New Construction Timelines vs. Your Report Date

New construction is what our team knows best, and it's a popular choice for people moving here for Redstone. The hard part for relocating buyers usually isn't picking a floor plan. It's lining up a build schedule with a report date that the Army, the FBI or an employer set for you.

This post is only about timing.

Start with the date you can't move

Work backward from your report date, or from the end of your lease or temporary lodging. Then ask how much flexibility you really have. A few weeks of temporary lodging can turn a "no" into a "yes" on a home that's almost finished.

If you're military, Military OneSource lists IHG Army Hotels Candlewood Suites on Redstone at 3440 Aerobee Road (256-924-7707), with priority for PCS and TDY travel. Call for availability. Our PCS to Redstone Arsenal guide covers temporary lodging and the Housing Services Office.

Three ways to buy new, sorted by timing

Finished or nearly finished homes. If your report date is close, this is usually the realistic choice. The home is built or close to it, so the closing date is easier to pin down. Ask the builder what's complete or close to complete in the communities you like.

Homes already under construction. A home that's well along can sometimes still take some of your finish selections, and the wait is shorter than starting from a bare lot. Ask exactly which choices are still open and how they affect the date.

Building from the ground up. This gives you the most say and takes the longest. It fits buyers whose report date is well out, or buyers who rent first. Some people moving with Space Command or the FBI have arrival windows a year or more away, which can make this practical.

We don't quote a standard build time, because it depends on the builder, the plan, the lot, permits and weather. Ask the builder for its current estimate in writing.

Questions that protect your timeline

• What's the estimated completion date, and how will I hear about changes? Get the estimate in the contract.
• What happens if the date moves? Ask what the contract says about delays, and read it with your agent.
• How long can I lock my rate? Ask your lender about rate lock periods and what it costs to extend one if the build runs long.
• Can my lender and closing attorney close quickly once the home is done? Line them up early.
• What do the covenants and HOA rules allow on this lot?

Building from out of town

You don't have to live here to build here, but someone should keep an eye on the process. When we represent you, we can visit the site, send photos and video, and be there for the walk-through. Many buyers also hire their own inspector for a pre-drywall and a final inspection, and those can be scheduled without you in town.

When renting first makes more sense

If your report date is soon and nothing finished fits, renting for a year can let you build the home you want instead of settling. Redstone's Housing Services Office (256-876-6666) helps service members with off-post rentals. Read rent first or buy right away for how to weigh it.

Quick answers

Can I start a build before my orders are final? You can, but think hard about it. If your orders change, you'll be bound by whatever the contract says. Talk with your lender and read the contract with your agent first.

Is a finished home always faster? Usually, but not always. Appraisal, financing and closing still take time, so ask your lender how long they need.

Where to look

Our New Construction Near Redstone Arsenal page covers communities and gates. Community pages include Brier Fork Crossing, Mullins Bend and Sydney School Estates, and you can see who we work with on Our Builders. For the bigger relocation picture, start with Moving to Huntsville for Redstone Arsenal. Moving with the FBI or Space Command? See this page.

Send us your report date and what you're hoping to build or buy, and we'll tell you what fits the timeline. Get the Huntsville relocation guide or call The Nicolaou Group at Capstone Realty at 256.993.5800.

Sources

• Military OneSource, Redstone Arsenal Temporary Housing (Candlewood Suites address, phone, priority): https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/redstone-arsenal/housing/temporary-housing
• Redstone Arsenal, For Newcomers (HSO at One Stop, Building 3494): https://home.army.mil/redstone/my-fort/newcomers. Military OneSource, Redstone Arsenal Housing (HSO phone and services): https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/redstone-arsenal/housing/housing