Your Ultimate Checklist for Buying New Homes in Colorado

February 28th, 2022

Your Ultimate Checklist for Buying New Homes in Colorado

New construction homes in Colorado are more attainable than you think.

Any HGTV fan knows the home-show market is flooded with shows about purchasing or fixing up existing homes. Programs like Fixer Upper, Flip or Flop, Good Bones, and others show homebuyers what can be done with a little elbow grease and determination. It’s less common, however, to find programs that focus on buying new homes. Colorado residents searching for homes for sale near me are left with a mystery surrounding the purchase of new homes in Colorado.

New Homes Made Easy

The process of buying a new home isn’t all that complicated. In fact, at Oakwood Homes, we think buying a new home should be fun. That’s why, when clients choose us, we guide them every step of the way. We want to ensure that the result is the house they’ve always dreamed of living in. If that sounds appealing, take a look at this checklist from Oakwood Homes. It’ll get you started in the right direction: finding the new home you’ve always wanted!

New Construction Homes in Colorado Make Great First Homes

Many believe that new builds are out of reach for first-time buyers. We disagree. New home builders like Oakwood Homes have homes that fit nearly every budget. New homes have many advantages over existing homes, making them an excellent investment for anyone. Before looking at new construction, though, you need to know how much home you can afford. That’s where our checklist starts.

Get prequalified for a mortgage

Before you get serious searching for new homes for sale near me, make sure you know how much home you can afford. The best way to do this is to get prequalified for a mortgage. Your banker will help you with the paperwork necessary to determine how much house you can afford based on your income, debt, and a few other factors. Through this process, you’ll also get help figuring out the down payment you’ll need to purchase the home of your dreams. Understanding what you can afford before you start looking will save lots of time during the search process.

Find a real estate agent

There are thousands of real estate agents across the country. Find one with experience in new construction in your market. One of the best ways to do this is through referrals from friends and family. You want an agent who listens well and is willing to focus on homes that fit your budget. Your agent should also keep in mind the features you’re most interested in and forego homes that don’t have those. Many new home builders have real estate agents that specialize in their neighborhoods. This is a bonus if you’re partial to a particular builder or type of neighborhood.

Start looking at new construction homes in Colorado

Before you dive into your search, take a few minutes to make a list of the features and attributes of a house that are most important to you. This list should include everything from the number of bedrooms and type of floorplan to the yard layout and garage features. You’ll also want to consider the proximity to places you frequent the most: daycare, work, schools, churches, grocery stores, etc.

List in hand, make appointments with your agent to visit new construction communities that appeal to you or that you’ve heard good things about. Research local builders to find those with the best reputations. Check for referrals online or talk to friends and neighbors. You’re planning on making one of your most significant investments. The last thing you want is to start the build process and then find out the builder can’t complete it.

Choose the lot and the floorplan

The choice of lot and floorplan play a role in the price of your new home. Some lots are bigger than others or have a better view. Some lots are nearer the pool than others. Talk with the builder’s representative to determine which lots are within your budget and suit your needs best.

The same applies to floorplans. Some are more spread out than others and have more bedrooms. Some include more windows or a different front entry. You may be able to make minor changes to the floor plan, but that varies by builder. It never hurts to ask!

Include quick-move-in homes in your search

Many builders carry an inventory of quick-move-in homes — homes that are nearly complete and don’t yet have a buyer. These often appeal to first-time purchasers because the move-in timeline is much shorter than when building a house from the ground up. Quick-move-in homes are the same quality as custom-built homes in the community, but because they’re already built, buyers have the opportunity to walk through them before making the final purchase decision.

Personalize finishes

One thing that’s so appealing about new homes in Colorado is that you get to choose the finishings that fit your tastes. The choices can be overwhelming, but many new home builders — like Oakwood Homes — have design experts on staff to help you through this process. From paint colors to cabinets and light fixtures, you’ll enjoy personalizing the space to feel like home.

Be patient

If you’ve chosen to build your home from scratch, be patient. It takes time to build a quality home like those from Oakwood Homes. We take pride in our work and strive to ensure every home we build meets our buyers’ expectations. Of course, if you’ve chosen a quick-move-in home, your wait is considerably shorter.

Check Out Oakwood Homes Neighborhoods First

If new construction appeals to you, start with Oakwood Homes communities. Every home we build undergoes rigorous inspection to ensure all is right before the sale closes. If you’re not happy, we’re not either.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment to visit one of our Colorado communities. We look forward to making your home buying experience as unique as the home itself!