A First Timer’s Guide of building your Dream Home

april051920
Sep 6, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Apr 3, 2023

It is possible for a buyer to find their dream home by browsing listings and attending open houses until the right property appears on the market. Many people take matters into their own hands by hiring builders to construct their homes from the ground up. Choosing this route has its advantages, such as the ability to customize your living space and have a say in every detail. However, there are also drawbacks. Here are some things you should know.

1. You'll need to buy land

It's not possible to build a new home just anywhere. You'll need to purchase a parcel of land that's zoned for the type of construction you wish to do. Your real estate agent may be able to help you find land to purchase, or you can search online by area or zip code. Generally, you'll need a permit before construction on your home can begin, so contact your local zoning authority to find out what it entails once you have your land. Usually, though, the builder you hire will handle the permits for you.

2. You'll need a home construction loan

A mortgage can be used to finance the purchase of an existing home. You will need a construction loan to not only purchase the land on which your home will sit, but also cover the building process. Either you can take out a construction loan that converts to a traditional mortgage once your house is built, or you can take out a construction loan that you must repay once your house is built. It is usually a more suitable and affordable option for the average buyer.

3. You'll need to find the right builder

Spending the money to build a house from scratch shouldn't be left to just anyone. If you want to turn your dream into a reality, you'll need a builder with a solid reputation and history of success -- ideally, one with a list of professional connections, including an architect, landscape architect, and other professionals. To get a sense of the quality of construction, you should not only ask each builder you talk to for references but also see some of their completed homes for yourself.

4. You'll need to create a budget you're comfortable with

The cost of building a home can vary widely depending on the specifics involved. You'll need to sit down with your builder and team to come up with a budget that works for you before you get too involved in the process. Your budget will be incorporated into the contract you sign. It's common practice to include an overage clause in your contract when building a home from scratch so your builder can spend a certain percentage more than the agreed-upon amount to finish the job. The percentage is often 10%, but it can vary.

5. You'll need to be flexible

You might imagine that building a new home isn't an easy task, and delays and hiccups are common. Your builder might fall behind schedule due to weather issues, and permit approvals and inspections might take longer than expected. (Be aware that when you're building a house, you'll need to undergo inspections at various stages. For instance, you'll normally need a rough electrical inspection, followed by a final electrical inspection.)

As well, issues with obtaining supplies could prolong the construction process. If, for example, you have your heart set on a certain countertop stone, and it becomes available two weeks later than expected, that could set you back. You should be flexible and have a backup living arrangement in case your home takes much longer than expected to become inhabitable.

It's not for the faint of heart to build a home. Your costs may be higher than expected, there may be lengthy delays, and you may end up finding the process of customizing your space stressful. However, the upside is that when all is said and done, you'll have a unique home that's all yours to enjoy, and now that you know what to expect during the construction process, you'll be better prepared to deal with any setbacks that arise.

Unfair Advantages:

Real estate has long been a playground for the wealthy and well-connected, and according to recent data, it has also been one of the best-performing investments in modern history. With a set of unfair advantages that are completely unheard of with other investments, it isn't surprising.

However, those barriers have come crashing down - and now it's possible to build REAL wealth through real estate at a fraction of what it used to cost. Now you can take advantage of the unfair advantages.

To get started, contact APD Roofing so we can plan out everything your heart desires.

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