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

There's no doubt about it: Purchasing a new home is one of the most exciting times in your life. If you haven't purchased a brand new home in many years (or have never purchased a home to be built just for you), there is much to consider, and much to learn. But the process doesn't have to be overwhelming – and it can be a real joy – if you take these few simple steps.
Do Your Homework Ask the builders you are considering what their procedures are. You will be surprised how much they vary from builder to builder. Some questions to ask…
1. How much of a deposit will hold the homesite you desire – and for how long?
2. When does the contract have to be signed, and how much money is due at signing?
3. How much time will you have between signing the contract and making your exterior and interior selections?
4. How many appointments (and how much time) will you be given to make your selections?
5. When are selections considered final (and no further changes will be considered)?
6. How much of the options and upgrades must be paid in advance?
7. Will the builder entertain custom changes to the home's design and layout – moving walls and doorways, adding or deleting windows, substituting a bay window for a plain window, installing products not available on the options list (KitchenAid rather than GE appliances, Andersen windows rather than another brand, etc.)?
8. Is there an advantage to you for using the builder's preferred lender – perhaps a discount on options or cash toward settlement?
Decide in advance what questions must be answered with a resounding "Yes!" If you absolutely cannot live without a 40" Viking range, you'll want to know that your builder will price a customized kitchen layout with a Viking range for you, if he doesn't offer a home that includes one. (That goes for anything else not listed on the standard features or options lists.) Earlier is better than later – so don't wait until you're in contract and sitting down to make your selections with the Design Center Coordinator before mentioning it, as it will probably be too late. Only you can avoid the disappointment that comes from not asking a question until it's too late.
Prioritize It's a rare occasion when we can "have it all." Most of the time, we have to compromise on certain things. So it is with building a new home. Whether it's your budget, the design or layout of the house itself, or the builder's offerings that are limiting what you can have in your new home, list your "must haves" and your "nice to haves" in separate columns on a sheet of paper. Having it in black and white helps you to clarify your true priorities, in case you're forced to make a choice. (A double wall oven and cooktop, or a kitchen island? An expanded walk-in closet, or a more luxurious master bath?)
Organize Your Thoughts Use an accordion file folder to collect…
1. Photos of favorite furniture pieces, window treatments you're bringing with you to the new home, and features of your current home (built-ins, architectural features, window groupings and/or placements, etc.) that you'd like to repeat in your new home.
2. Magazine clippings of home exteriors that appeal to you, as well as interior decorator touches you'd like to replicate in your new home
3. Measurements – length, depth, and height – of furniture you're planning to bring with you (particularly oversized pieces that require lots of wall space, but don't forget that baker's rack from your kitchen or the desk and hutch in your home office, which also may have trouble fitting into your new space)
4. Paint chips and fabric swatches that represent your sense of style and favorite décor colors
Having these things handy will help keep you focused not only while making your interior selections but, perhaps more importantly, as you're choosing the home design itself.
Come Prepared When making your interior selections, don't forget…
1. The file folder you started (above)!
2. To bring sofa cushions, bath towels, pillow sham, placemats, a dinner plate, etc. – the better to choose the cabinets, countertops, and flooring for your new home.
The Right Frame of Mind Most importantly, approach every encounter with your builder and his representatives in the right frame of mind. This can and should be one of the most enjoyable times of your life, but remember that people build homes and people buy homes – and allow for the fact that wherever humans are involved, there is no such thing as 100 percent perfect!
Try to keep a positive mental attitude, particularly when something goes wrong. In the end, your home will almost undoubtedly be everything you want it to be and you will enjoy many happy years there. From long experience in the industry (and having built two homes of my own), I can assure you that the fact that the carpet color you had chosen was discontinued and you had to "settle" for your second choice, or that the French doors were not framed in until you reminded the builder during your framing inspection that you had purchased that option, will not affect the integrity of the home or your enjoyment of it one bit after you move in. Try not to let small issues take away from the joy you should be experiencing as you enter this exciting next chapter of your life.