Buying a house for your family isn’t as simple as it looks. After all, it’s not about liking something, adding it to the cart, making the payment, and waiting for your order at home.
This process requires your involvement at every stage. And you need to be highly decisive and stay patient throughout the home-buying journey.
Whether you are finding an affordable housing option as a first-time buyer or a property to invest in, purchasing a property in Pueblo is more affordable than in Denver and Colorado Springs.
If you have never built a customized house, this guide is all you need. By the end of this article, you will know the predictable cost, modern features, and benefits of buying a new house in Pueblo City.
Why do First-Time Buyers Prefer Moving to Pueblo?
This city offers an incredibly affordable cost of living for first-time buyers compared to Front Range cities in Colorado. They can stretch their income and avoid bidding wars. They can also easily secure a larger lot size.
Here are some reasons that keep attracting new buyers to the region:
- Affordability: Buyers can buy a home in this city for approximately $245,000 to $500,000. This cost will stretch up to (approx.) $550,000 in Denver.
- Larger Lots: You can purchase more acreage in this region without compromising on proximity to essential city amenities.
- Weather: Residents enjoy sunshine for about 300 days every year. You may occasionally expect to shovel off the snow in winter because of the city’s high elevation of 4900 feet; snow accumulation barely lasts. The average snowfall in this region is about 25-30 inches per season.
How Long Does It Take To Build A New Construction Home?
Before you commit to the home-buying or building process, it is better to know the timeline for your home’s completion. In Pueblo, it generally takes 7 to 12 months for a house to be completed, from initial permits to move-in.
The whole new house-buying process is generally divided into three phases.
- Preconstruction & Permit Phase
You need to get the local building permits from the County of Pueblo Building Department to start your construction work. You need to secure the approvals before starting construction. It usually takes from 30 days to several months to complete the permit process.
Then, your home’s lot needs clearance before your builder’s shovel even digs into the ground. The clearance phase may need to clear vegetation, grade the land, cut down trees, lift rocks, or move other items from the soil to lay the foundation.
- Site Work & Building Foundation
After obtaining all necessary permits, your crew can now start clearing the lot and grading the land for concrete foundations. However, this phase highly depends on favorable weather and soil conditions.
Additionally, if your foundations or site prep interfaces with city properties, such as curbs, gutters, or sidewalks, you will need to obtain a separate concrete right-of-way permit.
Foundation Types
- Shallow foundations are usually used when the surface soil is sufficiently solid to support the house’s structure. Their depth is usually less than the width of the foundations. Engineered monolithic slabs are used in this kind of foundation.
- Deep foundations are used where the surface soil is weak. Therefore, your crew digs deeper into the earth to transfer the load to more stable, denser soil layers. Stem walls and helical piles are used to elevate the framing above soil moisture.
- Framing & Roofing
In this phase, the skeletal structure of your home is erected. This step is important for transferring the live load (wind and snow) forces safely to the house’s foundations. Your construction crew installs wall studs, roof trusses, and sheathing systems into your house for weatherproofing.
How Much Money Do I Need to Buy a House in Colorado?
People often search for this question online to get an estimated price for buying a home in Colorado. However, the answer isn’t always a single number.
Several factors influence the total price of a house. Still, for your convenience, the median price of a house in Colorado is generally between $543,270 and $563,000.
Calculate Your Budget
You need to be crystal clear about your overall finances before you even start planning your full-house construction budget. Because knowing what you can afford can help you make informed decisions throughout the process.
- Many financial experts recommend the 28/36 rule. It means your total monthly debt payments should generally stay below 36% of your gross monthly income. Similarly, your debt payment shouldn’t exceed 36%.
- You can calculate your affordability by taking your monthly income and multiplying it by 0.28 to get your maximum housing payment.
- Subtract all the taxes and insurance from the total amount, and the remaining amount will be your mortgage payment.
Loan Type
If you have enough savings to start constructing your residence, then you should consult a buyer’s agent. Ask them to get all necessary permits to start your work.
But if you have limited savings, mortgage pre-approval or government-backed loans can help you.
- Federal Housing Administration Loans
These loans have low down payments, up to 3.5% -10%, and you need a 500 credit score (eligibility varies as per lender). They will also require mortgage insurance.
- Veterans Affairs Loans
Only eligible veterans can apply for VA loans. They don’t need any down payment or private mortgage insurance. The credit score requirement and interest rate may vary depending on the lender. Additionally, one-time funding fees apply.
Market Condition
You should find a buyer’s agent with at least 2-3 years of experience in your area of interest to understand market conditions and local demand. An agent will help you understand local market conditions, negotiate offers, and review contracts, and also save you from making costly mistakes.
- A buyer’s agent can search for houses that match your budget and criteria.
- They can write and make offers with the seller’s agent on your behalf.
- Agents can negotiate on your terms with the seller’s agent.
- They can help you review all contracts and closing paperwork.
Closing Costs
Many new-construction homebuyers in Pueblo are often surprised by closing costs. In Colorado, closing fees are separate and may be 2-5% of the home’s base price.
It may include:
- Lender fees
- Appraisal expenses
- Prepaid property taxes
- Homeowner’s insurance, or more
Step-by-Step Procedure for a New Construction Home
First, you need to obtain pre-approval from the local authorities in the city after setting your budget. Then follow these steps to make your home-buying journey stress-free:
Step 1. Choose Location
Finding the right location and community to live in is the most important part of the home-buying process. Therefore, you should explore all the neighborhoods of Pueblo and analyze the area’s proximity to schools and essential everyday life amenities.
You should look at locations’ proximity to:
- Grocery stores
- Medical facilities (hospitals, clinics)
- Walking trails
- Fitness Centres
- Outdoor recreation facilities (parks, playgrounds)
Also keep the area’s future value in mind before deciding where you want to live.
Step 2. Decide Whether To Build or Buy a Pre-Built House
Buying a new construction home has two meanings. You can either buy a complete, ready-to-move-in new house, or you can design your own house on an empty lot.
You can choose any home from the following:
- A Tract Home is a house in a new development project and may be priced favorably.
- Spec Homes are also brand-new houses built by builders and ready to move in. If you don’t want to indulge in the lengthy process of building a home from scratch, a spec home is an ideal fit for you.
- Custom homes are newly built projects that you can customize at every step. These houses are generally more expensive because you tailor them to your family’s specific needs.
Step 3. Sign a Builder Contract
You should start researching local builders to find a property that complies with local building codes. Buyers should never hesitate to question their potential builder, as it’s important to verify they are getting value for their investment.
Ask your builder about their past record, and check their Google Business Profile reviews. You can also ask your builder to show their 4-5-year-old completed projects. Explore their pre-made houses and talk with homeowners. If you feel satisfied, sign your contract and get started with the paperwork.
Step 4. Choose Your Home Upgrades
If you are building your residence from scratch, now you need to choose all of your home upgrades and smart tech features. You can also ask your builder what upgrades he offers.
Choose the upgrades that facilitate your family, fall within your budget, and increase the resale value of your property. However, keep in mind that every upgrade may increase your budget.
Step 5. Home Inspection
Buyers should never assume that if they are buying a new house in Pueblo, it will be problem-free. Therefore, whether you are buying a spec home or customizing your house, you should run inspections at every stage of your new home construction process.
It is important that your home meets the local building codes of the region, whether it’s foundations, framing, or any other pivotal stage of the process. A proper independent home inspection helps you pinpoint issues and fix them before they get sealed behind walls.
Step 6. Sign Warranty Documents
Always remember that warranties are the most important part of the new house-buying process. You should know what warranties you are getting and the process to claim them. Pueblo Home Builders commonly give you two types of warranties.
- Implied warranties have a 10-year liability period and cover workmanship defects that affect the house’s safety and durability.
- Express warranties cover system and workmanship defects that the builder is responsible for fixing. These warranties may vary depending on the builder’s policy.
Top Benefits of Buying A Newly Built Home in Pueblo
Buying your own new house in this city offers these top benefits that range from long-term financial stability to energy efficiency.
- Make New Memories: Living in a new home in Pueblo’s enchanting environment gives you the chance to live in a place with no lingering memories of previous residents. You get to create lots of new memories in your new residence.
- Modern Floor Plans: You get access to modern floor plans designed to meet your family’s needs.
- Energy-Efficient Systems: Modern houses have built-in energy-efficient systems that can save you money on utility bills every month.
- New Appliances: You get all new appliances (in most cases), so you don’t need to worry about maintenance costs in the initial years.
- Warranties: Builder warranties give more peace of mind to residents.
- Tech Upgrades: You can enjoy new and smart technology in your new home.
- Amenities: Living in a vibrant community in this city not only gives you access to essential life amenities but also gives you the chance to see Colorado’s unique culture.
Legends At River’s Run: A Life Saver For First-Time Buyers in Pueblo
Pueblo is Colorado’s growing community, attracting first-time-buyer families, retirees, remote workers, and investors alike.
Despite inflation affecting the entire country, this area still offers an affordable cost of living to its residents. People are relocating to this city because they believe they can stretch their income further here.
Legends at River’s Run is one of the most trustworthy construction home builders working in this region. We know not everyone can afford to buy a home upfront, nor does everyone have bank accounts full of savings to start building a home from scratch.
Therefore, we offer you modern-spec single-family homes starting at approximately $309,900 and a townhome at approximately $249,900.
Our built homes have modern flooring options and all essential HOA facilities. Beyond that, our designed, manageable pricing structure has helped several families successfully relocate to Pueblo and own their house on their terms.
You can also read more related articles:
Why Are More Homebuyers Choosing Master-Planned Communities?
Pueblo vs Colorado Springs: Which City Fits Your Lifestyle?
FAQs
It depends on your overall budget, upgrades, market conditions, and area demand. If you are tight on a budget, you can buy a new single-family home in Pueblo from Legends at The River’s Run for approximately $309,900.
Yes, you can choose your own floor plan for your new house from the available options (Aspen, Willow, and Sunflower).
It depends on your situation. When you purchase a property on land that is owned by a contract builder, you don’t need to take out a construction loan.
You generally need a down payment between 3% and 20% of the property’s purchase price. However, a 20% deposit helps you avoid Private Mortgage Insurance and gets you the best interest rates. It also helps you avoid additional insurance fees and qualifies you for better loan terms.
Most newly built homes include a builder’s warranty, although the exact coverage varies by builder and warranty provider.
- You normally get a one-year warranty for all workmanship defects, like dry walls, paint trim, and doors.
- Two-year mechanical system warranty including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.
- And a ten-year warranty for structural defects (foundation cracks, roof framing failure, etc).