 | | |
 | Getting started building a custom home | |
|
 |
|
Building a custom home involves taking four important steps at the beginning
the process. You need to select the builder, lot, plans and financing.
The Builder
 The
first step is to decide on a builder. You can begin by interviewing several
builders who have been recommended to you by friends and associates who have
had a custom home built for them. Talk to builders' referrals and look at
their work. You must feel that your builder is someone you can be
comfortable with and someone you can place your faith in to build your home.
The Plot
By choosing your builder first, you get the benefit of his or her assistance
as you make decisions about the plot, the architect, and the financing. Have
the builder look at the plot you're considering to evaluate it and comment
on its appropriateness for your needs and desires. Builders can help inform
you about a plot's pluses and minuses. You certainly don't want to discover
any potential problems with the plot after it is too late. You don't want to
find that you have spent too much for the plot and haven't left enough
budget to build the type or size home you were planning.
The House Plans
Most architects are happy to include builders in the process of planning
your home. The design/build team of owner, builder, and architect allow all
three to comment during
the design process. Your builder can be extremely helpful to you as the
plans are being drawn, commenting on construction details and costs to help
keep the home within your budget parameters.The Financing
Now you have a builder, a plot, and architectural plans. Most buyers now
need a construction/permanent loan in order to finance their dream home. The
banks will reserve the right to approve the builder you choose. Many banks
offer extremely attractive loans that initially finance the plot and
construction and then convert automatically to a permanent loan. These
construction/permanent loans have made it very easy to finance a custom
home.
You CAN build your dream home. Start with a good builder and you can make
that dream a reality.
|
