When you look at new construction homes in active adult communities, you might see “quick move-in” options. But what are they? Building a brand new home comes with more modern layouts and warranty, but if rising interest rates or other life needs put stress on your timeline, take heart knowing that owning a new construction home doesn't have to be an extended wait thanks to quick move-ins.

What is a Quick Move-In Home?

Quick move-in homes are new construction homes often available within the next 30-60 days and are an ideal solution if you need to be settled soon. These properties are designed by builders who want you in their community ASAP, or oftentimes they were part of contracts that didn't pan out.

Quick Move-In Homes vs To-Be-Built Homes

So, what's the difference between a quick move-in home and one that needs to be built? Let’s explore the similarities and differences between these two options so you can make an informed decision on which is right for you.

Similarities Between Quick Move-In Homes & To-Be-Built Homes

Whether you opt for quick move-in homes or to-be-built, rest assured that both types of new construction homes feature high-quality materials and appliances to make your home a haven. Get extra reassurance with limited structural warranties that come standard on both homes–it'll give you total peace of mind. For personalized living with all the modern conveniences, both are designed with a breathtaking active adult floor plan so you won’t have to compromise on comfort or style.

Differences Between Quick Move-In Homes & To-Be-Built Homes

Personalization

While quick move-in homes provide the perfect combination of convenience and modern styling with some of the most sought-after finishes, they have minimal to no optionality. They won’t be as customizable as to-be-built homes. With minimal customization needed, you can enjoy high-end finishes and up-to-date touches without all the hassle.

Savings

You can often score an awesome deal on your dream abode with quick move-in homes; builders are often eager to get these off their hands and you might be able to scoop up some extra savings.

Speed

To-be-built homes, of course, are yet to be built, which means a longer timeline. With a quick move-in, you'll be in the door and taking advantage of all that fabulous life as 55+ has to offer in an expedited timeline.

Quick Move-In Home Timelines

Let's talk timelines. A quick move-in home is one that can be ready to call your own in just a few short weeks, while the timeline for building an entirely new house could take months, even a year, or more. If you're looking to make a quick move-in purchase and finance it, let’s break down the process. It typically looks like this:

Step 1: Select a Home

Step one is selecting the perfect place that makes you feel at home.

Step 2: Start the Mortgage Process 

Now that you've found your perfect home, the next step is to make a commitment and get started with the mortgage process, which could take anywhere from one day to a week if you already have an ideal provider in mind.

Step 3: Get Conditional Loan Approval

On your journey to becoming a homeowner, you may reach the exciting stage of conditional approval after submitting for a mortgage. Though it can take up to 14 days to get there depending on documentation speed and review times, soon enough you'll be that much closer to finalizing this milestone.

Step 4: Get Final Loan Approval 

With your last documents in hand, you can officially begin the review process for final approval. This should take just 1-3 business days with everything running smoothly.

Step 5: Lock Rate

Now that you've been given the green light, your lender will “lock in” your loan rate and run some extra checks. This shouldn't take long and shouldn't affect any of your plans–just one more quick step to secure this piece of the puzzle.

Step 6: Pre-Closing Orientation

Now that the loan is all sorted, let's jump into the exciting part–your new home! You’ll be taking a walkthrough with a fabulous construction manager to make sure everything looks great and you understand how everything works. This orientation usually follows right after the final approval of your loan, so get ready for some serious housewarming fun.

Step 7: Sign Documents

All you need to do is sign the dotted line… Many times.

Step 8: Close Home & Get Keys

And now it's time to unlock the door to the home of your dreams. Get ready for some fresh beginnings from this fantastic quick move-in experience.

Buying a quick move-in home can be the perfect way to find your dream abode in no time. From start to finish, you could settle into these types of homes within 30-60 days—which is much faster than if you built one from scratch. However, there are still financial processes and paperwork that need tending to before all keys are handed over so it’s important to pay attention during this exciting homeownership journey. If you're looking for your dream home and want to move in quickly, consider a quick move-in. You can find that perfect new construction without waiting any longer than you have to.

At Del Webb, we offer plenty of options in our active adult communities across the country–so if your goal is to get settled quickly, finding yourself among friends and neighbors could be as easy as making one decision. Browse Del Webb’s quick move-in homes for sale today to find your expedited adventure in one of our 55+ communities.

Looking for more articles about active adult communities, design trends, and local new construction spots? Browse Del Webb’s blog.