If you’ve never built a new home, the prospect of building one can seem daunting and full of many unknowns. However, it’s also a big adventure to embark upon and requires much thought and preparation. If you’re hoping for the home of your dreams, there are a few things to consider before beginning the journey.
Decide what kind of new home you want to buy
Do you want to move into a new home this month? Or are you looking to build a home based on your specific needs? For the former, you’ll want to look for a “spec” or “inventory” home. These residences offer you all the benefits of living in a new home, but the initial design and building processes have already been determined for you. For a custom home, you could hire an architect or building designer to help you design your home and draw the plans, then contact several different builders to bid on the construction. You might also be able to order a set of house plans online, and hire a residential designer to customize a few details. Make sure they comply with your local building codes. Another approach would be to find a builder willing to build his floor plan on your lot, or look for a Design/Build contractor to do the whole project from design through to construction.
Ready to start your real estate journey?
Partner with Barbara Wilson and her team of top real estate agents in Northeast Ohio!
Select a Lot
Choosing a home site is as much a matter of personal preference as is choosing an architectural style or a floor plan. A nature lover might be captivated by a sloping lot with a boggy pond that would be unsuitable for a family with small children. A homeowner with limited mobility might want an absolutely flat property, while a family with teenagers may just need enough flat space for a basketball net. As with any decision about building your new home, there are a few things to consider:
✓ Do you want to live close to your work, good schools, restaurants or shopping?
✓ Is the area served by public utilities or will you need to have a well drilled?
✓ What kind of restrictions does the neighborhood have in terms of architecture?
✓ Will your plans need to be reviewed by a committee first?
Within many communities, you can choose the location of your lot. The community may also include clubhouses, pools, golf courses, sports activity centers and other amenities, so you’ll want to be sure to get information on the entire community, as well as the proximity of the available lots to these amenities. Typically, lots located close to such attractions as golf courses, clubhouses or lakes maintain a higher re-sale value.
The Topography of a Lot
A sloped lot offers the possibility of walkout lower levels, interesting decking and lovely views. Nature lovers often find great appeal in a living room deck at treetop level. Homes built on lots sloping to the back often appear quite small from the street, offering a delightful surprise as visitors come upon living spaces that expand to the rear and lower levels of the home. Lots sloping to the front offer an impressive setting for a house. Flat lots are often the choice for growing families who want space to accommodate basketball courts, skateboarding and soccer nets. A retiree might prefer a flat home site with no stairs between the garage and house. Special features such as a swimming pool, stable and paddock, or tennis court require large, flat, well-drained areas and must meet specific zoning requirements.
Select your Floor Plan and Options
The floor plan, or how the rooms are arranged, is the most important aspect of the livability of a house. Insulation or central air or another bathroom can always be added, but if the basic floor plan doesn’t meet your needs, you won’t enjoy the house as much as you should. Here’s a checklist to help remember what to consider when evaluating a floor plan.
The overall floor plan:
✓ Are the living and sleeping areas separate and clearly defined?
✓ Can someone move from one room to another without moving through the middle of any room?
✓ Is the kitchen adjacent to the dining room and other rooms in which meals might be served?
✓ Is there direct access to the kitchen from the garage or back door?
✓ Is there sufficient wall space for large pieces of furniture, such as beds, dressers, china closet, and seating
Lifestyle
✓ Do you want the master bedroom on the first floor or second floor?
✓ Does the floor plan lend itself to the kind of entertaining you prefer?
✓ Is the dining room large enough for holiday celebrations or dinner parties?
✓ Is the powder room convenient for guests and children coming in and out?
✓ Are the laundry facilities conveniently located?
✓ Can children’s activities be supervised from the kitchen?
✓ Do you want a separate bedroom/bath suite for a nanny, aging parent or older child?
✓ Is the kitchen large enough for everyone’s needs?
✓ Is the kitchen laid out so work can be done efficiently?
Storage
Every household has a good deal of stuff that needs to be stored. Is there a place to put:
✓ Towels and sheets and other upstairs items
✓ Vacuum cleaner and cleaning supplies
✓ Out of season clothes
✓ Books
✓ Canned goods and dry food products
✓ Sports equipment such as bicycles, skateboards, golf clubs, athletic headgear
✓ Household tools such as a hammer, electric drill, screws and nails.
✓ Garden tools and hoses
✓ Outside furniture and toys
Let's Find your Dream Home!
Partner with Barbara Wilson and her team of top real estate agents in Northeast Ohio!