What happens after I sign a Non‑Binding Reservation on a new home with Lewis Builders, and what steps do I need to take next?
A clear, step‑by‑step guide to financing, documents, and timelines after signing your Non‑Binding Reservation.
Congratulations on taking the first step to becoming a homeowner at a Lewis Builders Neighborhood. It is an exciting time, but it can also be a little overwhelming. In an effort to make your home buying experience as stress-free as possible, this email is to help walk you through what comes next. Please make sure to add Lewis Builders to your 'safe-sender' list as well as PandaDoc, our platform for electronic contracts.
After signing your Non-Binding Agreement, there are a few things to accomplish in order to move to the next step – The Purchase & Sales Agreement.
1. Financing:
- If you are financing this purchase, obtain a pre-approval letter from your lender or let us know if you need a lender recommendation.
- If you are paying by cash, you will need to provide proof of funds from your financial institution. This can be as simple as a bank statement (please black out any account numbers), or a letter from the institution verifying funds are available.
IMPORTANT: The Residential Real Estate Report
Starting March 1, 2026, certain residential real estate transactions must be reported to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) who is part of the US Department of the Treasury.
This rule is designed to combat money laundering which aids terrorists, the drug trade, and human-traffickers.
A transaction must be reported if:
- The property is residential real estate (including condos, townhomes, co-ops and vacant land intended for 1-4 family structures)
- The transfer is non-financed (e.g., all-cash) or where the lender does not have an anti-money laundering (AML) program
- The buyer is a legal entity or trust
- You can learn more by visiting (https://www.fincen.gov/rre)
It is imperative that we know prior to signing your Purchase and Sales Agreement if you will be purchasing in the name of a Trust and what the name of the Trust is.
You will need to choose a Closing Attorney or Title Company as soon as your Purchase and Sales Agreement is signed. They will be the one to gather the information needed for compliance and fill out the required forms. Delay on your end will delay your closing. Please let us know if you need a recommendation.
2. Selections:
- Meet with your Sales Consultant to pick your selections and upgrades if applicable.
- Once a quote of your requested upgrades is provided, determine which ones you want to move forward with so a final price can be determined for your unit.
3. Documents to review and sign:
- Condo documents will be sent in a separate email through PandaDoc for your review and electronic signature. You can also visit our website to download these and any future Amendments.
- The Buyer Visit Policy will be sent in a separate email through PandaDoc for your review and electronic signature.
4. Purchase and Sales Agreement:
- Review the Draft Copy of the Purchase & Sales Agreement (P&S) with your Attorney and/or Realtor® (if applicable).
- Your Purchase & Sales Agreement will be signed 10-14 days after signing your Non-Binding Agreement, depending on the amount of time needed for selections and pricing of upgrades.
- Contracts can be signed electronically via PandaDoc, or you can make an appointment to sign in person.
- You will be providing two checks when signing the P&S: the 2nd Escrow check (Made payable to Goodsell Law Office) and your Upgrades check (made payable to Lewis Builders Development, Inc.).
The entire Sales Team is committed to make this as fun and stress-free as possible. We work as a team and are all here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general guidance only and is subject to change without notice. Specific timelines, requirements, and procedures may vary by community, lender, and individual circumstance. Please consult your Sales Consultant, attorney, and/or lender for the most current and applicable information for your purchase.