Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We're here to help.
People who love design love our homes. That’s because we are the industry’s design leader. At Ashton Woods, we rely on honored design principles to build homes that feel right for a reason. It’s been our philosophy for over 30 years, and results in beautifully solved spaces that serve as the canvas where life comes to life. Our passion is sharing a love of home design with people who want to live in thoughtfully designed homes.
Ashton Woods currently builds new homes in the following cities:
Lot sizes vary based on municipality and zoning requirements, with floorplans designed and selected to accommodate these lot sizes during the development stages of a community.
Any space inside a home that has walls, a floor, a ceiling and heat are generally counted toward overall square footage. However, if there are spaces that don't meet the requirements, like an unheated, unfinished basement or a garage, they would not be counted. Stated dimensions, square footage, and window, floor, and ceiling elevations are approximate.
While the total sales price of your home may not be finalized until after the initial Purchase Agreement is signed and your options are selected and approved, a Community Sales Manager may provide you with an Estimate Worksheet during the sales process.
No, but if you utilize a Realtor you must register him or her upon your first visit to the Ashton Woods community sales office.
At Ashton Woods Studios, you’ll spend time collaborating with our professional designers, talking about your style and how you like to live and taking in all the finishes on our Wall of Inspiration. Then, together, you’ll pull your favorites to showcase your own sense of style as you create a home that speaks just to you.
Consider The Ashton Woods Collections the chance to give your home the added touch of our own designers without the time or complexity of selecting every option. They are the designer-curated palettes of interior finishes that instantly make your brand-new home an Ashton Woods masterpiece. You can view the Collections at the sales offices of communities that offer the Collections or at the local Studio by Ashton Woods.
Ashton Woods Homes are designed with today’s discerning homeowner in mind. We know how much you value good design. We also respect your time and appreciation for the value of finishes you choose for your home. Once we finalize the finishes for each home, they are quickly ordered from our trusted brand partners to ensure the home is built on time and kept on schedule. Our policy does not allow late-stage changes. This policy is service driven, so you avoid delayed products, complications with returns and extra fees. This policy also means we can deliver good design, as well as on time delivery of every home.
Pre-qualification is always helpful as a first step in the home-buying process as it is a simple way to determine how much you can afford and help you set a price range. You'll be asked to provide your lender with some information about your finances, including your income, any debt and basic details about your bank accounts. In many cases, you'll be able to learn how much you may qualify for immediately. Please contact your lender for more details.
Earnest money is money that is put down to reserve your home and shows you are serious about moving forward with the homebuying process. The amount differs by neighborhood, so our Community Sales Managers can provide more information.
Mortgage closing costs are fees and expenses you pay when you secure a loan for your home, beyond the down payment. Costs vary but are generally three to five percent of your loan amount and may include title insurance, attorney fees, appraisals, taxes and more.
A lot premium is an additional charge if the lot you choose for your home is larger or more desirable in some way compared to other lots in the community. For example, it may be positioned on a corner or in front of a wooded area to allow for more privacy, have water views, etc.
The final price of a to-be-built home is determined based upon the floorplan base price and any elevation premium, as well as structural options, homesite premium and design options and upgrades selected. You will receive an Estimate Worksheet during the sales process to help you understand approximate costs.
A lender is a bank or financial institution that provides home loans. They will lend you the money you need to buy a home. Ashton Woods, itself, is not a lender; however, we have a few affiliated lenders that you can work closely with when you begin the homebuying journey. These lenders differ by market.
The closing attorney or title company (location dependent) handling the closing will provide a Closing Disclosure summarizing your costs, as required by applicable laws.
A lock-in or "rate lock" on a mortgage loan means that your interest rate will not change before your offer and your closing as long as you close within the specified time frame and there are no changes to your application. You should discuss rate lock opportunities with your lender.
While Ashton Woods will make every effort to build your new home in a timely manner, the actual timeframe itself may vary depending upon municipality requirements and procedures, permitting, weather conditions and receipt of building materials.
Ashton Woods Homes are designed with today’s discerning homeowner in mind. We know how much you value good design. We also respect your time and appreciation for the value of finishes you choose for your home. Once we finalize the finishes for each home, they are quickly ordered from our trusted brand partners to ensure the home is built on time and kept on schedule. Our policy does not allow late-stage changes. This policy is service driven, so you avoid delayed products, complications with returns and extra fees. This policy also means we can deliver good design, as well as on time delivery of every home. It is important for us to deliver your home to you on time and without product/finish complications, but on occasion specific communities may offer limited changes based on the build stage of the home. Please contact your local sales office for specific details.
Ashton Woods will notify you of your approximate closing date once the final construction schedule is established for completing your home. You will receive a final closing date once the home has a certificate of occupancy.
If applicable, based on your purchase of a to-be-built home or an inventory home, the following meetings may be scheduled with your builder: a Pre-Construction Orientation, a Pre-Drywall Orientation, and a Homeowner Orientation to help you get acquainted with your new Ashton Woods home prior to closing.
Yes. Depending on the applicable municipality, there may be a number of pre-determined inspections that are required throughout the build process, which may include additional third-party inspections as well.
You may, at your expense, have your home inspected prior to your New Home Orientation, as outlined in your Purchase Agreement.
Instructions on handling issues that may arise after you move into your new Ashton Woods home will be provided at your Homeowner Orientation prior to closing.
Typically, instructions for amenity access are provided at or just prior to closing, when applicable.
Many Ashton Woods communities are governed by rules and regulations of a Homeowner's Association, which typically provide guidelines on fencing requirements and other improvements the homeowner wishes to make after closing.
Go to ashtonwoods.com and search for your desired community. At the top of the community page, click on the “Schools” tab to view information about area schools. Buyers should conduct their own research to confirm all available school offerings in the area.
HOA or Homeowner Association fees vary by community and typically cover the costs of maintaining common areas such as landscaping, swimming pools, club houses and other amenities.
Each community is different. Consult your Ashton Woods community sales manager for specific time frames.
At Ashton Woods, we know your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, financially and emotionally. Ashton Woods will provide a written, limited new home warranty administered by a third-party company at or prior to closing.
Warranty requests may be submitted through the portal located on the Ashton Woods website at www.ashtonwoods.com/warranty-ticket.
The home warranty is transferable to your next owner during the warranty period only.