Your 12-Step Guide to Buying a New Home in Coastal Georgia
If you're exploring the option of buying a new construction home in Savannah, GA or its surrounding areas, you may have questions about how the process works. While purchasing a new home requires a few additional steps compared to buying a resale, the benefits are worth it — from choosing your floor plan and homesite to selecting finishes that reflect your personal style.
Here’s an updated, step-by-step guide to how Ernest Homes’ buying process works in 2025:
1. Obtain Mortgage Pre-Approval
Getting pre-approved for a construction loan is your first major step. You'll meet with one of our preferred lenders to explore loan options and determine what works best for your financial goals. Working with Ernest Homes’ preferred lenders offers advantages, including:
- Shorter closing timelines (often leading to faster move-in)
- Expertise in new construction financing
- Competitive closing costs
Your lender will review your financial history, credit, and income to determine your approved loan amount — helpful information as you begin choosing your home’s size, layout, and features.
2. Choose Your Homesite & Floor Plan
Your New Home Specialist will guide you through selecting the perfect floor plan based on your lifestyle, future needs, and design preferences. Here are helpful questions to ask yourself:
- Will your family grow in the next few years?
- Do you prefer a single-level home or multilevel living?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
- Where should the bedrooms be located for convenience and privacy?
- Do you need space for a home office?
- Do you enjoy hosting guests and entertaining?
Next, you’ll choose the right community and available homesite. Each phase of a neighborhood offers unique lot characteristics — consider whether you prefer:
- A flat, grassy backyard for kids or pets
- Mature trees for shade or privacy
- A scenic view from your main living areas
- A low-maintenance yard
- A corner or cul-de-sac lot
Reserving your preferred lot early ensures you get the location you love.
3. Sign the Purchase Agreement
Once your floor plan and homesite are selected, you’ll sign a purchase agreement outlining your home’s pricing, included features, timeline, and next steps. This contract also provides important contacts and ensures your home begins the permitting and construction pipeline.
4. Secure Financing
With your contract in place, you’ll finalize loan details with your lender based on your approved financing structure.
5. Design Studio Selections
Now for the fun part — selecting finishes! In the Ernest Homes Design Studio, you'll work with a professional designer to choose cabinetry, flooring, lighting, paint colors, exterior options, landscaping, and more.
Bring your favorite inspiration photos or saved ideas. A clear vision helps your designer guide you toward coordinated, beautiful choices.
6. Plans, Engineering, Permitting & Estimating
Behind the scenes, our team finalizes engineering plans, submits permits, and reviews materials that match your design selections and budget. You’ll receive a final plan package so you can visualize every detail of your future home.
7. Pre-Construction Meeting
Before breaking ground, you’ll meet with your project manager and designer to review your home plan, selections, and lot placement. This ensures accuracy and alignment before construction begins.
8. Construction Begins
Once the foundation is poured, your new home comes to life! Your project manager will provide regular updates through email, calls, or optional walk-throughs. Build times vary based on home size and customization — but the wait is always worth it.
9. Quality Control
Throughout construction and before orientation, Ernest Homes performs multiple quality checks and inspections to ensure your home meets our high standards.
10. New Home Orientation
Your project manager and warranty team will walk you through your completed home, explaining systems, warranties, and maintenance essentials.
11. Closing Day
Once the builder receives all final approvals, you’ll close on your new home, receive your keys, and officially take ownership!
12. Welcome Home!
Celebrate, unpack, relax, and enjoy every minute of your brand-new Ernest home. You’ve earned it.
Have questions about the home buying process or want to tour a model home? Contact us — we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.
