The Complete Process of Building a Home: Step-by-Step

Building a new home is an exciting journey, one filled with anticipation, decisions—and, ultimately, the joy of homeownership. At Cristo Homes, we make the process of building a home as seamless and stress-free as possible, ensuring you enjoy the experience from start to finish.

Whether you're making the move from renting, purchasing your first home or looking for an affordable yet high-quality new construction home, this guide will walk you through the complete process of working with a builder like Cristo Homes.

Step 1: Determining Your Budget and Financing Options

Before diving into home selection, it's essential to establish a clear budget. Cristo Homes simplifies this step by connecting you with preferred lenders who can help you understand your mortgage options, including loan types, interest rates and down payment requirements.

Many of our buyers are pleasantly surprised to find that a brand-new Cristo home can be as affordable — if not more affordable — than purchasing an older resale home.

Key Considerations:

• Evaluate your financial situation: Review your income, savings, credit score and current expenses to determine how much you can afford.

• Get pre-approved for a mortgage: This gives you a clear picture of your purchasing power and can make your offer more attractive to the builder.

• Compare loan types: Understanding the difference between FHA, VA and conventional loans can help you make an informed decision.

• Work with Cristo Homes' preferred lenders: They offer competitive rates and a smoother financing process, helping you secure a loan that fits your needs.

• Understand monthly costs: Beyond your mortgage, factor in monthly costs like property taxes and homeowners insurance.

• Plan for upfront costs: Down payments, closing costs and moving expenses should be part of your budget planning.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Community

One of the most exciting aspects of building a new home is selecting the perfect community. Cristo Homes offers a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own unique amenities and features. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly area, proximity to work or excellent schools, we have a community to match your needs.

Key Considerations:

• Location: Consider the daily commute, accessibility to major highways and proximity to essential services like grocery stores, healthcare and entertainment.

• Lifestyle amenities: Do you want parks, walking trails or playgrounds nearby? Cristo Homes builds communities with lifestyle-enhancing features in mind.

• School districts: For families with children, researching local schools is a crucial factor in choosing a community.

• Future growth: Look into upcoming developments and infrastructure projects that may impact property values over time.

• Safety and crime rates: Checking local crime statistics can help ensure peace of mind when selecting your neighborhood.

• Homeowner association (HOA) rules: Some communities have guidelines regarding home exteriors, landscaping and community amenities.

Step 3: Selecting Your Home Design

Cristo Homes offers thoughtfully curated home designs to make your selection process easy. Rather than overwhelming you with endless choices, we provide expertly curated design packages that ensure quality, style and affordability.

Key Considerations:

• Determine your needs: How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you want an open floor plan or a more traditional layout?

• Explore design packages: Instead of customizing every detail, our curated design packages ensure a cohesive look while keeping costs predictable.

• Think about future resale value: Opt for timeless styles and layouts that will appeal to future buyers should you decide to sell.

• Consider Quick Move-In Homes: If you're on a timeline, choosing from our Quick Move-In Homes can get you settled faster while still enjoying a brand-new home.

• Energy efficiency and sustainability: Look into eco-friendly features such as energy-efficient appliances, insulation and smart home technology.

• Storage and space planning: Ensure you have sufficient closet space, garage capacity and functional layouts for everyday living.

Step 4: Signing the Purchase Agreement

Once you've chosen your community and home design, it's time to sign the purchase agreement. This document outlines the final price, included features and timeline for construction. Cristo Homes ensures transparency so you understand every detail before moving forward.

Key Considerations:

• Review the contract thoroughly: Understand what’s included in the base price and what might require an additional cost.

• Ask questions about construction timelines: When can you expect the home to be completed? Could there be potential delays due to weather or material shortages?

• Understand warranties and builder policies: Make sure you're aware of what is covered under the home warranty and any builder-specific policies on modifications.

Step 5: Pre-Construction Planning

Before construction begins, you'll have a meeting with our team to go over the final details of your home, including any additional selections and the construction timeline. Our streamlined approach ensures clarity and confidence as you move into the next phase.

Key Considerations:

• Finalize your home selections: Ensure all design, layout and structural choices are locked in before construction begins.

• Understand the timeline: Get a clear breakdown of the building phases and key milestones.

• Know what to expect: Cristo Homes will guide you through each phase so there are no surprises along the way.

• Obtain homeowners insurance: Many lenders require insurance before construction is complete.

Step 7: Pre-Closing Walkthrough and Final Inspection

Before closing, you'll have the opportunity to walk through your new home with a Cristo Homes representative. This final inspection allows you to review everything, ask questions and ensure that all aspects of your home meet your expectations.

Key Considerations:

• Inspect every detail: Check for cosmetic issues, paint touch-ups or hardware adjustments that may need attention.

• Test appliances and fixtures: Ensure plumbing, electrical outlets and appliances are functioning properly.

• Review home maintenance information: Learn how to take care of your new home to keep it in top condition.

Step 8: Closing on Your Home

You're almost at the finish line! Closing on your home is the final step before officially getting the keys, so it’s important to be prepared and organized.

Key Considerations:

• Review all closing documents: Double-check the loan agreement, title documents and any fees due at closing.

• Coordinate with your lender: Ensure all final payments and loan documents are in place.

• Prepare for move-in: Set up utilities, schedule movers and plan your transition into your brand-new home.