Are you ready to turn your dream home into a reality? Before you start construction, there are key factors you must consider to ensure a seamless building experience. Whether you’re a first-time home builder or have experience in the realm of construction, these 5 essential tips will provide you with the insight you need to get you going in the right direction.
1 – Location: Why It Matters
Your dream home starts with the perfect location. Consider factors such as community and lifestyle fit, proximity to amenities, HOA fees, subdivision rules and restrictions, property tax rates, safety and security, and work commute. Being aware of this information will ensure you’re able to build your home with the characteristics and size you want and help you avoid unforeseen expenses and difficulties.
2 – Financing: Understanding Your Financial Capacity
Getting pre-approved by a lender will provide you with the supporting documentation to establish your budget and allow you to determine with confidence how big a home you can build. Get started on this process early on so in case there’s anything you need to work on, you have the time to do so to ensure you get the best rate you can. Also, having a pre-approval letter will demonstrate to builders your serious intent and financial readiness to proceed to the next step.
3 – Determine Your Priorities
Before you begin working on a floor plan or talk to a builder, work to understand and define what your priorities are for your new home. Are you building for your current needs, or do you have the budget to include your future ones as well? If so, what are they? What is more important to you, price or quality? Are you looking to save money now or in the long run? What do you prefer: functionality or looks? Answering these simple, yet complex, questions will give you the confidence you need to make decisions as you go through the floor plan design process.
4 – Floor Plan Design: Your Vision Come to Life
When building a custom home, floor plans are typically done by the builder and included in their total build price. However, you also have the option of going directly with a drafter or architect and designing it yourself. When doing it yourself, you gain the advantage of being able to present a complete set of plans to multiple builders for more accurate bids and be able to compare final pricing. However, if you or the designer are not aware of material pricing and/or requirements, you can end up with unforeseen costs that can price you out of your budget. On the other end, a builder will typically make you aware of the cost of your design choices as you’re going through the process, but you won’t be able to take the complete set of plans to get a bid from someone else. Either way, choose wisely to ensure your floor plan aligns with both your vision and financial goals.
5 – Builder – Choose Your Partner Wisely
South Texas has plenty of builders to choose from, but choosing the right one is crucial. Research their portfolio, talk to previous clients, visit current projects and assess their craftsmanship and attention to details. Schedule face-to-face meetings to gauge their understanding of your vision and the level of trust you feel. Determine their ability to maintain project timelines and effectively communicate. It’s a partnership built on trust, expertise, and a shared commitment to building your perfect home, so take your time.
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Taking these 5 tips under consideration will give you the confidence you need to make the right decisions throughout the home building process. Take your time but do the work now and get prepared so you can have a great experience later as you begin the design and construction of your dream home. Still unsure on how to proceed? Give us a call. We’ll be happy to assist you and answer your questions.