Buying a New Construction Home in Tennessee: What to Expect
Here's how buying a new construction home with Patterson Company works, from choosing a community to getting your keys and beyond.
The short answer
Buying a new construction home with Patterson Company follows a clear path: choose a community and home, talk with a lender, sign your contract and make your selections at the design center, then follow construction through four scheduled meetings and weekly builder updates before closing. If you choose a home that's already finished or under construction, some of these steps may already be done.
The steps to buying new construction with Patterson
Explore communities and homes
Patterson builds townhomes and single family homes in Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, Spring Hill and Madison, with Briley Hill coming soon to Cane Ridge. Visit a model home to see floor plans and finishes in person.
Talk with a lender
Prequalification gives you an estimate of what you can borrow. Preapproval is a deeper review. Our Home Financing 101 guide explains what lenders look at.
Choose your homesite and floor plan
For homes not yet built, you choose your homesite and a floor plan that fits how you live. See Personalizing Your Presale.
Sign your contract
Your purchase agreement is a legal contract, so read it carefully and ask our team about anything that's unclear. You may also want your real estate agent or an attorney to review it. At the time of contract, you'll receive an online sample of Patterson's PWSC warranty booklet.
Make your selections
You'll choose your finishes at the design center. Selections are completed before construction begins.
Follow construction
Patterson keeps you informed with four scheduled meetings and weekly builder updates, from your Pre-Construction meeting through your final sign off. Details are below.
Close and get your keys
About one week before closing, you'll tour your finished home at your New Home Orientation. Your final sign off walkthrough happens one day before closing.
Settle in with warranty support
About 6 to 8 weeks after closing, your personal PWSC warranty policy booklet arrives by mail. Read more in Understanding Your New Home Warranty.
Your four meetings during construction
Patterson schedules four meetings while your home is built, plus weekly builder update calls.
- Pre-Construction (PreCon) meeting: after your contract is finalized and selections are complete, typically after building permits are received, about 45 to 60 days from contract. You'll meet your Project Manager and review your home plan.
- Pre-Drywall meeting: once framing is complete and mechanicals are installed, you walk through the home before the walls go up.
- New Home Orientation: about one week before closing, you tour your completed home and learn how to operate and maintain its systems.
- Final Sign-Off meeting: one day before closing, a final walkthrough confirms outstanding items are complete.
See What to Expect: Your 4 Key Meetings for the full details.
Questions to ask before you sign
Every home and community is different. Ask our sales team these questions about the specific home you're considering:
- What is the estimated timeline for this home?
- What deposit is required, and when is it due?
- When do my selections need to be final?
- Which features are included and which are upgrades?
- Are any incentives available right now, and what do they require?
- What does the warranty cover?
- How do you work with my real estate agent?
Current incentives are listed on our Current Offers page.
Looking for a home that's already built?
Patterson also lists homes that are available now or nearing completion. With those homes, construction is already finished or underway, so some steps above, like choosing a homesite or floor plan, are already done. See available homes.
New construction buying questions
How long does it take to build a Patterson home?
Timelines vary by home and community, so ask our sales team for the estimated timeline for the home you're considering. Your Pre-Construction meeting is typically scheduled about 45 to 60 days from contract, after building permits are received.
When do I make my selections?
You make your selections at the design center, and they're completed before your Pre-Construction meeting.
What meetings will I have during construction?
Four: a Pre-Construction meeting, a Pre-Drywall meeting, a New Home Orientation about one week before closing, and a Final Sign-Off meeting one day before closing. You also get weekly builder updates.
What warranty comes with a Patterson home?
Patterson provides warranty coverage through the Professional Warranty Service Corporation (PWSC). Products like appliances and HVAC units also carry their own manufacturer warranties, which you register with each manufacturer.
Can I work with my own real estate agent?
Ask our sales team how Patterson works with your agent. Agents can also find information on our page for real estate agents.
Where can I see homes that are ready sooner?
Our Available Homes page lists homes that are available now or nearing completion.
Ready to take the next step?
Explore Patterson communities or call our team to talk through the home you're considering.
Patterson Company, LLC is an Equal Housing Opportunity builder. Process details describe Patterson's typical approach and may vary by home and community. Ask our sales team for details on a specific home.