Blog

What are my wants?
(3/5/10)

Now the fun part. What are my wants?

Home theater?
Granite counter tops?
Whirlpool tub?
Walk-in closets?
Network?
Vaulted ceilings?
Fireplace?

They sky is the limit today with so many choices out there.

We will work with you to balance your budget with your wants. We will help you design a home that is both practical and uniquely your own.

What are my needs?
(3/4/10)

Now that we have a budget and a lot to build on, we can start designing a home that meets your needs.

How many bedrooms will I need?
How many bathrooms will I need?
What type of water/sewer system do I need?
Do I need a garage?
Do I need a full basement?
Do I need a 1st floor laundry?
Do I need accessibility?
Do I need a home office?
Sometimes deed restrictions will come into play.

Needs always come first in design.

Where do I want to live?
(3/3/10)

Now that you know what you want to spend on your lot and home, you need to decide where you want to live. If you already own the property then it is time to look at designs. If not then there are a few important things to look at:

First and foremost is of course location.

Next you need to know:
Is it the school district you want?
What is the local tax rate?
What utilities are available? (cable, phone, electric, gas, etc..)
Will it require a well, or is public water available?
How about sewer?
If it requires on site sewer, what type of system is it perked for?
Are there wetlands on or near the property?
Are there any easements, deed restrictions, or local ordinances?
Are there any annual/monthly fees?
Are there any unique features to the property?

The question about the perk test is in bold because it is one of the most common yet less visible items that can cause vacant land to vary in value. Depending on the perk your septic system can run from $3,000 to upwards of $9,000 or more. A cheaper lot isn't always a better value.

We would be  happy to meet with you to look at a property you are interested in buying.

How much do I want to spend?
(3/2/10)

This is the first and most important question you have to consider when deciding where to start. It will help shape everything else.

We strongly recommend looking into your financing options before taking any other steps. Whoever you choose to work with can help you decide how to budget for your project. And can help you  with any programs and tax issues.

Once you know what your budget is you can then decide how much of that budget to spend on land, on the building, furnishings, rent (if needed), moving costs, and how much to set aside for upgrades.

This will help guide us through one of the most fun and exciting parts of building a new home: The design/blueprint stage.

Where do I start?
(3/1/10)

A strong plan is just as important as a strong foundation. To help with that plan we need to know a few things:

How much do I want to spend?
Where do I want to live?
What are my needs?
What are my wants?

We will focus on each of these separately.