Step 1: Get Pre-Approved
The only way to truly know how much home you can afford is to ask a lender. Getting pre-approved lets you know how much you can afford before shopping for your home. The pre-approval commitment is usually valid for up to 90 days.
Why get pre approved?
- Determine affordability: It shows how much you are eligible to borrow, which helps you determine how much house you can afford.
- Gain negotiating power: It shows sellers that you are a credible buyer, which helps you stand out in a competitive market. Smithbilt requires a pre-approval letter when submitting an offer.
- Move fast: It gets you closer to locking a loan in a shorter amount of time.
- Avoid surprises: It gives you visibility into your credit worthiness in the eyes of a lender. If necessary, you can work with your lender to improve your qualifications as a borrower.
Approval Dos and Dont’s • Loan Check List • Payment Calculator
Step 2: Talk to a Smithbilt agent
Talk to one of our knowledgeable Realtors about buying a Smithbilt home. Our team members know our floor plans, locations, and pricing better than anyone. They can inform you of special pricing, new floor plans, what you need to know about the community, and much more. Our sales team is your direct communication with Smithbilt Homes and is the key to a smooth buying process.
Not only are Smithbilt Realtors experts on new construction, they are experts on EVERYTHING REAL ESTATE and can sell your existing home. Whether you are buying a Smithbilt Home or buying an existing home, any of the Smithbilt agents can help your next home.
Step 3: Start Looking!
Online: You can find all of our floor plans, communities and other information on our website
Open House: We have open house every Saturday & Sunday from 2-5pm so you can stop by and check out our model homes, community amenities, move in ready selections and more!
Schedule a private showing with a Smithbilt Realtor: Call, text, or email any of our agents to set up a private showing on a specific house or to view a community.
Step 4: Sign the Paperwork!
Meet with a licensed realtor or one of our Smithbilt Realtors and complete a contract!
What to bring:
Your pre-approval letter. Smithbilt will not accept any offers that do not include a pre-approval letter.
An earnest money check: This earnest-money deposit is a fraction of your down payment, which indicates the buyer’s intent and willingness to execute the agreements, laid out in the contract with the seller. The buyer usually pays it in the form of a personal or certified check issued to the real estate brokerage of choice. The deposit will be held in an escrow account, a type of trust fund controlled by both the seller and the buyer, until you successfully complete the closing. It’s important to know that this earnest-money deposit is not an extra cost of buying a home. It will be credited towards the down payment at closing, and in case it exceeds your mortgage down payment, you will receive the balance at closing.
Any final questions you have or specifications that need to be included in your contract.
Step 5: Meet with our design team
The Smithbilt Homes Design Center is where your floor plan is transformed into your dream home. Every buyer receives a complimentary appointment with a professional designer who assists them in deciding on the many options and selections available. Buyers make the decisions on the finishing touches that tailor their home to fit their taste and lifestyle. From countertops to cabinets, flooring to fixtures, Smithbilt Homes offers dozens of choices with the styles, brands and quality Smithbilt homeowners deserve.
Step 6: The Construction Process
Watch your home come to life! From the foundation, to the roof, to the cabinets and paint, all Smithbilt buyers witness each step of the building process. Smithbilt Homes plans, schedules and executes every aspect of the building process assuring quality work goes into each and every Smithbilt Home.
Step 7: Walk Thru
As soon as your new home is near completion and ready to close, we will schedule a preliminary and final walk thru for buyers to inspect surfaces such as floors, walls, window glass, mirrors, appliances, countertops, etc. to ensure there are no chips, scratches or other noticeable damage. It’s wise to go into this inspection with an eagle eye, because such cosmetic items will not be covered by your warranty after the orientation. Remember that any items that need attention must be noted in writing on a checklist, or punch list.
Pre-Closing Walk Thru Checklist
Step 8: Get Homeowners Insurance
It’s your responsibility to obtain homeowner’s insurance. Lenders always require the buyer to have proof of homeowner’s insurance secured before they approve your loan. Insurance policies vary widely, so shop around.
• Contact Mansour
Step 9: Close on your home!
Once your application for a mortgage loan has been approved and you have received a commitment letter from the lender, the final step before you can call the house your own is the closing, or settlement, of the purchase transaction and mortgage loan. At closing, you will sign the mortgage loan documents, the seller will execute the deed to the property, funds will be collected and disbursed, and the closing agent will record the necessary instruments to give you legal ownership of the property.
Step 10: Transfer utilities to your name
All of the utility districts are listed on our website under the community’s page. You have 3 days from closing to transfer these into your name.
