Home inspector with a clipboard and flashlight checking framing, wiring and plumbing in a new home before drywall
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Buying a New Construction Home in NC: 7 Steps, From Contract to Keys

Carla Sevilla — Owner and Head of Sales••7 min read

Short answer: Buying a new construction home in North Carolina follows seven steps: pick your community and home, sign the contract and pay earnest money, make your selections, inspect before drywall, do the final inspection and walkthrough, close, and use your warranty. With Glenwood Homes, a to-be-built home typically takes 5 to 7 months from groundbreaking to move-in, and yes, you can bring your own home inspector. We recommend two inspections: one before drywall and one before closing.

Here's what happens at each step and what to ask.

Verified Oct 2026: the Glenwood process in numbers

  • Build time: typically 5 to 7 months from groundbreaking to move-in
  • Earnest money: typically $5,000 to $10,000
  • Structural options: chosen within 7 days of contract
  • Interior selections: chosen within 14 days of contract, at our Design Center in Morrisville
  • Builder meetings: pre-construction meeting, pre-drywall conference, pre-settlement walkthrough
  • Your own inspector: welcome at pre-drywall and final
  • Lender: you're free to use any lender
  • Warranty: 1-2-10 warranty through 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, plus an 11-month walkthrough
  • Energy: every Glenwood home is ENERGY STAR certified

Step 1: Pick your community and home

Start with location, then the home. Location sets your taxes, school system and commute, and you can't change those later. Then choose between a move-in-ready home and a to-be-built home.

Move-in ready vs. to-be-built: A move-in-ready (or nearly finished) home lets you close in weeks instead of months, and you can see exactly what you're buying. A to-be-built home lets you choose your floor plan, homesite and finishes, but you'll wait 5 to 7 months. If you have a lease ending or a home to sell, move-in ready is usually simpler.

Questions to ask:

  • Is this homesite inside town limits? (It changes your tax rate. See our Johnston County property tax guide.)
  • Which schools is this address assigned to this year?
  • Is there an HOA, and what are the dues?

Step 2: Sign the contract and pay earnest money

Once you pick a home, you'll sign a purchase agreement and pay earnest money, typically $5,000 to $10,000 with Glenwood. Read the contract for how the deposit is handled, what happens if your financing falls through, and how change orders are priced.

You're free to use any lender. Get pre-approved before you sign so your budget covers options and closing costs.

Step 3: Make your selections

With Glenwood, structural options (like a different elevation or added room) are chosen within 7 days of contract, and interior selections (finishes, flooring, cabinets, fixtures) within 14 days at our Design Center in Morrisville. After that, changes get harder and more expensive, because materials get ordered and the schedule is set.

What I tell buyers: Spend your upgrade budget on things that are hard to change later: structure, layout and anything behind the walls. Paint, light fixtures and hardware are easy to swap after you move in.

Step 4: Pre-drywall inspection

Should you get an inspection on new construction? Yes. New homes are inspected by the county or town building inspector at required stages, but those inspections check code compliance, not workmanship or your contract. A private home inspector works for you.

What is a pre-drywall inspection? It's an inspection after framing, plumbing, electrical and HVAC rough-ins are in, but before the walls are closed. It's the only time an inspector can see the framing, wiring, ductwork, plumbing lines, and window and door flashing. Once drywall goes up, those are hidden for good.

At Glenwood, this lines up with our pre-drywall conference, where you walk the home with us. You can bring your own inspector. In North Carolina, home inspectors are licensed by the NC Home Inspector Licensure Board, so ask for the license number when you hire one.

Questions to ask:

  • When exactly will the home be ready for the pre-drywall inspection, and how much notice will I get?
  • How will items from my inspector's report be handled, and when?

Step 5: Final inspection and walkthrough

What does an inspector check before closing? A final inspection looks at the finished home: roof, attic insulation, HVAC operation, plumbing fixtures and drains, electrical outlets and panel, appliances, grading and drainage around the foundation, windows, doors and cosmetic finishes. Schedule it before your pre-settlement walkthrough so you can bring the report with you.

At the pre-settlement walkthrough, you'll walk the home with us and note anything that needs attention before or after closing.

What I tell buyers: Bring blue painter's tape to the walkthrough and mark every spot you want touched up. It's faster than a list, and nobody argues about which scuff you meant.

Step 6: Closing

Closing is when you sign the loan and deed documents and get your keys. In North Carolina, a closing attorney handles it. Review your Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing, as federal rules require, and compare it with your loan estimate.

Step 7: Warranty and service requests

Every Glenwood home comes with a 1-2-10 warranty through 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. That warranty structure generally covers workmanship for the first year, certain systems for two years and structural defects for ten. Your warranty booklet spells out exactly what's covered, and our Customer Care page has warranty resources and service request details. We also do an 11-month walkthrough, so anything that shows up in the first year gets on the list before the first-year coverage ends.

Do I need a real estate agent for new construction?

You don't have to have one, but many buyers find it helps. An agent can compare communities, review the contract and attend the walkthroughs with you. If you use one, bring them to your first visit (many builders ask for this), and ask up front how their compensation will be handled. [CONFIRM WITH GLENWOOD: buyer-agent commission policy for 2026 contracts before publishing.]

New construction vs. resale: which costs more?

It depends on what you count. Resale homes may have a lower sticker price, but older homes often come with near-term repair costs like a roof, HVAC system or water heater, and higher utility bills. A new home costs more up front in some areas but comes with a builder warranty and new systems. Our Resale Reality Check calculator lays the two side by side for your numbers.

How long does it take to build a house in NC?

With Glenwood, typically 5 to 7 months from groundbreaking to move-in. Permits, weather and material deliveries can move that in either direction. Ask your builder for the current estimate on your specific homesite.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my own home inspector on new construction?

Yes. With Glenwood, you're welcome to bring your own licensed inspector for the pre-drywall and final inspections.

What is a pre-drywall inspection?

An inspection after framing and rough-ins are done but before the walls are closed. It's the only chance to see wiring, plumbing, ductwork and framing.

How much is earnest money on a new construction home?

With Glenwood, typically $5,000 to $10,000.

How long does it take to build a new home in North Carolina?

With Glenwood, typically 5 to 7 months from groundbreaking to move-in.

Do I have to use the builder's lender?

No. Glenwood buyers are free to use any lender.

What warranty comes with a new Glenwood home?

A 1-2-10 warranty through 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, plus an 11-month walkthrough.

Get the checklist

Touring builders? Get the free Builder Checklist: the questions to ask every builder, before you sign.

Ready to see homes? Book a tour, browse move-in-ready homes or explore our communities near Clayton and Zebulon.

Sources

Verified October 2026. We re-check this guide monthly.

Changelog: Nov 5, 2026: published.