New Construction

In many areas of Colorado Springs, it’s not uncommon to see new neighborhoods being developed with homes that are under construction. Compared to the Denver and Boulder real estate markets, the cost of living in Colorado Springs is considerably less, and with so many people moving into the area, the housing market is experiencing high demand with an extreme shortage of inventory. 

As the need for new homes in Colorado Springs continues to rise, home builders and land developers are working hard to keep up. 

With prices of building materials and land development costs also continuing to increase, filling the inventory gap in Colorado Springs for homes under $500,000 remains to be a major challenge.

The New Home Construction Process

If you choose to build a new home, you will want to involve yourself with the process as much as possible to gain the most benefits. After all, why build a new home if you let someone else pick out the paint colors, flooring, kitchen cabinets, light fixtures and appliances? If you decide to buy a new home in Colorado Springs, your building project will advance in several stages with a few important checkpoints along the way. Most home builders will meet with you and your REALTOR® several times during the building process with a construction timeline similar to this:

Pre-Construction Meet-Up

Your builder will meet with you to review the final construction plans, approve any upgrades, and confirm all of your selections before any kind of construction or excavation takes place.

Pre-Drywall

 After the majority of the framing is completed, your builder will schedule a walkthrough with you during the HVAC, plumbing and electrical rough-in phase before installing the drywall. This walkthrough is important if you are building a custom or semi-custom home as it will be the last opportunity for you to make any minor changes to the framing.

Pre-Closing Walkthrough 

As your new home construction nears completion, you’ll have a chance to conduct a pre-closing walkthrough of the home. This walkthrough is arranged to insure that all specifications are complete and that the standards of construction are acceptable. This is also referred to this as the builder “punch-list” walkthrough, where you can carefully inspect the house and flag any imperfections with blue painters tape.

Closing Day 

The big day is here at last! This final walkthrough doubles as a homeowner tutorial, ensuring that you know how everything works and that you understand the warranty process. Then, it’s off to the closing table to sign the paperwork and pick up your keys!

Choosing A New Home Builder 

Here in Colorado Springs, there are basically three kinds of home builders to choose from. Custom builders, semi-custom builders and production builders.

Custom Home Builders

Custom homes are typically the most expensive to build but also grant you the most design freedom. When designing a new custom floorplan, architects and structural engineers will also be involved so you’ll need to budget your project accordingly. Depending on the level of detail that your project requires, creating a new set of house plans with structural engineering can easily cost $10,000 (or significantly more). It’s not uncommon for a fully custom home project to take between 12-18 months to complete due to the extra time required for the design and plan approval process.

Semi-Custom Home Builders

A semi-custom home is a great choice if you want your home to feel unique but don’t want to spend the time or money designing a new set of plans. Most semi-custom builders will have several variations of the same “master” floorplan to choose from. For instance, you might have the option to move a wall, alter the exterior appearance or substitute a bedroom for a bigger walk-in closet, etc. Many of these minor changes don’t require any additional engineering and can be done in the field. This can help keep the front end costs down considerably. The timeframe to build a semi-custom home is between 6-8 months on average.

Production Builders

Production builders construct their new homes on a large scale. They are able to keep prices affordable by buying lumber and building materials in high volume and employing their own tradesman versus hiring independent subcontractors. Some of the larger production builders will also develop their own land, eliminating the need for a middle-man land developer which can help reduce costs even more. A production home is the most affordable way to buy a new home in Colorado Springs but you will only have a few basic options to choose from regarding the exterior color scheme and interior selections. Productions homes are usually fully completed within 4-6 months.

Architectural Styles

In the Colorado Springs new home market, there are a wide variety of architectural styles to choose from, but one of the more popular house designs that is making a comeback is the contemporary concept. Contemporary homes will offer an open, spacious environment to home buyers with amenities that generally include the following features:

• Tall ceilings with distinctive roof lines
• Single level homes or two-stories with lofts 
• Open floor plans utilizing outdoor living spaces
• Modern light fixtures, cabinet and door hardware
• Oversized, textured wood and glass ceramic tiles
• Large windows maximizing natural light
• Gray and earth toned color palettes
• Eco-friendly materials such as bamboo flooring and synthetic countertops
• High efficiency heating systems and energy saving appliances

New Homes vs Resale

There are many pro’s and con’s to consider when comparing new homes to resale. One of the biggest benefits when buying a new home is getting a builder warranty. Most builders offer a one year bumper to bumper warranty along with a longer term structural warranty.

The two other major considerations (and common oversights) between a new home versus a resale property are the window treatments and landscaping. Most builders will omit these costly upgrades in the base pricing of their homes but a resale property will already have these upgrades completed.

The Best Deals For New Homes

Although it might be a little tough to find the deal of a lifetime in the current Colorado Springs housing market, new home builders still discount their inventory from time to time. One of the best ways to find a good deal on a new home is to track the days on the market after the home has been completed. If a new home sits for more than 30-60 days, builders will typically drop the price or offer more incentives to get them off their books. Another thing to look for is a newer subdivision that is nearing its completion. Quite often, these remaining lots are a little less desirable and will be offered at a discount price. 

Buying a home without the help of a REALTOR® probably won’t save you any money. In fact, it can cost you money if you don’t know how to negotiate with the builder’s sales representative! The big reason why most builders won’t discount a home just because you don’t have an agent is because they still need to rely on a strong sales price to support future appraisals. High valued appraisals are extremely important for maximizing a builder’s full borrowing power with their bank. The additional leverage allows them to cover their overhead, make payroll and keep the new inventory coming. So, be sure you bring along your favorite broker when you are shopping for a new home!

Many Options For New Homes

At the end of the day, it’s great to know that you have several options when it comes to purchasing a newly constructed home. Whether you are looking for a certain location, a specific architectural style or just want something brand new and affordable, you’re sure to find it here in Colorado Springs!