Once you find the home of your dreams and you're ready to go under contract, what does that mean and what do you need to prepare? We need to know the floorplan, elevation, homesite and all of your structural options. Depending on the rules of the community and which plans fit on which lots, the floorplan and elevation you choose may dictate which homesites are available to you. If the homesite is most important, start with which floorplans are available to build on that homesite. Structural options must be chosen at time of contract because they dictate how we order the plans for your new home. Read the last sentence one more time because it makes everyone sad when the home gets framed and you really wish you sprang for the media room. Structural options get locked in and once that window closes, it doesn't reopen. At time of the contract, you will also need to pay us a deposit on the initial purchase price of your new home. This deposit is credited to you at closing.

Does the idea of picking every feature and finish in your new home fill you with joy or dread? It's ok, we acknowledge all the feelings! Your new home purchase includes two appointments at Southwestern Design Studio, each lasting about two hours. Studio hours are during the day so they require time off work – we won't tell if you call in 'sick'. After you complete your selections, you will make it official by signing off! This is a huge milestone! We can't start your new home until you complete this step. This is how you do your part to help us build your home as efficiently and quickly as possible. Give yourself a pat on the back. You may not have your own show on HGTV, but rest assured, we won't let anyone build an ugly house.

Construction officially kicks off with your Pre-Construction meeting (cool kids call it Pre-Con), We try to schedule this meeting right before we expect to receive your permit. At this meeting, your construction and sales managers will review your completed plans and selection sheets to triple check we're building the home you've chosen with the selections you've chosen. You'll also review how your new home will be placed on your homesite. At Pre-Drywall, you'll focus on what's behind the walls, specifically: electrical, plumbing, audio/visual prewiring. We want to make sure what you've chosen in your selection sheet has shown up in your home. It's hard to get that stuff in the walls after they go up. The finish line is in sight by your New Home Orientation. This is a meeting to understand how to operate and maintain your new home. This is also a meeting to address any cosmetic concerns, including paint touch-ups.

At 45 days and 11 months after you close, we come back on a few key items as well as address any questions you have about how to operate and maintain your new home. This is a big transition point for you and us - from homebuilder to homeowner. We do our best to be a trusted partner and advisor as we determine what's expected, what's not and what's a problem we need to address together. We never forget to bring our good attitude and we hope you do the same!

Does the idea of picking every feature and finish in your new home fill you with joy or dread? It's ok, we acknowledge all the feelings! Your new home purchase includes two appointments at Southwestern Design Studio, each lasting about two hours. Studio hours are during the day so they require time off work – we won't tell if you call in 'sick'. After you complete your selections, you will make it official by signing off! This is a huge milestone! We can't start your new home until you complete this step. This is how you do your part to help us build your home as efficiently and quickly as possible. Give yourself a pat on the back. You may not have your own show on HGTV, but rest assured, we won't let anyone build an ugly house.