🏡 Ambience Homes Agent Process Guide
Process Overview
⏱️ Timeline from PSA to Closing
- Pre-Sales: Approximately 10 weeks
- Spec Homes (Near/Complete): 4-6 weeks
📊 Visual Process Flow
PSA to Closing Journey
Transaction Types
- New Construction Pre-Sales
- Spec Home Sales
- Rental/Investment Property Sales
Key Parties
- Seller's Agent (Ambience Homes representative)
- Buyer's Agent (if applicable)
- Buyer(s) - Primary and Secondary
- Escrow Company - Automatically notified
- Buyer's Lender - Notified upon PSA execution
- Preferred Lender - Receives notification to reach out
⚠️ Critical Process Rules
- Keys delivered at 5:00 PM on funding/recording day ONLY
- NO early occupancy allowed
- Earnest money due immediately (WA: to escrow, OR: collected via PSA)
- Final selections required BEFORE house starts construction
🌟 Quick Start Resources
New to the process? Start here:
- Closing Calendar - Your transaction dashboard
- Master Schedule - Construction timelines
- Form Locator - Find any form quickly
PSA Execution Process
📋 Pre-PSA Requirements
- Customer Intake Form - Must be completed first
- Lot Reservation Form - For pre-sales if buyer not ready to sign
- Verify Lot Inventory - Check premiums, available plans
- Apply Coupon Codes - Via Master Coupon Code form
PSA Workflow Steps
Seller's Agent Initiates
- Select lot and floor plan
- Apply any concession codes
- Verify lot inventory accuracy
- Update lot in system if needed
- Fill out PSA form
- Click "Send to Buyer's Agent" (if applicable) or "Send to Primary Buyer"
Buyer's Agent Reviews (if applicable)
- Receives email with form link
- Adds buyer details (name, email)
- Reviews all information
- Clicks "Send to Primary Buyer"
Primary Buyer Completes
- Receives email with form link
- Fills any missing fields
- Reviews all terms
- Oregon only: Pays earnest money via credit card
- Signs electronically
- Clicks "Send to Secondary Buyer" or "Submit Offer"
Secondary Buyer Signs (if applicable)
- Reviews entire PSA
- Signs electronically
- Clicks "Submit Offer"
Builder/Seller Accepts
- Anthony receives offer notification
- Must be logged in to accept (security feature)
- Reviews for accuracy
- Accepts and signs
- System sends all notifications
📧 Automatic Notifications
- All parties receive executed PSA and receipts
- Escrow receives documents + HPA form (OR) + builder warranties (FHA)
- Lender notified of transaction
- Preferred lender notified to reach out
- Buyer's agent receives feedback request
- Selling/buying firms receive documents
⚠️ Important PSA Notes
- For 3+ buyers: Use addendum process, then DocuSign for additional signatures
- Plot map must be signed by buyer (even spec homes)
- Final selections must be signed by buyer (even spec homes)
- If house already started: buyer accepts existing selections
- Use AI for clear descriptions in all fields requiring explanations
Key Milestones & Timeline
📅 Critical Milestone Schedule
- PSA Execution - Day 0
- Earnest Money Deposit
- Washington: Delivered to escrow immediately
- Oregon: Collected during PSA process
- Final Selections Due - Before construction start
- Plot Map Approval - Required for all sales
- Third-Party Inspection - On Final Inspection day per Master Schedule
- Orientation - 4th day of Detail phase
- Closing - Per contracted date
- Key Delivery - 5:00 PM on funding day
Document Timing Requirements
- Inspection Report: Must be submitted by Orientation Day
- FHA Amendatory Clause: Only after appraisal at/above sales price
- Orientation Checklist: Completed at orientation, serves as 35R
⚠️ Timing is Critical
Missing deadlines can cause delays and team frustration. The operations team needs documents delivered on time, every time, to perform their jobs effectively.
Inspection Process
📋 Quick Reference
Per PSA: Inspection items are added to orientation checklist, making 35R unnecessary (unless buyer/lender requires it)
Full details: ambiencehomes.com/35R
📅 Inspection Timeline
- Inspections occur on Final Inspection day per Master Schedule
- Report must be submitted before Orientation Day
- Late submissions forfeit inspection rights per PSA
🔄 Inspection Decision Tree
What Happens After Inspection?
- No 35R needed
- Notify Ambience
- Proceed to orientation
- Send to DOC
- DOC approves/denies
- Add to orientation list
- No 35R (unless required)
- No repairs requested
- Notify Ambience
- No 35R needed
- Proceed to orientation
⚠️ Key Inspection Rules
- Cosmetic items handled at orientation only
- No negotiation - work done to code/warranty standards
- Repairs may take up to 30 days
- Cannot delay closing unless seller approves
- Denied items receive written explanation
Orientation Process
Scheduling
Orientation is scheduled on the 4th day of Detail (counting only days labeled "Detail" on schedule)
Orientation Checklist Process
During Orientation
- Superintendent conducts walkthrough with buyer(s)
- All items noted on Orientation Checklist form
- Inspection report items (if any) added to checklist
- Cosmetic items addressed and added
Post-Orientation
- Ambience manager reviews/edits line items
- Manager approves and sends to buyer
- Sent directly to buyer (skips buyer's agent)
- Buyer signs electronically
📄 Orientation Checklist = 35R
The signed orientation checklist serves as the repair addendum (35R equivalent). This keeps the process consistent and meets PSA requirements.
Closing Process
Pre-Closing Requirements
- ✓ All inspection items addressed or documented
- ✓ Orientation checklist signed by all parties
- ✓ Final loan approval confirmed
- ✓ All addendums executed
- ✓ FHA Amendatory Clause signed (if applicable - only after appraisal confirms value)
- ✓ HPA form completed (Oregon only - $4,000 fine if missing!)
Closing Day Procedures
- Buyer completes signing at escrow
- Funding occurs
- Recording confirmed
- Keys delivered at 5:00 PM (no exceptions)
⚠️ NO Early Occupancy
Keys are NEVER delivered before 5:00 PM on the day of funding and recording. No early occupancy is permitted under any circumstances.
Post-Closing
- Warranty information activated
- New Home Reflections survey process begins
- Buyer receives closing gift/testimonial request
Rescission Process
⚠️ Critical Rescission Information
Rescissions must be handled through Cognito Forms backend. This process requires agent login and careful attention to workflow steps.
📋 When Rescission May Occur
- Buyer unable to secure financing
- Buyer did not submit earnest money (Section 5.2)
- Material defect or deficiency exists in construction
- Relationship deterioration between Seller and Buyer (Section 5.3)
- Mutual agreement to terminate
🔄 Rescission Workflow Steps
Start Rescission Process
- Agent must log into Cognito Forms backend
- Navigate to the PSA form entry
- Click "Start Rescission Process"
- Select which party is rescinding (Buyer or Seller)
- Answer if buyer has submitted earnest money
Send to Buyer's Agent (if applicable)
- System sends notification to buyer's agent
- Buyer's agent reviews rescission details
- Clicks to proceed to next step
Send to Buyers
- Primary buyer receives rescission notice
- Must review and sign electronically
- System tracks signature timestamp
Send to Secondary Buyer (if applicable)
- Secondary buyer reviews rescission
- Signs electronically
- Proceeds to final submission
Submit Rescission
- All signatures collected
- Rescission becomes official
- System notifies all parties
Rescind Contract - Final Step
- Seller (Anthony) must be logged in
- Reviews complete rescission package
- Signs off on rescission
- All parties receive final documentation
💰 Earnest Money Handling
- Default Rule: Earnest money is almost NEVER returned to buyer
- Section 5.0 DEFAULT: Earnest money divided 100% to Seller and 0% to Listing/Selling Broker
- If return required:
- Oregon: Seller issues check directly
- Washington: Escrow handles return
- Builder's Conditions (Section 5.3): Certain conditions allow builder to retain earnest money
📑 Key PSA Sections Referenced
- Section 5.0: Default provisions and earnest money distribution
- Section 5.1: Seller's default scenarios
- Section 5.2: Buyer's default (failure to submit earnest money)
- Section 5.3: Builder's conditions for retaining earnest money
- Section 5.4: Sole remedy provisions
- Section 5.5: Dispute resolution requirements
- Section 5.6: Quality and performance of construction
⚠️ Important Rescission Notes
- Rescission can only be initiated through Cognito Forms backend
- All parties must sign in sequence - no skipping steps
- Document all reasons for rescission clearly
- Earnest money disposition must follow PSA terms
- Process cannot be reversed once completed
- Legal counsel recommended for complex situations
📧 Final Notifications Sent
Upon completion, the system automatically notifies:
- All buyers (primary and secondary)
- Buyer's agent (if applicable)
- Seller's agent
- Escrow company
- Lender (if previously notified)
- All parties receive executed rescission agreement
Forms Library & System
🔄 Cognito Forms System Flow
All forms work together in an integrated system. Data flows between forms automatically.
Core Forms (In Order of Use)
1. Pre-Contract Forms
- Customer Intake Form - Required first step for all new transactions
- Lot Reservation Form - For pre-sales when buyer not ready to contract
- Employee ID Form - Tracks realtor information
2. Database Forms (Feed the PSA)
- Subdivisions Online - Subdivision data, utilities, CCRs, location
- Plans - All Neighborhoods - Available plans by subdivision
- Lots - All Neighborhoods - Plans per lot, base prices, premiums
- Master PSA Coupon Code - Concessions and special offers
3. Contract Forms
- Ambience Homes PSA - Main purchase agreement
- Addendum V2 - For changes after PSA execution
- Plot Map - Required for all sales
- Final Selections - Required before construction start
4. Process Forms
- Orientation Checklist Master - Completed at walkthrough
- Warranty Request Form - Post-closing issues
- New Home Reflections - Survey system
- Testimonial Gift Card Inventory - Tracking testimonials
⚠️ FHA/VA Forms Exception
FHA Amendatory Clause and other FHA/VA forms are handled via DocuSign, not Cognito Forms. Remember: FHA Amendatory only signed AFTER appraisal confirms value at/above sales price.
Quick Links & Resources
🔗 Essential Links
📅 Closing Calendar
Your primary resource for all transaction details!
Access at: ambiencehomes.com/closingcalendar
- Select any lot to view complete transaction details
- View buyer information and pricing
- Check estimated and actual closing dates
- Verify final selections status
- Confirm orientation scheduling
- Access plot maps, C of O, permits, and build documents
- Updated in real-time by operations team
🔧 Common Form URLs
All forms follow the pattern: ambiencehomes.com/[formname]
- Customer Intake: ambiencehomes.com/customerintake
- PSA: ambiencehomes.com/psa
- Addendum: ambiencehomes.com/addendum
- Orientation Checklist: ambiencehomes.com/orientationchecklist
- For complete list, visit the Master Form Locator
👥 Key Contacts
Transaction Support Hierarchy
- Lacey - Main Transaction Coordinator
- First contact for PSA questions
- 1+ year experience with system
- General transaction support
- Marie - Assistant Transaction Coordinator
- New position (subject to change)
- Supports Lacey with transactions
- Anthony - System Administrator
- Contact for form errors/system issues
- PSA acceptance authority
- Technical support when Lacey can't resolve
Troubleshooting & Best Practices
🚫 Top Agent Mistakes to Avoid
- Not getting documents done on time
- Solution: Use closing calendar to track deadlines
- Sending documents without descriptions
- Solution: Use AI to write clear, concise descriptions explaining what/why
- Missing HPA requirement (Oregon)
- Solution: $4,000 fine per transaction - ensure escrow completes at closing
- Scheduling orientation/inspection incorrectly
- Solution: Always check Master Schedule for correct timing
⚠️ Closing Delays - MOC Process
ANY closing delay requires an addendum (MOC - Modification of Contract)
- Use standard addendum form to extend closing date
- If buyer/lender fault: Daily fee charged per PSA terms
- If seller fault: No fees charged
- Get signed IMMEDIATELY when delay is known