s involved and get a better idea of how long it will take and will help you know the next steps to take.

Financing Options

Building on your own land: If you’re building your new home in one of our communities, you may be able to use the same type of permanent financing as you would on any existing home. In some cases, we can finance your build by carrying the construction loan from the start of the build to completion. Then you move in like any other finished home, with a permanent loan or mortgage loan on the property.

Paying cash: You can also build with cash. We do that from time to time.

Construction loan that combines land and build: This type of loan combines your land with the cost of the new build, so it becomes one loan. If you already have a loan on your land, it gets married to the new house and becomes one property. We have preferred lenders who can explain the options in detail.

One-time close: Some lenders offer a one-time close, so you pay your closing fees only once. At the beginning of the build, your construction loan converts to a permanent loan, and you move in when the home is done.

Payment structures during the build: There are two main versions of this. You can make no payments during the build and start payments after the home is completed, or you can make interest-only payments on the amount that has been used so far. Because these options can get technical, our lenders will explain what fits your situation.

It’s Okay to Feel Big Feelings

Building a new home is exciting, and we work to make the process as easy as it can be. It can also be stressful, and that’s normal. It’s okay to have big feelings about a big project. We’re here for you the whole way.

If you have questions, let us know what else you’d like us to cover in future videos.