Building a Home

  Triangle home buyers will be pleased with the many options they find when deciding where they want to live and with whom they want to build. The region’s variety of builders and diversity of home sites offer home styles and upgrades for everyone. Ultimately, buyers will have a choice of going custom or buying a “spec” home. Knowing what you want before you start building will allow you and your builder more time in the details of your new home.

These days a custom home is no-longer within reach of only the very wealthy. Customization can mean anything from individually made, one of a kind up fits or just simply combining one or more plans together. Up grading from a standard builders product to the one of your choice, color style etc… So the question is should I choose a custom home builder or a production or “spec” homebuilder.

The answer: It depends. It depends on whether you want to choose a plan or work with a builder on designing one of your own, from interior to the exterior.

Custom (vs.) Spec. How do you come to a decision?  Ask yourself these questions:

Do you have land already? Is having a unique home that important? If any of these answers are yes, then you might want to consider a “Custom builder”. A good contractor or builder will help you stay within your budget. Custom builders work with you to create a home specific to your needs. Interview several before just picking one, check around for references. Once a builder is chosen, it is a good idea to bring any plans you might have to the table to use for ideas or as a guide to help build your house. Your builder might have to make modifications as necessary. Remember to stay focused on the fundamentals. Once the plan is agreed upon all the finishes must be ironed out as well.

Always remember to discuss warranty issues before you sign a contract. And be sure you choose the right contract for what you need. Beware of what gets paid upfront and at what stages you should expect to pay any other out of pocket expenses. You want to be sure of as many details as possible before you begin.

Working with a “spec” builder is a little different. The only difference is that you will be working with them to agree on a floor plan already designed, He or she may already have a lot picked out or not.  Bear in mind any changes must be done early to accommodate the builder as to your custom changes to the already designed home.

One advantage of using a production builder is buying a pre-existing, or market, home. These homes are already built, and have never been occupied, and can include: single family homes, condo’s, townhouses. With repetition these homes can be constructed fairly quick, if most of the materials are pre-fabricated, which help keep costs down. As with any builder you choose just make sure you understand the warranty issues and contract terms.

Most builders whether custom or production have their own signatures. Signatures such as their special features, or decorating touches.

In the Triangle, many popular interior trends seem to be media rooms, home theater rooms, gourmet kitchens, bonus rooms. On the outside: low maintenance exteriors, fiber-cement boards, vinyl siding, and Brick are the most popular and in high demand.

If buying a spec home see other neighbors and ask questions to see if they were happy.

A useful resource before building or buying a home is: Home Builders Association of Raleigh and Wake County, The Builders Association of Durham and Orange Counties, these organizations can give you a heads up in your search.

 

Licensed Realtor in Wake, Chatham Orange, Johnston, Alamance, Lee, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Vance, Warren, including Raleigh, Durham. Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Pittsboro, Siler City, Moncure, New Hill, Goldston, Sanford, Chapel Hill. Servicing residential homes, raw land, new homes, sub-divisions, commercial land, & business buildings, flex office warehouse, office condos, Investment properties, 1031 Tax exchanges, foreclosures, river property, waterfront property, equestrian property, horse farms, builder, spec homes, townhomes, business condo units, golf course communities.

  

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