Couple receiving keys across a table

7 Simple Steps in the Home Buying Process

Buying a home is a big deal! If you’ve been scrolling listings long enough, you’ve probably realized there are two very different paths to purchasing a home: resale or new construction. The good news is that the new construction home buying process is usually more structured than people expect. That’s because there’s a clear sequence from “first visit” to “front door” and you’re not guessing what happens next. Here are some benefits to the new construction home-buying process:

Couple make their dreams of building their own home come true visiting house under construction

Why Buying New Can Be the Easier Choice

Here’s the part that doesn’t get said enough: buying new isn’t only about new finishes. It’s about starting with a home designed for how people live today with features like open layouts, flexible spaces, smart storage, and modern finishes. With a new construction home, you won’t be inheriting someone else’s outdated systems or surprise repairs. Challenger Homes builds with high-performance materials that support cleaner air and energy efficiency (think advanced insulation, low-VOC finishes, and efficient HVAC). And, every home comes with a comprehensive builder-backed warranty for extra peace of mind after move-in. Challenger Homes offers a free digital “Why Buy New” guide to walk you through the benefits of a new construction home over a re-sale home.

House Construction Plans and New Home Under Construction

A Timeline for the New Construction Home-buying Process

1) Explore communities and floorplans

Start by touring models, comparing layouts, and narrowing in on what fits your lifestyle, whether that’s a home office, a larger garage, or space to spread out. One of the biggest perks of new construction is choice: you’re not just buying a house, you’re choosing a plan and a community that matches how you want to live.

2) Sign the purchase agreement

With new construction, signing earlier does more than reserve a home. It secures your price and locks in your homesite of choice. It also allows you to take advantage of special incentives, promotions and price reductions that are being offered at the time.

3) Secure financing

Challenger Homes partners with PenTrust Mortgage to help buyers navigate new-home financing. Getting pre-approved early can help you move faster once you’ve found the right fit. The are many options available to finance a new home purchase including traditional fixed-rate mortgage, adjustable rate mortgages, VA loans, and more.

4) Get construction updates

This is where new construction can feel surprisingly reassuring. Instead of wondering what’s happening behind the scenes, you’ll get regular updates as your home comes together — so the process feels transparent, not mysterious. Challenger Homes has dedicated sales staff to walk you through all the important milestones of a new home purchase.

5) Personalize your home with hand picked finish packages

You don’t need to be an interior designer to make a home feel like yours. Challenger Homes offers professionally curated finish packages (cohesive combinations of colors, materials, and finishes) that simplify decisions and help you get a polished look without spiraling into a million tiny choices. If your timeline is tight, a quick move-in home can give you the benefits of new with a shorter wait.

6) Final walkthrough

Before closing, you’ll walk the home with the team to go over warranties and get all your questions answered.

7) Closing day and move-in

Then comes the best part: stepping into a new home with modern comfort, quality, and peace of mind.

 

Challenger Homes charleston model home kitchen and dining interior

 

Ready to Get Started on Your New Construction Home Buying Process?

The best part of buying new is knowing what to expect — both in the process and in the home you’re moving into. If you’re ready to explore our Colorado Springs floorplans and communities (and see what new could look like for your next chapter) Challenger Homes is here to help you take the next step. Contact us today to learn more.

← Back to News & Resources

How we estimate your payment

Principal & interest + estimated property taxes + homeowners insurance + applicable HOA/metro charges.

Our advertised estimated lowest payments use a 30-year VA loan example for an eligible buyer with full entitlement and 0% down. The featured payment option is 3-2-1 Buydown. Advertised amounts are year-one estimates; payments increase in years 2, 3 and 4. The note rate is fixed at 6.5%. Home price, estimated taxes, and HOA/metro charges vary by property and community. Open the asterisk beside a payment for that home’s figures and assumptions.

More about the calculation

Principal and interest are calculated from the modeled loan amount, selected payment rate, and loan term. The model uses 8.661% combined 3-2-1 buydown cost and an assumed 2.15% VA funding fee financed into the loan. It includes a $8,000.00 closing-cost allowance, modeled through a higher contract price and seller credit. Points and any temporary buydown funding are modeled through a higher contract price and seller credits, subject to lender approval and appraisal support.

Property taxes use the community mill levy and an approximate assessed-value calculation; they are estimates, not an actual tax bill. Homeowners insurance is estimated at $180.00 per month. Applicable community HOA/metro charges are included. Upfront tax and insurance escrow deposits are excluded. A zero down payment does not guarantee zero cash due at closing.

3-2-1 Buydown payment assumption notes

The advertised amount is the Year 1 estimated payment. A builder-funded 3-2-1 buydown reduces the buyer's principal and interest payments during the first three years; the underlying note rate remains fixed. Payments are based on a rate 3 percentage points below the note rate in Year 1, 2 points below in Year 2, and 1 point below in Year 3. Full note-rate payments begin in Year 4. Taxes, insurance and HOA/metro charges are estimates and may change. Interest rate is not APR. Financing costs are modeled through a higher contract price and seller credits, subject to lender approval and appraisal support. Contact the lender for a complete Loan Estimate.

Promotion terms & lender information