Building a Home | build a home | how to build a house

Many investors are getting into the real estate market. You may also want to get into this area for your own home or for a future investment. You may want to build your home or investment from the ground up with the intention of selling it for a profit in the future. With this in mind, you will want to consider which options and upgrades to install to maximize your return on your dollar in the future.
First, if you will be living in the home, you will need to keep a few things in mind. If you will be living in the home for a period of time before selling, the carpet and paint will need to be redone. Hence, you will not receive a return on investment for putting in premium carpet and using better paints. You will want to keep your dollars focused in other areas to maximize your returns.
Now, you will want to talk with your realtor and possibly your builder when deciding your upgrades. Different areas in the country will have different standards. For instance, almost nobody has a basement in Arizona, while basements are a standard feature in Utah. Styles and tastes change too, so a realtor and home builder will understand the current trends and market and will be able to guide you in your specific area.
Probably the most important feature you consider will be square footage of the home. Fifty years ago, homes were a lot smaller, but Americans are demanding larger and larger homes. When you bought your last home, the first feature you looked at was either square footage or beds and bath numbers. Hence, you will want to maximize the amount of house you can get for your dollar. Be careful that you do not go too far above the average house size though, because you will be cutting down the percentage of possible buyers the higher you go. If a person can afford a high end home then they also have particular tastes and they may not coincide with yours.
The kitchen will be the room that often makes or breaks a sale. This is because so much happens for the family in the kitchen. It is the room that more family time is spent than any other room on average. Hence, it needs to be large and nice. You should consider putting in nice cupboards and marble or an equivalent for the countertops. These should only be a few thousand to upgrade, but can add a lot more to the resale value. Also, consider upgrading the kitchen floor. Light fixtures in the kitchen may also be worth your time upgrading
You should also consider the bathrooms in the house, especially the master bath. How much time do you spend during the day in the bathroom versus some of the other rooms in your house? A large walk-in closet is a necessity now instead of something nice to have.
A third garage is becoming more common place now too. Many communities don't like to have sheds and mini-barns in the backyard so their HOA's don't allow them. A third garage space may be needed to store all of the yard equipment and toys you like to have. Also, a third garage may be difficult to get because it requires a larger lot size. Hence, the house with a third garage will most likely be easier to sell and get your money out of.
Landscaping is a must. It need not be extravagant, but nobody wants to move into a house and have a huge job ahead of them to begin with. If you plant trees, they will grow and add value to the house over time.
Lastly, much of the upgrades come standard now. Builders have had to compete for buyers and many of the upgrades have become standard. Don't upgrade unless you need to. You can often get the same value for the home with the standard items as the people that have put in all the upgrades.