knowledge

The 5 First Steps You Need to Know When Building a Custom Home

Building your custom home is an exciting endeavor, but with all the factors that go into making your home dreams a reality, it can quickly feel overwhelming. There is a lot to consider – from the location to the finishing touches. Before you dive into building a custom home, here are the first steps you should take.

KNOW YOUR MUST-HAVES

The best place to start with a custom home build is to determine what you absolutely need out of your home. For most people, the location is one of the main factors, but have you also thought of what style of home is right for you? If you’re planning to stay well into your golden years, you may want to consider the ease of accessibility in the floor plan. Another important factor is knowing how much space you need (for necessities like bedrooms, or a dedicated office) and how much space you want (for life-long desires like a master suite). Knowing your must-haves will help you find the homebuilder that fits your vision.

FIND YOUR PERFECT LOCATION

The old adage of “location, location, location” still rings true for homeowners, and there is plenty to consider. What is your ideal view? Airy and open farmland, lush forest, perfectly manicured landscaping, or city views?

And what is the ultimate lifestyle you desire? Knowing if you love being close to restaurants and shops, or if you want complete privacy in your new home will ultimately help you choose between looking at lots in a rural or urban location.

HIRE THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Building your own home is one of the largest, if not the largest, decisions you’ll ever make, so you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable with your team – you’ll be seeing a lot of them through the entire home building process!

To hire the right people for building your custom home, be sure to ask the questions that are most important to you. You’ll want to see how the builder has handled the same situation with previous clients. Of course, you don’t just have to take their word for it – ask for references from the last few projects they’ve worked on. It will give you an accurate view of how the builder currently operates, and what the experience with the home builder was truly like.  

SECURE FINANCING

The financing process is slightly different for a custom home build than it is for an existing home. There’s more to consider beyond the basic structure of the home including the lot, building insurance, and mortgage. In the case of building your home, typically you’ll get a progress draw mortgage, which is designed to finance the cost at various stages of construction. Be sure to find a reputable lender that specializes in custom home builds and will help you fully understand the process.

DEVELOP A PLAN

The construction process goes much more smoothly if you have a solid plan of what you want in your home before your house is even staked out. Once building starts, it’s much more difficult to make changes. Luckily, you have the architect to provide their expertise on the blueprint, and the builder by your side to help you along the way. Once your plan is in place on paper, review and then review some more before construction begins.

Remember, it’s a process! When your home is being built, it’s sometimes hard to remember what the final product will be. Trust in the planning, and you’ll have the dream home you envisioned.