Getting Started

Pre-Qualify Today

This is probably the most important first step you can take. By pre-qualifying for a loan, you’ll understand just how much home you can afford. This allows you to focus on homes that are within your budget. With our simple online pre-qualification form, Ryland makes it easy to begin the process.

Make Your Wish List

Create a list of your needs and use it as a guide to selecting the right home. To start, some items to consider are:

• Current and future needs of your family
• Square footage and number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Storage and cabinet space
• Entertainment space (patio, great room, kitchen)
• Neighborhood amenities
• Proximity to quality schools, transportation, work, shopping and recreation

Explore the Neighborhood

By spending time in the areas where you would most like to live, you will get a strong sense of their character. Walk through the neighborhood, visit the local stores, observe the traffic and explore the local parks and recreation facilities. It’s also a good idea to visit on different days and at different times of day.

Choose Your Builder

It's a good idea to research builders to find the best match for you. Some things to consider include:

• Reputation and Experience - How long has it been in business?
• Employees - Meet the sales counselor and the building supervisor. You'll be working closely with these people while your home is being built, so it's important that you have a good relationship.
• Warranty - What type of warranty does the builder offer? What does it cover and for how long?
• Established Communities - Tour existing neighborhoods that your builder has developed. This will give you an idea of what your community will look like in the future.
• Current Home Owners - Talk to current home owners to get their perspective on the builder's quality and customer service.

Understand the Time Frame

Building a new home is a detailed process and often takes between 90 and 120 days. This time frame can vary greatly depending on the season and weather conditions. Understanding the time frame and being able to discuss it with your sales counselor will help you plan adequately for the day you move in to your new home.