Shopping for a new home can be fun and exciting, but it can also be stressful. There are so many different kinds of homes out there and each one has something unique and interesting to offer. If you’ve looked for a while and decided that your best bet is to a custom build, there are a few things that you’ll want to consider when you’re working with your builder on the design.
Thinking ahead about these things will help ensure that your home doesn’t fall short of your expectations – after all, if you’re going through this process, it’s because you want this house to be your dream home for years to come! That’s why today we’re talking about our top five things – the Five L’s – to think about when planning a custom build.
Location
With homes that are already built, there are a million things you have no control over. But one of the biggest ones is that the home simply is where it is. If there’s a perfect home already built out there, but it’s in the wrong location, then it might not be the right fit.
Whether you’re building or buying, one thing’s for sure – location matters. Living close to family and friends, being near great schools, having a good community of neighbors: whatever is most important to you, make sure you discuss it with your home builder to meet your needs.
Light
At the end of the day, light is one of the biggest things that can make or break a home. Having great access to natural light and building your home around it can make your dream a reality. For example, if your home has mountains on one side and woods on the other, you may want to have the rear of the house face the mountains – that way you can enjoy beautiful sunsets on the patio or by the pool. Or maybe you want the opposite and would prefer to have a sunroom where you can enjoy breakfast with the sunrise.
Regardless of your preference, one of the best ways to work lighting into your home plan is to visualize some of the little things that make your day perfect. Then you can work with your builder to incorporate those things into your custom build design.
Luxury
Whether you prefer rustic or modern, a luxury custom build can sport a wide variety of features depending on your preferences (and your budget). Maybe a country kitchen is on your wishlist, or maybe you prefer a big entertaining space that’s separate from your family and dining rooms.
If something seems luxurious to you, add it to your list of things to discuss with your builder – after all, this is YOUR home and you deserve to love every inch of it.
Layout
There are also certain conveniences that you can pick in your new home design that might make life easier or more enjoyable. Are you tired of hauling laundry up the stairs? Put the laundry room on the same level as the master bedroom. Tired of carrying groceries from the driveway to the kitchen? Add a carport right off the kitchen.
While you’re in the planning phase, don’t be sparing with your critiques of your current or past homes, and your dreams for the future. Whatever irks you or just doesn’t feel right about your current home, now’s your chance to eliminate frustration and enjoy everything that life has to offer.
Longevity
It can be so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of choices that a custom home has to offer that you might forget about some of the logistics. It’s important that you talk with your custom home builder about using top notch parts and materials in the guts of your house – your HVAC, electric and plumbing systems, etc. Getting it right now can prevent you from big headaches down the road, so make sure you plan (and budget) for the necessities as well as the fun stuff!
No matter what you decide when it comes to your new home, make sure it’s something you’re going to love. If you decide to go with a custom build, it’s because you want the perfect home for you – so take the time to really think about what’s important to you, what you want and need, and then talk to your home builder about making it a reality.