Finally deciding on having a home built for you is a big commitment and one of the most significant decisions you will make in your lifetime. However, building a house is not a walk in the park as it comes with making choices that are a vital prerequisite to future decisions.
To help make your memory of having a new home pleasurable, here are a few things to focus on before you start choosing a curtain for your living room window.
- Crunch the numbers.
First things first, do the math. How much can you afford? Between your salary from your first and second jobs and your lifestyle, how much can you set aside for your new expenses? Do you need to get financial assistance from the bank? If so, go straight to the bank and gather up those requirements. But do not rush into choosing the first bank that offers that loan. You have the interest and payment schemes to consider as well.
- How do you see yourself five years from now?
Before you scratch your head thinking this came out from an interview manual, consider this. If you are not yet married but are in a relationship, your choice of floor plans might be different than if you are single or vice versa. Instead of envisioning a family room for when you have kids, you might choose a walk-in closet for you instead. Think about your future self’s needs before you decide that you need a bar in your home. Examine and understand your lifestyle and include them in making decisions.
- Consider where to build your house.
Where is one of the major questions you need to decide on before everything takes shape. Do you want a home near the city or the office where you work at? Or do you want a longer commute but within a gated community which is more peaceful at night?
But, you might want to slow down on handing out that money for your lot until you have a building inspection to know what you will be up against come construction time. Keep in mind there are the restrictions and permits a city or state might require.
- Bring in the A-Team.
To avoid making your dream home a complete nightmare, you must choose the best team of builders who you will work with. Meet with a couple of them before deciding who. You might also want to check on their finished projects and research on their credibility as builders. Today’s market is very competitive, and we wouldn’t want our expectation to fail just because we fell for the “CHEAPEST yet BEST BUILDER in TOWN” slogan.
- Expect road bumps.
No matter how well planned you are, unexpected things are bound to happen. So brace yourself, act rationally and think maturely. You are building your dream home; do not make decisions in the heat of the moment. One wrong decision can cause you money, precious time, and peace of mind.
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