Ever Swing a Hammer?
Smart contrarians swing against trends. Given our housing market has turned, it's actually a fantastic time to build your own custom home. If you are bound and determined to build spec (not a great idea if you ask me) it would behoove you to build homes that are better designed to target higher quality buyers who want smaller is beautiful and green is best kinda discerning folks. These follks are also the ones with both smarts and money. Chances are they also have the patience and PASSION to see their own project through and if you are the lucky architect or builder they pick, you get the benefit of THEM carrying the financial risk.
Advantages To Custom Home Building in a Down Market
1. Architects are less busy and more willing to take on smaller projects (one home vs. development)
2. Contractors are also eager for work therefore NEGOTIABLE (polite?)
3. Quicker Building Permits (less waiting, more cooperative planners?)
3. Suppliers are eager to sell their wares...less competition for building products
4. Land sales should be similarly eager to close/negotiate a sale on your terms.
5. Underwriters are more appreciative of Green Building and higher value projects.
Whether you are building a mansion or renovating a cabin--specialist construction lenders offer a broad range of options. Custom-Perm or 'one time close' loans assist you to acquire land, build or renovate and roll into a permanent mortgage with one closing...saving you time and money.
A professional construction lender (like me) will handle the process from appraisals to approvals, budgeting and funding. Once construction begins, your lender oversees the flow of funds until you are ready to move in!
Here is where I plug my fantastic hand picked team of like minded sustainability professionals at Focus Northwest, a local non profit network of home and lifestyle entrepreneurs, including architects, designers, realtors, appraisers, inspectors, appliance retailers, heating specialsts, and financial advisors.
Also, check out our local Built Green program. Then get swinging!
copyright 2008 Susan Templeton
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