William Ryan Homes Phoenix: Frequently Asked Questions
The homebuilding process
In our nearly 30 years as an industry leader, we have helped homebuyers all over the country achieve their dream of homeownership. We are humbled by the more than 11,000 people who have entrusted us to help them achieve that dream, and we empathize with the stress that can come from finding, purchasing, and designing your dream house. But through thoughtful listening and careful planning, we pride ourselves on Making Homes Personal.
The list of questions below are among the most common we've received.
How long have you been in business?
William Ryan Homes was founded in 1992 by William J. Ryan. We have built more than 11,000 new homes across the country in that time, and we currently offer:
- New single-family homes for sale in Madison, Wisconsin
- New single-family homes for sale in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- New single-family homes for sale in Chicago, Illinois
- New single-family homes for sale in Tampa, Florida
- New single-family homes for sale in Phoenix, Arizona.
In the 29 years since we’ve opened our doors, we have maintained our core values as a family-owned business while operating as a national homebuilder. When you build with William Ryan, you’ll receive the care and attention of a local builder with the cost savings that come with using a national homebuilder. Click here to see what past homebuyers say about William Ryan Homes.
Are you the same as Ryan Homes?
No, but there is a family connection. Bill Ryan’s uncle, Ed, is the founder of Ryan Homes. In fact, Bill Ryan comes from a great family of homebuilders that spans three generations. His father, Bill, and uncle, Jim, also founded their own highly successful homebuilding companies.
Bill followed in his family’s footsteps when he founded William Ryan Homes in 1992. He used the knowledge he accumulated through growing up in the industry to create his own vision for homebuilding. His vision of providing the highest quality homes at a value-driven price filled an important, underserved niche in the industry.
How long have you built in Milwaukee?
As a Marquette graduate, Bill Ryan was excited to open William Ryan Homes Milwaukee more than a decade ago. Our dedicated staff has more than 100 combined years of experience in the new construction industry. We have built countless, high-quality, affordable homes for area residents since our inception, and we look forward to continuing to offer new homes in the Greater Milwaukee area.
Where do you build?
William Ryan Homes Milwaukee offers beautiful, energy-efficient, single-family homes for sale in Sussex. Be sure to fill out a contact form here to be the first to know of any new communities coming soon to the Greater Milwaukee area.
How many homesites are available?
The number of homesites can vary by community. Click on your desired community to see an up-to-date, accurate list of available sites.
What homeplans are available?
Whether you’re looking for a new home with more space to accommodate your growing family or you’re looking to downsize, William Ryan Homes Milwaukee has something for you. We offer new single-family homes that range from 1,616 square feet to 4,206 square feet. Visit our homeplans page to find the perfect home to suit your needs.
What is the price range?
William Ryan Homes Milwaukee offers new homes starting from the low $400's. Keep in mind that soaring lumber prices will lead to price increases for new homes across the country. Timing is everything in real estate. With price increases looming and historically low interest rates, now is the best time to purchase a new William Ryan home.
Are there new homes available now?
Maybe you want all the perks of buying new construction, but you need to move quicker. For such a situation, we sometimes carry an inventory of quick move-in homes that were constructed using years of proprietary data to ensure that it includes all the best features that homeowners want. Click on the Quick Move-In Homes tab to see a complete, updated list.
How long does it take to build a new construction house?
The average time can vary based on location, but on average, building a new construction house takes between 6-to-8 months from the day you purchase your house to the day you move in. Weather, material shortages, permitting, and other factors outside our control can contribute to a lengthier process.
What standard features are included in the base price?
We offer a high level of standard features that vary based on community and plan. Please reach out to Elizabeth Larson for a more extensive list of features of our new homes in Milwaukee.
Does the home come with a finished basement?
Each of our floor plans come with a full basement as well as a 10-year dry basement warranty. Unlike most new construction builders in Milwaukee, we also offer a fully finished basement option.
Does the home come with any automation features?
We offer a Clare Controls home automation operating system because we believe that the best way to enjoy your new, luxurious home is with the latest and greatest technology features. These automation features help make entertainment systems easier to use, homes more comfortable to live in, energy usage more efficient, and security systems smarter. In addition, we also offer video doorbells, smart thermostats, and other Smart Home technologies. Please check with one of our New-Home Specialists to see what automation features are offered as standard or optional features at your desired community.
Can I visit my home during construction?
Can I visit my home during construction?
Yes. As part of William Ryan Homes Quality Assurance Program, there will be multiple opportunities during the building process for you to visit your new home. These walk throughs will be overseen by your Superintendent and New-Home Specialists. For safety reasons, unsupervised visits are prohibited.
- Pre-construction walkthrough
- Pre-drywall walkthrough
- Pre-closing walkthrough
- Closing walkthrough
Do you offer promotions?
We want to make sure that our homebuyers receive even more value when purchasing their dream home. Offering promotions and buyer incentives are a terrific way to do that. A complete list of current promotions can be found on our promotions tab. Keep in mind that these do expire so be sure to take advantage of your preferred promotion quickly!
Which is better: New homes vs resale
When you buy from us you're building your dream home from the ground floor. There's no need to spend thousands of dollars on immediate renovations; you've already built your new home exactly how you want it to be.
You are also receiving brand-new energy-efficient appliances, mechanicals, windows, and a roof - each designed to lower your monthly energy bill. These are expensive features that have a life expectancy, and they might need to be replaced sooner than later with a resale. Lastly, William Ryan’s 10-2-1 transferable home warranty gives you peace of mind that you can't get with resale.
What is a HERS rating?
The HERS rating, or The Home Energy Rating System, was created by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET®). It is a measurement of energy efficiency. Think of it like the miles per gallon on your car except that with HERS®, the lower the rating, the less energy your home wastes, and the more money you save on utilities.
The measurement takes the following aspects into account:
- All exterior walls (above and below grade)
- Floors over unconditioned spaces (such as garages or cellars)
- Ceilings and roofs
- Attics, foundations and crawlspaces
- Windows and doors, vents and ductwork
- HVAC system, water heating system and thermostats
- Square footage, number of bedrooms, and types of flooring
- Performance test results from the blower door test and duct testing
RESNET® uses a reference home as their baseline, giving it a HERS® score of 100. Any point above or below that score equates to a 1% difference. A 99 HERS rating is 1% more energy efficient than a 100 HERS rating.
A William Ryan new home has an average HERS of 55, which is 30% more energy efficient than our average competitor, and 75% more energy-efficient than the average resale. Click here to find out why.
How much do utilities cost on average?
Utility costs can vary based on location, square footage, and a few other factors. According to a study from Move.org, the average U.S. homeowner spends $412.25 on utilities each month. This includes electricity, natural gas, water, cable, internet, and trash/recycling. Nearly half that cost is attributed to electricity and natural gas. To see your state’s average monthly utility cost click here.
Other factors outside location and square footage that can impact your average utility costs include the age and energy efficiency of your home. With a William Ryan home you are receiving a brand-new, energy-efficient home guaranteed to keep these costs down
What schools would my kids be attending?
We pride ourselves on building beautiful new homes in desirable areas. There are few aspects that make a community more desirable than knowing it will provide your kids with a high-quality education. Keep in mind, however, that we have no control over potential school boundary changes that may occur.
Can you tell me about local daycares?
Childcare is an important consideration when deciding to purchase a new home. The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics show that 64% of families have two working parents. For those without free childcare solutions (read: grandparents!), living near great daycare options is paramount. Below are a few daycare options for each of our Milwaukee communities.
Is there an HOA? If so, how much and what does it cover?
Certain communities will include an HOA. These HOA’s will items such as landscaping, snow removal, and access to any community amenities. Check with one of our New-Home Specialists to see if your desired community has an HOA.
Are there any community amenities?
Sussex Preserve will be offering a brand-new clubhouse with two pools starting in 2021.
Is landscaping included?
Yes, there are landscaping options included with the purchase of your new home. Be sure to discuss these options with one of our New-Home Specialists to ensure you receive the perfect package for you.
Can I get a fence in my yard?
Fence restrictions vary by community – and at times, by homesite. These restrictions can apply to both the height and the material. If a fence is an important part of your homebuying decision, it is best to discuss this with one of our New-Home Specialists before choosing your lot.
What is the tax rate?
Property taxes are an important consideration for homeownership. They vary by municipality, can change yearly, and impact your monthly payments. Online tools such as the Smart Asset Calculator can be helpful, but we do recommend talking with one of our New-Home Specialists or preferred lenders to receive an accurate figure before purchasing a new home.
Do I have to use a preferred lender?
A homeowner may use any lender of their choice. However, there are a number of reasons we do recommend a preferred lender.
- Extended Rate Lock: Most mortgage lenders lock in your rates for 30-60 days after pre-qualification. This is a doable time period for resale, but rate locks for new construction need a longer time period. Our preferred lenders understand the new construction buying process and know how to lock in your rates for the necessary amount of time.
- There can be differences between closing on a resale and closing on a new construction home. Our preferred lenders are experienced experts in closing new construction home, and they can help navigate you through any unforeseen circumstance.
Click here to see a list of our preferred lenders.
How much of a down payment is required?
We do require a financial commitment from the homebuyer to begin the home building process. This is typically a 10% down payment that goes to the total purchase price. Another down payment may be required by your lender depending on your mortgage type.
Can I roll option costs into my mortgage?
Yes. All options go toward the total purchase price and can be rolled into your mortgage.
Can you help me if I have bad credit?
Our preferred lenders offer an array of financing plans for customers with credit challenges. We can also connect you with a Credit Repair specialist to help assist you through your journey to homeownership.
Can you help me if I’m locked into a lease
Every situation can be unique. Remember, though, new construction is unique to resale. You typically close 6-to-8 months after the purchase date. This can help with the timing of your lease. If you are currently obligated to a lease, early payoff assistance may be available. Be sure to ask one of our New-Home Specialists for more information to see if you qualify.
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