The "Spec Home" Shortcut: How to Get a New Construction Home in 45 Days

A brand new, meticulously crafted home in just 45 days. It may sound too good to be true, but when you purchase a spec home from Country Joe Homes, that’s exactly what you get. Our spec homes are the ideal option for buyers who want all the perks that a modern semi-custom build has to offer, plus a quick move in schedule normally reserved for pre-owned home purchases.

In this blog, we will:

• Define a "spec" home vs. a "to-be-built” home
• Explain why 45 days is the magic closing window
• Discuss the benefits of professional design picks and lock-in ready mortgage rates

What is the "Spec Home" Shortcut?

In the context of housing construction, ‘spec’ is short for speculative. Simply put, a spec home is a new house, constructed at the discretion of a home builder, on the assumption that a buyer will be found relatively easily. By the time you see them, spec homes are move-in-ready or just about, perhaps needing just a bit of trim or paint. They are designed and built to suit the needs of a wide range of potential homeowners.

This is in contrast to traditional ‘to-be-built’ semi-custom home purchases, where the house isn’t started until the buyer has financed the build. While this method offers the advantage of customizations, it also takes 300+ days to go from dirt to a finished home. To cater to those who prefer a fast move-in schedule over customization opportunities, Country Joe Homes regularly invests in spec builds in the South Metro’s top neighborhoods

The 45-Day Timeline: From Contract to Keys

The time frame for closing on a spec home is similar to the timeframe for closing on a pre-owned home. However, the time itself is allocated a little differently. A typical timeline looks like:

• Week 1-2: The home inspection takes place, financing gets approved, and the final walkthrough happens
• Week 3-4: The final "punch list" is taken care of and the home is cleaned from top to bottom.
• Week 5-6: The closing process wraps up and the homeowner can begin moving in.
• Day 45: The move-in process is complete.

Why "Pre-Selected" Means "Designer-Curated"

Decisions regarding a spec home’s finishes and customizations are made by an internal design team, since no buyer is yet involved. At Country Joe Homes, we focus on coordinating high-value finishes like quartz counters, LVP flooring, and cabinetry that appeals to modern Twin Cities tastes. And because a professional design team is calling the aesthetic shots from start to finish, spec homes often end up feeling more cohesive than your average semi-custom build.

But for buyers who still want to squeeze in a few last minute personalizations, catching a spec home at the drywall stage is the sweet spot. During this window, it is often still possible for the buyer to choose certain finishing details like lighting, hardware, or paint colors.

Financial Perks of the Shortcut

For many, the decision to buy a spec home is driven by a desire or need to move in a relatively short timeframe. However, there are also distinct financial perks that can make the spec route even more attractive.

For starters, the 45-day close window allows buyers to lock-in on a rate with much greater confidence. Buying spec also minimizes the ‘double carry’ period, where you’re paying for both your current housing and a new construction loan. Finally, while custom builds have fluctuating prices, a spec home has a firm sticker price, eliminating unpleasant financial surprises when it comes time to pay the bill.

Standard Features That Aren't "Standard"

Because a spec home is pre-built to appeal to a wide swath of buyers, you may be wondering if the floorplans are somehow simplified or ‘dumbed down’ compared to a dirt-start Country Joe build. To that, we’re happy to say no way. Our spec homes still feature all of the signature high-end elements at the core of our home design ethos, including:

• Vaulted ceilings
• Oversized mudrooms
• Abundant natural light
• High-performance MN energy envelopes
• Finished or "ready-to-finish" lower levels

Finding Your Shortcut in the South Metro

To browse our current CJH spec homes in Lakeville and Inver Grove Heights, you can start by checking out our available homes page. But the best way to get a feel for our spec properties is to take an in-person tour of one of our model homes. During your tour, you get to try your potential future home on for size, and figure out for sure if a spec home of the same style is just what you’ve been looking for.

Enjoy both the speedy process of a resale home AND the impeccable quality of a new build when you choose to buy a CJH spec home in 2026!