How To Get Started Buying New Construction

Updated 10/27/2019 Due to Popular Demand

Buying a newly constructed home in the St. Louis or St. Charles County areas can be an exciting adventure. New house smell? Check.  Custom to your design and function needs? Check.  The latest in home building technologies? Check.  What about where to begin? Or which home builder to trust? Um…  This is why contacting a Realtor with experience in new construction homes is the first step of the journey to owning a new home. We help new homebuyers understand the process and check off every single box for the project. 

When you contact a Realtor or home builder about buying new construction the conversation will likely begin with a variety of questions about your needs. So before you even make that first call, determine your answers to the following questions.

Buying New Construction? Start By Answering These Questions

What is your budget?
Knowing how much home you can afford will help you choose the best new construction home for you. To help you determine budget, you can use our handy mortgage calculator to calculate approximate monthly payments. Also, you’ll want to reach out to a mortgage professional to give you the best mortgage rates based on your credit score. Keep in mind if you are purchasing a property that includes a monthly fee, that fee must be considered in the amount of home you qualify to buy.

Need a good mortgage professional? Contact The Boehmer Team and we’ll give you some names of trusted local professionals.

Do you have a home to sell in order to help pay for a new home?
Selling a current home can be a big part of paying for a new home. If you have a home to sell, tell your Realtor so that they can create a competitive market analysis for your home to determine its current market value. A qualified Realtor can tell you what to expect on the sale price of your home, how long it has taken to sell comparable homes and what concessions may have been made to sell comparable homes. This will give you an idea of how much you will have toward your new home.

Do you have a time frame for when you must be moved into your new home?
If you have a deadline by which you must be moved into your new home, it is important to tell your Realtor. This will help determine whether you have the time to completely build a home from scratch or if you would be better off looking at other great options for buying new construction like buying a home currently being constructed or buying a builder inventory home.

Where do you want your new home to be located?
Determine the area where you want to live. Some good things to consider are school district and commute time. If you already have property where you want your new home built this may change your options for which builders you can use. Some builders create custom homes at any location, while others work within communities that they are building.

How involved do you want to be in the home design process?
The amount that you customize a home will affect your time frame and price. While builders allow choice of materials for the interior and exterior of a home, some materials cost more than others so these choices will affect your overall price. Design choices may also affect price as well as move-in timelines as it takes time to choose and order materials.

What are your must-have features and amenities?
Know the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and garage spaces you require. Think of the other amenities that you’ve been dreaming of too, like a fireplace, main floor laundry, additional separate office space, deck, mudroom with dog wash or something else.  Make a list and be prepared to give it to your Realtor.

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Do you have your answers? Or do you need help determining the answers to these questions? Contact The Boehmer Team for expert assistance with every detail when buying new construction. Want to learn more about us? Check out our Meet The Team page or some of our client testimonials from clients who have previously worked with The Boehmer Team.

St. Charles County Holiday Events 2018

It’s the holiday season in St. Charles County, Missouri! The days are shorter but the longer nights are perfect for sparkling lights, hot cocoa by the fire and festive holiday events. There are so many different types of holiday events happening right here in St. Charles County. We’ve put together a handy list in order of event start date. 

Note: For more details on an event below, click on the name of the event.

NOVEMBER HOLIDAY EVENTS

St. Peters 29th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 16th at 6:30pm

St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd., St. Peters, MO

Holiday-themed musical performances start with Joshua Barclay on the piano, followed by the kids of The Childbloom Guitar Program of St. Charles County, students from the Fort Zumwalt East High School Orchestra, singers from The St. Peters Choral Society, and Lindenwood University’s Voices Only. The countdown to the lighting of the tree happens right outside City Hall under the stars following the last musical performance. Following the ceremony, kids and families can visit and get photos with Santa Claus himself. Abra-Kid-Abra also returns this year, making one-of-a-kind complimentary holiday balloons for kids. Tasty treats will also be provided. Free event.

11th Annual Treasure Chest Holiday Expo
November 16, 17 and 18

St. Charles Convention Center

If you are looking for unique, often one-of-a-kind products, and fun party atmosphere, check out the Treasure Chest Holiday Expo. They'll have over 200 booths filled with one-of-a-kind arts, crafts, gourmet goodies, home decor, unique gift items, and more. Find just the right gift for everyone on your list this year. Free admission, free parking, raffles and door prizes throughout the weekend.

Wentzville Holiday Night Lights Drive-Thru

November 23 through the holiday season
Rotary Park, Wentzville

Enjoy the mile-long light display featuring beautiful scenes and tunnels of twinkling light. Drive-thru admission is $8 per vehicle of up to six passengers, $1 per additional passenger. On Saturday evenings at the Kolb Building you can also enjoy visits by Santa and see many decorated Christmas Trees on display from various businesses.

Christmas Traditions Festival

November 23 – December 24
Historic Downtown St. Charles

This month-long festival celebrates the best traditions of the holiday season from the past in present day downtown St. Charles, Missouri. Walk along the decorated, brick-lined streets where you'll find something special for everyone. Enjoy harmonious carolers, unique historic characters and an abundance of shopping and dining opportunities.

O'Fallon Celebration of Lights

November 23 - December 30

Fort Zumwalt Park

Visit Fort Zumwalt Park for the annual Celebration of Lights holiday light display where local organizations, churches and businesses design and fund amazing individual lighted scenes. There are no reservations needed to drive through the exhibit.
Don’t miss the Old Fashioned Holiday Stroll version of the event where one can walk through the Celebration of Lights on December 10th and 11th. Check their website for admission fees.

The Meadows of Lake Saint Louis Mayor Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 30

Clock Tower Plaza in Lake St. Louis

Watch as Lake St. Louis Mayor Kathy Schweikert kicks off the holidays with the lighting of the Lake St. Louis Christmas tree. Enjoy songs from Green Tree Elementary Choir, delight in complimentary chocolate chip cookies, carriage rides and a visit from Santa. Purchase a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or other coffee/tea specialty drinks from Surge Coffee Co. mobile truck. And don’t forget to bring a toy for the Toys for Tots gift drive. Those who drop off a new, unwrapped toy will receive a special coupon from Prados restaurant. Free event. 6 to 8 p.m.

Gracie & Lacy Present: Cool Yule

November 30 at 6:30pm

The Performing Arts Theatre, One St. Peters Centre Blvd., St. Peters (in the west wing of St. Peters City Hall)

Charleston's award-winning sister act is home for the holidays! Gracie and Lacy will perform Michael Buble, the Puppini Sisters and postmodern jukebox hits at their holiday show, Cool Yule. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased via the link above.

DECEMBER HOLIDAY EVENTS

Santa's North Pole Dash and Children's Snowman Shuffle

December 1st at 8:00am

Historic St. Charles

Watch or join 3000 Santas in this fun fundraiser for the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, now in its eighth year and gaining popularity. Come join the fun in historic downtown St. Charles. Children's dash as well as 5k and 1 mile walk also can be enjoyed.

Nutcracker Tea

December 2nd and 9th

Foundry Art Centre

Don your finest tea apparel and visit the "Land of Sweets" for Nutcracker Tea! Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland full of art activities, treats, and an accompanied ballet performance. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for adult members, $12 for children 12 and under, and $10 for children members. Don't miss this holiday favorite at the Foundry Art Centre. Tickets must be purchase by November 29th.  

The Gateway Ringers Holiday Concert

December 7th at 7:30pm

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8945 Veterans Memorial Parkway, O’Fallon, Mo 63366

The Gateway Ringers are members of the Handbell Musicians of America. This auditioned community handbell group performs using five octaves of Malmark handbells & six octaves of Malmark Choirchimes®. See their fantastic holiday concert at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Winter Wonderland on Ice Show

December 7th at 7:00pm and December 8th at 5:00pm

St. Peters Rec-Plex, 5200 Mexico Road, St. Peters, Mo 63376

Celebrate the holidays as the Rec-Plex North ice rink comes to life and turns into an enchanted Winter Wonderland on Ice. The best Rec-Plex solo skaters and synchronized skating teams will dazzle audiences with the beauty and skill of their original programs. Beloved holiday characters join in the festivities to make this a delightful event for the whole family.

Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk

December 7 & 14th, 5:00-10:00pm

Downtown Augusta

Experience more than a thousand luminaries lighting the historic town of Augusta, Missouri at the 36th Annual Candlelight Christmas Walk. Catch a ride on a free antique trolley or join in the scavenger hunt. Shop boutiques and galleries for holiday gifts including hand-blown glass, paintings and jewelry. Enjoy food vendors, restaurants, wineries & brewery decked for the season and serving traditional holiday fare.

Christmas Candlelight Walk

December 7, 8, 14, 15 from 6:00-10:30pm

Daniel Boone Historic Site, Defiance, Mo

Thousands of candles illuminate a world on the edge of the frontier. Step back into the early 1800s to experience Christmas as it was celebrated in the past with stories, music and hot cider. Limited tickets are available. Reservations are highly recommended.

Holiday House Tour

December 8th, 3:00-6:00pm

Augusta, Mo

Tour 5 beautifully decorated homes including a residential wine cellar. Complete your tour with free wine tasting at the Harmonie-Verein provided by Noboleis Vinyards and Montelle Winery. Tickets available online. Tickets and maps also available in the Harmonie-Verein at the corner of Church and Hackmann. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of event, and children under 12 are free.

St. Charles Municipal Band Holiday Concert

December 11th from 7:00-9:00pm

Scheidegger Center at Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Mo

Come on out for an evening of holiday music under the direction of St. Charles Municipal Band’s new director. The first half will be Concert band and after a short intermission the second half will feature the Big Band with vocalist. A visit from Santa Claus is expected. Free event.

Santa’s Search Party In The Park

December 15th, 11:00am-1:00pm

Indian Camp Creek Park, Foristell, Mo

Join Santa's search party in the park game! The object of this game is to find as many elves and other characters hidden along the trails as you can. A park map with clues is provided, but you will need your cell phone camera to take a picture of each character when found. Cost is $1 per person. Pre-registration is required. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

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There you have it. Get out there and be merry this season! Every day is a gift to make the most of. Join our wonderful communities in St. Charles County and make memories to last a lifetime. And if you are looking to buy or sell a home in St. Charles County this holiday season, put The Boehmer Team to work for you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Boehmer Team!

If we are missing any St. Charles County holiday events, contact us and we'll get them added to this list.