You’re ready to build, now what?!
I totally understand how exciting and overwhelming this stage can be. Building your dream home is a huge investment—one that you’ve been dreaming about, gathering inspiration for, and discussing during weekend drives through your favorite neighborhoods. You want everything to be perfect, and I’m here to help make sure it is!
When it comes to building a new home, it’s crucial to start off on the right foot. No matter how far along you are in the process, these three essential steps will set you up for success: Budget, Builder, and Location.
Step 1: Establish Your Budget
Before anything else, you need to know your budget. It will guide every decision you make moving forward. While this might seem like the least glamorous part of the process, getting clear on your finances is the foundation of your dream home.
Start by looking at your current finances and getting pre-approved for a loan so you know exactly what you’re working with. Once you know your budget, allocate it to different aspects of the home—building costs, materials, and even those higher-end finishes you’ve been eyeing. Don’t forget to factor in things like landscaping, permits, and any unexpected expenses.
Having a clear budget helps you make informed decisions and allows you to focus on your priorities without going overboard.
Step 2: Find the Right Builder
Choosing the right builder is absolutely essential. This person (or team) will be your partner throughout the entire building process, so it’s important to find someone you can trust. Do your research—ask for referrals, read reviews, and meet with potential builders to make sure you feel comfortable with them.
A good builder will listen to your vision, answer your questions, and be transparent about the process and costs. They’ll also have the experience and expertise to help you navigate the complexities of building a custom home. Don’t be afraid to ask for examples of their previous work and talk to their past customers.
Step 3: Pick Your Location
You want to determine where you will build before you determine what you will build. The topography of your land will dictate the style of home that is best suited for that location. Invite your architect in on these beginning stages as you are looking at locations to make sure what you want is possible and cost efficient. For example, if you are wanting to have a walk-out basement, you will want to build on a slope, but a ranch-style home would need flat land.
Also, knowing if you will be building on developed or undeveloped land can have a big impact on your overall budget. Developed land may have strict guidelines on the overall appearance of your home while undeveloped land will have additional costs for running utilities, clearing trees. etc.
For more guidance on these first three steps, download our free ebook!
