The Midwest has a special charm you can't find elsewhere. If you're interested in music and culture, you'll find incredible festivals like Chicago's Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, not to mention Milwaukee's Summerfest. Beer enthusiasts will enjoy over 100 top-rated breweries, and foodies can have world-famous cheese curds.
In other words, you'll have no shortage of things to see and do, taste and try. No matter how long you live in the Midwest, you'll never run out of new things to explore, whether you take a trip to the Great Lakes or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It makes sense that you'd choose this part of the country to settle down in.
So what's the next step after you've decided on the right place to plant your roots? We'll walk you through everything you need to know about building your home, with a few pieces of actionable advice to guide you through the construction process.
1. How to Purchase Land
To get started with your project, you'll have to purchase land. Beyond its cultural and social attractions, the Midwest is attractive for property in a financial context. Michigan has the second-lowest building cost in the country, and Nebraska isn't far behind. With a little research, you'll find that many Midwestern states are affordable even if you're working with a limited budget.
Once you've determined the best state for your goals and plans, search for properties that support your project. Check their zoning, grade and soil quality, and make sure they have clear access to utilities like electric, gas and plumbing. Otherwise, you'll likely have to spend far more than you first predicted.
On the subject of cost, the price of the land will change depending on the size of the plot, its location and whether you have to demolish a preexisting house. In situations where tearing down a structure is necessary, you'll incur additional expenses, with the average cost of house demolition coming to around $18,000.
2. How to Begin Your Build
After you've acquired your plot of land, you'll need to receive approval from the local municipality concerning size and placement. Your plans also have to meet local zoning and code ordinances, and the paperwork doesn't end there. Only after you've collected the proper building permits can you begin your build.
To keep the process efficient and streamlined, you should hire a design-build firm before you purchase your property of interest. They can tell you if the house you want is within your budget, whether it's manageable with the plot of land you've chosen and other small details that will factor into the final product.
As you move forward, research different companies and look into buildings they've completed. You can always approach multiple firms to bid on your project, but show caution, as choosing the firm with the lowest bid will sometimes result in subpar work. Just take things slow, and remember to reach out to past clients.
3. How to Finish Your Build
The homebuilding process is arduous sometimes, but keep your head up and remember why you started. Even though it's tiring, you shouldn't postpone your work. It's best to iron out all the details as soon as possible, seeking approval for the structural and code requirements in your blueprint right away.
When the construction of your build begins, you'll need inspectors to sign off on different steps of the process. This work is where most homebuilders find their timelines don't match up with the progress they've made, as inspectors can take anywhere from a day to as many as five days to conduct an inspection.
Once your new home is complete, you'll find that the final price for the project falls somewhere between $350,000 and $1.5 million. It's important to budget for these high costs far in advance of beginning work on your plot of land, so you're not surprised when the bill comes in.
Lastly, you're ready to move to the Midwest. Take your time to vet the moving company of your choice, pack up your household and arrange all the forms and documentation that comes with relocating. Once you settle in, you can tackle all the good stuff — furnishing, decorating and exploring your new area.
Start Planning Your Dream Home Today
The homebuilding process takes time and effort, but when you've finished your project, you'll find that all your hard work was well worth it. You'll have a beautiful custom-built house that meets and exceeds your expectations, and it all begins with planning and preparation. Research available properties and review some of the details mentioned above. And don't wait — start today!
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