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Building a house from scratch while remaining under the budget - the 2018 survival guide

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Representative

In case you plan on building a house from scratch, you probably already know that this is going to be a bumpy journey, full of unexpected situations and decisions to make. Of course, this shouldn’t let you down considering that all the qualitative things in life require some effort and time, not to mention that building a house is no small event. What’s even more important about building a house is related to the budget. Buying a house nowadays can be twice as expensive compared to what you had in mind.

During the past few years, people started to opt for smart homes that are technologized to the extent you no longer have to do anything at all. The problem with these houses is that a normal person who works eight hours a day cannot afford at the right moment. The good news is that you can decide to build your own home from scratch, remaining on a budget you previously set. You would be amazed to find out that you can transform a regular home into a smart one without investing as much as you believe. Trends come and go, but you should stick to what’s best for you. Technology can lessen your life for sure, but in case you don’t feel happy being entirely surrounded by it, then selecting traditional instead of modern is not an issue at all. In fact, that’s the beauty of building a house from scratch – you get to decide what’s happening through the whole process. Yet the obstacle still stands – how will you remain under the budget? Follow these tips and the outcome is going to amaze you.

Credits and bankers

The first thing that needs to be brought to light is getting a credit that has 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The goal is not to spend more than you own at the moment. Building a house can be overwhelming in terms of spending because you might get tempted to drift away from your initial plan. This is a big mistake that has to be avoided at all costs. Sticking to the budget may be difficult, but it’s always the right choice. If your financial situation doesn’t allow you to complete the project, getting the right loan or obtaining the appropriate credit card is a must. You need to remember at all times to stick with 0% APR. Otherwise, you’ll pay more money at the end of the year. To calculate all of your payments and costs, make good use of the information you can find online related to APR and credits in general.

Choosing a trustworthy bank and – implicitly – a good banker will solve many of your problems. An appropriate banker is the one who can give you various pieces of advice related to how the entire financial plan is going to function next and so on. Having someone you can trust to tell you what’s the following step can help you tremendously in this journey. Take your time to compare banks, services and people you encounter. Never stick with your very first option. Your whole future and investment are in the game, so pay attention to all the details you can notice.

The architect

The difference between buying a house and building one is that you have to properly choose each element of it. The stepping stone of building a house is represented by the architect you select. You surely have a vision or a specific idea that you’d like to hold on to. Building your dream house is dependent on the architect’s capability to bring your ideas to life. Leafing through home books and gathering inspiration is recommended but try to be as unique as possible. After all, the main reason why you build a house instead of buying one is to obtain the outcome you couldn’t find on the market. Discuss with your architect, hear what he has to say and state your opinion. Communication and collaboration are essential for obtaining that perfect result you are striving for.

The builders

The following step is choosing your building team. It’s going to take a while until the construction is complete, so the builders play a huge role in obtaining the outcome you desire. They should work under the careful supervision of the architect. You can select a company that’s specialized in constructions and hire their team entirely. It all depends on experience, price, and professionalism. Before the project actually starts, discuss all the small details that could influence the construction process.

Focus your attention on selecting builders and don’t forget to closely keep an eye on what’s going on. Don’t wait around for the final result – involve yourself in the construction process. In case you’re skilled and have some free time, you can even give a helping hand so that you spend more time with the team and see how they work. Quality is paramount when it comes to building a house. No small mistakes are allowed, and the architect’s plan should be strictly followed.

Materials and services

The materials you choose, as well as the services you opt for, can completely influence the way your house is built. Details like green ON rebate, the types of insulation you choose, roofing are factors that can change the experience of living in your newly-built house. Paying attention to the construction materials you are buying is a must since these are the ones that can influence the structure’s resistance in time. Insulation is important to keep the house warm during winter and cool during summer.

All these small details can make the difference between a quality house that was built under the surveillance of the owner and a house that was built for one single purpose – to be sold as quick as possible. Building your house is all about meeting all of your expectations and obtaining the results you always desired from a property – it gives you flexibility and the power to choose what’s next. It’s up to you if you choose wisely or not.  

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Cynthia Madison this is a fantastic post for those who are thinking of building a new home.... it's not an easy task, and one would be wise to have a well-versed buyer's agent by their side to give guidance and suggestions.... 

Feb 28, 2018 04:55 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

and welcome to ActiveRain...it's a great place to learn, share, market and network....and I hope you enjoy it and benefit from all of it as much as I have over my past 9 years...

Feb 28, 2018 04:56 AM
Cynthia Madison
Representative - Alachua, FL

Thanks for the warm welcome Barbara!

Feb 28, 2018 05:03 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Cynthia,
What an excellent post and gorgeous photos. 

Welcome to ActiveRain.  We love sharing our professional experience and learning from each other. Blogging is a very effective way to establish you as a local expert.  

Keep Blogging! 

Feb 28, 2018 08:05 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Welcome to our blogging community! 

Looking forward to learning more about you and your business! 

Feb 28, 2018 11:51 PM
Cynthia Madison

Thank you, it’s great to be here! I will be posting here regularly, I hope you enjoy those articles too!

Mar 12, 2018 06:15 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Welcome to active rain. Good luck in achieving your goals on active rain 

Mar 02, 2018 02:26 AM
Jason Boone
Duke Warner Realty - Bend, OR
Principal Broker, CRIS, RENE, SRS, PSA

Welcome to ActiveRain, I wish you the best of success!

Mar 02, 2018 08:53 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Cynthia Madison ,

I'm so glad that Carol Williams featured your post in her Second Chance Saturday post! What a well written  post that is something everyone thinking of building from scratch should read! Welcome to Active Rain! You are off to a great start!

Mar 03, 2018 06:22 AM
Cynthia Madison

Hi Dorie! Thanks, I’m glad you liked it, I was really happy when I saw it featured and I can’t wait to write some new posts for you guys!

Mar 12, 2018 06:16 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Wow Cynthia Madison you've knocked it out of the park with this post! Well done!  Welcome to ActiveRain!  I can tell already you've got lots of good to share. Bring it on!!

Mar 03, 2018 10:12 AM
Cynthia Madison

Thank you so much, Anna!

Mar 12, 2018 06:16 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Cynthia Madison welcome to ActiveRain and congratulations on successfully posting your first blog on this site.

Mar 03, 2018 04:41 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Cynthia

What a wonderful way to start off your blogging here in ActiveRain...and a hearty Welcome, by the way.

I've never built a home from scratch and not sure I want to. But this is a terrific guide for anyone considering it. It's not for the faint of heart, or budget!

Jeff

Mar 04, 2018 09:02 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Cynthia,

I encounter buyers who are very leery of building new.

Your post is great information to guide them in the process.

I always recommend that buyers who are building engage the services of a knowledgeable real estate agent to guide them through the process.

Mar 06, 2018 08:06 AM
Cynthia Madison

Hi John! I completely agree with you. It’s a long and complicated process, so many things can go wrong, so it’s always reassuring to have an expert to advise you! 

Mar 12, 2018 06:17 AM
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