Buying a New Construction Home in Georgetown: What to Know Before You Visit a Builder

A model home makes it easy to picture yourself moving in. The kitchen is beautiful, the furniture fits perfectly, and suddenly you are choosing where the Christmas tree will go.

Before you start picking finishes, though, you need to understand what you are actually buying. When I help you compare new construction in Georgetown, I want you to look at the finished price, the monthly costs, and the terms that come with the home.

Talk about representation before your first visit

If you want your own agent involved, contact them before visiting a sales office or registering online. Ask about the builder's registration policy and how your agent should be identified. Policies vary, so it is worth getting this straight at the beginning.

The builder's sales team is there to sell the builder's homes. Having your own representation gives you someone focused on your questions and priorities. Review your representation agreement, including services and compensation, before moving forward. Do not assume a builder will cover every cost associated with your agent.

Ask what is included in the home you toured

The model and the advertised starting price may describe very different homes. Ask for the specifications of the exact home or floor plan you are considering.

Find out whether the price includes the lot, flooring, countertops, cabinets, appliances, and outdoor features you want. For a home that has not been built, ask about lot premiums and design selections. For a completed home, confirm which features are already included and which items remain your responsibility after closing.

You should leave with a written price breakdown, not a guess based on how the model looks.

Compare the community as carefully as the floor plan

Wolf Ranch is one Georgetown community to include in a new construction search, with new homes and community amenities. It is also a good example of why buyers should compare the specific home and community together.

Ask about HOA dues, restrictions, existing amenities, and anything still planned. Confirm the property's taxes and whether special district taxes or assessments apply. Have your lender estimate taxes for the completed home rather than relying on an earlier bill that may reflect an unfinished property.

Drive the route to work at the time you normally travel. Verify school assignments directly with the district for the exact address. A Georgetown mailing address alone will not answer either question.

Understand the builder offer and construction timeline

A closing cost credit or financing offer can be helpful, but ask what conditions apply. You may need to use a particular lender, select an eligible home, or close within a specific window.

Ask the lender to explain the payment after any temporary buydown ends. Compare loan terms and fees as well as the advertised rate. You need a home that works for your budget after the promotion has run its course.

For a home under construction, discuss estimated completion, possible delays, and what the contract says about them. If you need to sell a home or end a lease, build your moving plan around those uncertainties.

Arrange inspections and review the warranty

I recommend discussing an independent inspection before closing, even when the home is new. For an earlier construction stage, ask whether phase inspections are available and what access the builder permits.

Review the warranty documents, the process for reporting concerns, and any deadlines. Put walkthrough items and agreed corrections in writing through the appropriate process.

Let us compare your Georgetown options

If you are considering a new construction home in Georgetown, contact me before your first builder visit. Tell me your budget, move date, and what you need in a home. I can help you narrow the communities, compare available homes, and ask the questions that matter before you commit.