It's finally time! You’re going to begin building a home, and you’ve thought it all through – or so you’ve thought. While most future homeowners fantasize about decorating, we want to make sure you consider the true reality of building a home. To guarantee a smooth home-building process, check out our four tips and never feel overwhelmed.
Know Your Budget
Poor budgeting and planning can lead you to spend more than you intended and cause you to have a monthly house payment that will stretch your wallet (and your patience). We've seen it happen plenty of times before, so we want you to determine whether you can afford to build the home the way you want.
Most local home builders will offer an online tool that can give you a more accurate estimate of construction costs depending on where you're building a home. Alternatively, you can schedule a design meeting with the builders. They will provide an estimate that fits the type of house you want.
This will give you a good idea of whether you should move along in the building process or pull back extra home designs where you can. The glamour of final touches and paint should be budgeted after you have accounted for the more important parts of home construction.
Talk Money >> Tips on Home Construction Loans
Hidden costs may not have been fully considered in a plan. These can include things like the cost of new appliances for the home, landscaping for the outdoor spaces, and the number of stories your new home has. To account for hidden costs like that, it can be better to choose from pre-designed floor plans to get a better idea of the real cost.
Choose Your Floor Plan
Regarding your home's floor plan, try to be realistic when putting a twist on your design work. One big mistake that we often see is homeowners creating a whimsical idea of what they want their house to look like in their heads while forgetting to realize how their lifestyles may change their whimsical desires over the years to come.
Figure out a plan that fits your family lifestyle, and weigh the pros and cons of different home layouts. Have you considered whether you want your laundry room upstairs or if it would be better next to your kitchen? Did you know that placing the master bedroom on the first floor is an important asset for selling your home in the future? If you don't think this home is your last stay, putting the master bedroom downstairs will make your home easier to sell later on.
Get Designing >> View the Floor Plans
With that in mind, it's best to consider how long you plan on living in this home. If it's a custom home that's built for you and your lifestyle, then it's likely that this home will be lived in for years to come. If that's the case, future-proofing your home is best to avoid needing lots of modifications later on. If you are a younger family that's planning on having kids, a bonus room could be an excellent addition to your home's floor plan. If you're an older family that plans on retiring, then having a home that is more accessible could be a better choice.
Trends are also important to consider when building a home. You may feel the desire to keep up with the Joneses and keep your home looking trendy and relevant. But it's best to build a home with design styles and choices that you love. Read through our most recent blog on interior design trends of 2024 and see what speaks to you. This, ultimately, is your home.
Get Inspired >> Interior Design Trends of 2024
Research Your Builder
There are more than likely plenty of contractors in your area. However, how many of those contractors are worth your money? Be sure you've done your research to find out which builders have the best reputation in your area. You can search for information online or get recommendations from your family and friends to find out whether a builder is respected for doing quality work and if they get work completed by deadlines (weather permitting).
You need to be comfortable with your contractor and their team. If you question whether they have the right experience to build your new home, they probably don't. Note that you need to sit down with your contractor and tell them your specific needs. They can't do their job up to par unless you tell them the ins and outs of what you want.
Find Your Builder >> What Should I Look For in a Custom Home Builder?
Explore The Area
Whether your site is in a neighborhood or in a rural area, make sure the location fits you. You might want a house out in the country, but make sure you're okay with driving half an hour or more to get to basic amenities like grocery stores and doctor offices. It's best to accept reality when dreaming of the perfect home and what may come with it.
More importantly, you want to check into the land on which your house will be situated. Make sure you have enough space to build not only your home but your garage, shed, carport, playhouse, or garden area. You also need to check into any codes or laws that may affect what you can build in the area. Lots of people don't know, but you can't install a pool just anywhere. Make sure you take questions and concerns like that into consideration when building a home.
Let's Investigate >> Do Your Neighborhood Research
Contact Vista Developers
Ready to take the first step toward your dream home? At Vista Developers, we're here to answer your questions, provide guidance, and make your custom home a reality. Look through our 2024 floor plans brochure below to get inspired. Or, give us a call at (866) 519-2400 or contact us here. Let's get building!
