Are you ready to build your dream home? Is this the year that you will begin the search for your perfect house plan? You have probably done all of your research, and feel like you know exactly what type of plan you are looking for. Does this sound like you? If so, finding your future home can be one of the most exciting times of your life. Whether you are a seasoned builder or a first time homeowner, these tips will be sure to give you something to think about.
1. Budget
Your budget should realistically be the first thing that you understand when deciding to build a home. Before anything else, you should do is ask your builder what the cost per square foot is in your county. This will help you determine whether a house plan is within your budget or not. Another thing to factor in is the cost of upgrades to the home you decide to build. How much will those upgrades be? Will you need there to be any additional changes? Take some time to have this discussion with your builder. Once you have your budget solid and on paper, the search for your dream home can begin.
2. The Lot Size
Although this may seem like an evident factor to consider, lot sizes are often overlooked. Many times, buyers will find their ideal home plan first, only to be disappointed when they find out that it is too large for their chosen lot. One way to avoid this is to have your builder tell you the parameters that you need to stay within. Be sure to keep note of the maximum width and depth when conducting your search.
3. How Many Stories
Have you thought about how many levels you want your dream home to have? This choice comes down to your lifestyle and how you see yourself growing into your new space. Would you prefer the master to be on the main level, while the children are roomed upstairs? A two-story allows for twice the square footage as well as a certain amount of privacy from the rest of the home. Or perhaps a ranch-style home makes more sense for your family, and you prefer everyone to be on the same level without a staircase in between. This is definitely something to consider during your search.
4. Open Floor Plan or Split Level
An open floor plan is becoming increasingly more popular in house plans across the country. The most common option is a great room that includes the kitchen, living room and even a dining space all in one shared space. This option is fantastic for home owners that enjoy entertaining, or homes with less square footage. A split level generally has the bedrooms on the upper floor along with the kitchen and living room. The bottom floor will usually be where the laundry room, a large living space and garage are found. This option is typically chosen by homeowners that want a lot of square footage, as they make full use of the space available.
5. Location, Location, Location
Where you decide to build your home is probably one of the most important pieces to this puzzle. Have you really thought about it? Is your dream home placed beside a lake, in the country or perhaps in a bustling suburb? Is there an active homeowner association that you will need to work with? If so, will the floor plan you choose fit in with the style of the other homes in the neighborhood and fit all of the HOA requirements? There are many factors to consider when choosing your location.
If you have factored in all of these tips and still have not found your perfect floor plan, consider the idea of customizing! We have more than 1,000 stock house plans in our inventory for you to choose from. However, if you decide that you want to modify a plan, our modification department is ready to make any changes that you may need. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create your dream home!