Common Questions
What types of homes do you build?
Roeser Homes specializes in single-family construction, including custom homes and spec homes.
What makes Roeser Homes different from other builders?
Roeser Homes believes buyers should have access to the information they need to make an informed decision. The team works to make the homebuilding or home-buying process comfortable and transparent.
Roeser Homes also includes several standard features that other builders may treat as upgrades or charge for separately.
What do I need to get started?
To begin the building process, you will need:
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A sales contract
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A preapproval letter
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A 5% earnest-money deposit
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A selected and priced floor plan
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A neighborhood and/or lot
How many floor plans do you have?
Roeser Homes currently offers 21 floor plans to choose from when building your home.
Do you allow customization, and is there an additional charge?
Yes. Roeser Homes offers complete customization of its floor plans to accommodate your lifestyle and does not charge an additional customization fee.
How long does it take to build a home?
Construction timelines vary based on weather, terrain and other factors. A typical new-home build may take approximately nine months to more than one year.
What are site costs, and how much should I expect to pay?
Site costs are additional expenses determined by the specific lot and the construction requirements of the home. Environmental and property conditions can affect the amount.
Examples may include:
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Piering
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Foundation modifications
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Tree removal
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Additional grading material
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Other lot-specific construction requirements
When do I receive the final price of my home?
Approximately 30 days before closing, builder representatives and the Construction Manager will walk through the home to confirm that all costs are accounted for.
They will compare the home against the original Home Price Breakdown and Change Log. Missing charges will be added, and incorrect charges will be credited.
After all allowances are balanced, Roeser Homes will send the final Change Log to the homeowner for approval. Once approved, a final pricing amendment will be prepared.
The homeowner can then provide the lender with:
- The final pricing amendment
- The final Change Log
- The Home Price Breakdown
These documents allow the lender to order the appraisal.
Can I visit my home during construction?
Yes. Roeser Homes schedules several meetings throughout construction so homeowners can see their homes at different stages.
Homeowners may also visit during the building process, provided all safety precautions are followed. Visitors should remain clear of heavy machinery and avoid unfinished or unstable areas.
When can my lender order the appraisal?
A lender may begin asking about the appraisal 75 to 90 days before the original contracted closing date, although that much time is generally unnecessary.
Approximately 30 days before closing, Roeser Homes will conduct the final Change Log walkthrough. Allowances, additions and credits will be finalized, and the homeowner will receive the final Change Log for approval.
Once the final pricing amendment has been prepared and signed by both parties, the homeowner may send the amendment, Change Log and Home Price Breakdown to the lender so the appraisal can be ordered.
Will you build on a lot I already own?
Roeser Homes can build in many areas throughout the Kansas City metro. Contact the team to confirm whether construction is available in your specific location.
How does my warranty work?
Approximately five to seven days before closing, the Roeser Homes Warranty Manager will contact you to schedule a New Home Orientation.
During this approximately three-hour appointment, the Warranty Manager will:
- Explain the functions and operation of your home’s components
- Provide preventive-maintenance recommendations
- Walk through the interior of the home, beginning in the basement
- Walk around the exterior, weather permitting
- Explain how to submit your 60-day and 11-month warranty requests
Warranty claims may be submitted 60 days and 11 months after the closing date. All claims must be submitted through the homeowner’s Buildertrend portal.
Contact Roeser Homes if you have questions or concerns about accessing Buildertrend.
Closing Questions
When do I receive the keys?
You will receive your keys after closing and once the loan has funded. Your Construction Manager will meet you at the home and provide the keys.
Garage-door remotes and other important information will be placed in a Roeser Homes box located in a kitchen drawer.
When is the walkthrough?
The New Home Orientation Walkthrough is scheduled with the Warranty Manager approximately five to seven days before closing.
This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss unfinished or uncorrected items, ask questions, complete the final punch list and assess the quality of the home and its components.
When can I move into my home?
You may begin moving in once the loan has funded. Funding is separate from closing and typically occurs approximately two hours afterward.
Although most loans fund on closing day, same-day funding is not guaranteed. Do not schedule movers for the day of closing.
Friday closings are also discouraged. If the loan does not fund on Friday, the earliest possible move-in date may be the following Monday.
Where are the manuals for my home?
Throughout construction, the Construction Manager collects the manuals, pamphlets, booklets and other materials associated with the home.
These materials will be placed in a Roeser Homes-branded box in the pantry or a drawer for future reference.
Most manuals can also be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website if the original materials are lost or damaged.
When should I lock my interest rate?
Most lenders offer a complimentary rate-lock period, but the timing and cost vary by lender. Consult your lender before making a decision.
Because the closing date can change during construction, the Construction Manager will typically begin scheduling the remainder of the build approximately 90 days before completion, usually after drywall is finished.
This is generally the most appropriate time to consider locking your rate because the closing date is more predictable. However, closing dates are not guaranteed, so some flexibility should be maintained.
How does escrow work, and how much will be held?
If items such as sod, landscaping, irrigation or gutters are incomplete at closing, Roeser Homes may obtain a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.
Many lenders permit homeowners to move in when these items are incomplete, provided funds are held in escrow. Not every lender allows this, so buyers should understand a lender’s escrow policies before selecting one.
This is especially important during winter or periods of heavy rain, when exterior work may be difficult to complete.
Roeser Homes will provide the lender with a list and estimated value of the remaining work. The lender may hold the cost of the work plus a 50% premium.
For example:
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Irrigation: $4,000
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Landscaping: $3,000
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Sod: $3,000
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Total remaining work: $10,000
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Possible escrow requirement at 150%: $15,000
Roeser Homes will complete the remaining work. The lender will contact the homeowner for confirmation and release the escrowed funds to the builder after completion is verified.
Which title company does Roeser Homes use?
Roeser Homes closes with Kim Underwood at Security First Title.
Homeowners may select a different title company, but a $200 fee will apply. Closing with the same title company as the builder may also help the loan fund more quickly, allowing move-in to occur sooner.
When will sod and landscaping be installed?
Roeser Homes works to install sod and landscaping near the end of construction.
If the work cannot be completed before closing, the homeowner will receive an estimated completion timeline and the cost of the remaining work will be placed in escrow.
How does the closing process work?
On closing day, you will meet with your lender or the title company. You should bring a cashier’s check or initiate an electronic wire before the meeting.
Allow at least one hour to complete the paperwork and approximately two hours for the funds to transfer. Morning closings scheduled Monday through Thursday are recommended.
Moving into the home on closing day is not guaranteed, so movers should be scheduled accordingly.
When can cable or internet providers enter the home?
Utility providers may enter and exit the home as necessary. However, homeowners should confirm with the Construction Manager that required work, including low-voltage installation, will be completed before scheduling the provider.
Roeser Homes will not pay trip or cancellation fees if a cable or internet provider cannot complete the installation.
The safest option is to wait until the closing date to schedule the start of cable or internet service.
What should and shouldn’t I schedule around closing?
Keep the following guidelines in mind:
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Closing dates are not guaranteed, so maintain flexibility.
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Wait until closing day to schedule cable and internet installation.
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Do not schedule movers for the day of closing.
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Do not lock your interest rate without first discussing the expected closing date with your Construction Manager.
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Avoid closing on a Friday. If the loan does not fund that day, move-in may be delayed until Monday.