As Old Man Winter rears his head in Chicago once again, those in the market for a new-construction home may be inclined to put their search on ice as they ride out the next wave of the Polar Vortex. But according to several local builders, winter actually can be an ideal time to purchase a new-construction home, and even presents some advantages to buyers. Here’s why the cold months are a hot time for homebuyers:

Timing is Everything
While construction activity in new-home communities may indeed slow down during the winter due to weather conditions, builders noted the winter months are actually their preferred time to begin working with buyers. “Permitting and approvals typically take anywhere from 60 to 90 days,” said Steve Spinell, principal of Kinzie Builders, which is currently offering semi-custom estate homes at Lake Enclave of Heritage Estates, a community of 32 homes in Lake Barrington. “It makes sense to get through that municipal process now so we’ll be ready to roll and start construction as soon as the weather breaks in the spring.”

Located just north of Route 22 near Gray Barn and Enclave lanes, Enclave of Heritage Estates is a gated community, with homes starting at $689,900. For more information, visit www.enclaveliving.com.

Brian Brunhofer, president of Meritus Homes, added that since his firm builds semi-custom and custom homes, starting a relationship with a buyer during the winter also allows ample time for the design process. “Many of our buyers want to be able to move into their new home during the summer,” he said. “If a buyer begins work with us now, they won’t be rushed through design decisions. Factoring in the average five- to six-month construction time frame for a single-family home, they can still be in their new home before the start of the school year.”

Meritus Homes is currently building semi-custom homes at Greenbrook, the builder’s exclusive neighborhood of 22 single-family homes within the master-planned Highland Woods development on Elgin’s west side, and The Reserve of St. Charles, Meritus’ community of semi-custom and custom homes just three miles north of downtown St. Charles. Visit www.MeritusHomeBuilders.com for more information.

Jerry S. James, principal with Edward R. James Homes, points to other advantages for homebuyers purchasing new construction in the winter. “Builders expect a winter slowdown. However, they still like to maintain sales momentum,” he said. “With fewer buyers coming through their doors, the odds are better that you’ll be able to secure a home at a better price or on better terms than waiting until the spring when builders have more traffic and are less anxious to negotiate.”
Edward R. James Homes has several winter-buying opportunities available. The firm recently completed a luxury custom home on a ½ acre at 1425 Glenview Road, walking distance to downtown Glenview, Ill. The firm also recently opened sales at Brighton Mews, a 29-unit maintenance-free townhome development in downtown Park Ridge, Ill. Another Edward R. James Homes maintenance-free community, Westgate at The Glen, features 171 units, and has been one of the fastest selling communities in suburban Chicago during 2014, reaching the 50-percent sold mark in just seven months. Visit www.erjames.com for more information.

Shop For Cold Weather …
Builders also noted that shopping for a new-construction home in the winter helps buyers better evaluate features and finishes in the context of how they’ll function in cold weather months. “Chicago winters can be long, cold and messy – but people aren’t necessarily in that mindset if they’re shopping for a home in the summer,” said Brunhofer. “The advantages of a feature like a mudroom really stand out when you’re in the middle of snowy weather, and dealing with wet boots and outerwear is top of mind.”

Brunhofer pointed to a three-car garage, which is included in a number of Meritus home designs, as another feature that buyers appreciate in the winter. “Many of our buyers use the third bay to store their snow thrower, so they can access it without moving cars around,” he said. “And families with a third car for a teenage driver love that they can park all their vehicles in the garage when there’s snow in the forecast, so it’s easier to clear the driveway, whether they do the shoveling themselves or have a service.”

Likewise, James said the maintenance-free lifestyle offered at Edward R. James Homes communities, in which snow removal is provided, is a key selling point for many buyers.

… But Think Ahead to Spring
Builders also advised winter homebuyers to think ahead to warm weather in a new-construction community and consider features that aren’t as visible with snow on the ground. “Buyers should ask about landscaping and plantings that are included with their home site, so they know what to expect when things start to bloom,” said James. “And if it’s a maintenance-free community like those we offer, buyers need to ensure they’re clear on what landscaping maintenance they’re responsible for, and what is included.”

“Buyers can also ask the sales team if they have photos of the community’s open spaces and any common areas during warm-weather months, so they’ll have an idea what they’ll be looking out at on a daily basis,” suggested Brunhofer. “At Greenbrook at Highland Woods, our buyers have access to a terrific clubhouse, resort-style pool and beautiful grounds. Seeing photos of these amenities in their summer splendor shows our buyers the lifestyle they’ll enjoy all year long.”

Edward R. James Homes suggests homebuyers ask about landscaping and plantings on the home site, so they know what to expect when things start to bloom.

Meritus Homes’ Dunberry floor plan features a third garage bay that is convenient for storing a snow thrower or parking a third car during snowy weather.