Raise your hand (or maybe a glass of eggnog or a peppermint mocha?!) if you agree with this statement:
The holidays are the best.
Celebrating the holidays in a new home?
Double hand raise, as in, best feeling EVER.
The holiday season brings family gatherings, cozy traditions, and, a personal favorite of team Brookline Homes, a sense of home. For buyers building or buying in the fall, one big question always comes up: “Will my home be ready in time?”
We sat down with our friend and colleague, Andi Dirkschneider Bliss, President of Brookline Homes, to talk through timelines, what impacts the building process, and how Brookline keeps buyers informed every step of the way.
Brookline Homes (BH): It’s right around this time of year – October – that buyers and families start to ask if their home will be ready for the holidays. How do you respond to this question when it comes across your desk?
Andi Dirkschneider Bliss (ADB): It’s a really good question, and I always say: It depends on timing. For single-family homes, our typical build cycle is about three to four months. Townhomes take a little longer – usually five months – because we’re building multiple units, sometimes up to six, at once.
For buyers who started their build process with us before August 1, the answer is “yes”, I am confident your home will be ready for the holidays. For buyers coming to us in September or later, the answer is usually no, unless they’re purchasing a home that’s already complete. In that case, they can move in right away and be fully settled before the holidays, ready to decorate and start new traditions.
BH:
What factors could affect whether my home is ready on time?
ADB: Weather is always a factor, though here in the Carolinas we don’t see extreme delays often. A major hurricane, however, can pull subcontractors away to focus on urgent repairs elsewhere, and we support that because we want all our neighbors, near and far, to have safe, warm, livable homes first.
The other factor is what we call “trade availability”. Larger, national builders sometimes pull crews onto their projects all at once, which can slow things down. That’s why we don’t promise that homes started in September or later will be finished by year-end. It gives us a buffer to manage quality and avoid stress for our buyers.
BH: If my home will be done before the holidays, what does Brookline do to make sure it’s move-in ready?
ADB: We don’t hand over homes with an open “punch list” of items unless there’s an unusual circumstance the buyer agrees to. Some builders close with an IOU list, but we don’t. If something isn’t right – say a kitchen cabinet door is damaged – we’ll talk with the buyer about whether to delay closing by a day or two. Our goal is always to deliver a home that feels complete and ready.
Our team does extra quality assurance before the buyer’s final walkthrough. Think of it as doing the “blue tape” process ourselves, so what you see is a house in excellent shape. Homes are built by human hands, so no house will be perfect, but they will be cared for and ready to live in.
BH: What usually delays closings at the very end?
ADB: Nine times out of ten, it’s paperwork. If buyers don’t get documents to their lender on time, or if the appraisal comes in late, that can push things back. We encourage buyers to use our preferred lenders, who understand new construction and follow a process that helps avoid those last-minute headaches.
BH: What about the last week of December—can I still close then?
ADB: We don’t close homes during the final week of the year. It’s too stressful for buyers, attorneys, and our own team. Moving between Christmas and New Year’s isn’t enjoyable either, and we want our homeowners’ first experience to be a positive one.
BH: Let’s say everything’s on track. What’s your best advice for moving in during the holidays?
ADB: Plan ahead for the essentials. I always recommend a “first night” tote with things like paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, trash bags, and paper plates. That way you can order pizza, relax, and enjoy your first night without digging through boxes.
Label everything clearly, and book movers early if you’re moving between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a busy season, and you don’t want to be left scrambling. Don’t forget utilities either. Our team provides buyers with instructions about 45 days out, but it’s still something to keep top of mind. Nothing puts a damper on moving day like no power.
And if you want the easiest transition, ask about our move-in package. It includes a washer, dryer, blinds, and refrigerator, all installed and ready to go. For first-time buyers, it’s a stress-saver.
BH: Final thoughts for buyers hoping to be in a new home by the holidays?
ADB: There’s something really special about spending your first holiday in a new home. It makes me so happy to see families enjoying their new homes, making memories, hosting gatherings or dinners or events.
My advice is to stay in communication, ask questions, and lean on our team. We send weekly updates, including photos, so you always know where things stand. Buying a home can be stressful, but with clear communication and planning, we make sure the experience is as seamless as possible.
If you’re dreaming of a holiday season in a new home, timing is key. For buyers starting in the fall, it may mean purchasing a completed home or planning ahead for an early 2026 move-in.
Either way, Brookline Homes is here to help you, so that when you do move in, you can focus on what really matters and why we love what we do: making your new house feel like home.
And, let’s be honest, there’s no better time to be in a new home with people you love (or a mother-in-law to impress!) than at the holidays.
