Home << Home Building Advice
Congratulations! You're ready to build your dream home. It's an exciting time–but one that can be full of obstacles. To help you navigate through the process, we've put together the following guidelines.
- First, consider your needs when searching for property.
Do you want to live in proximity to schools? How many square feet will you need? Is being close to shopping and city amenities important to you? Specifically, think about the following issues:
Location
Luxury homes are all about "location, location, location." In fact, a home's resale value is directly affected by its address. Finding the right neighborhood—one that offers a balance between your current needs and your future plans—is part of the adventure.
Lifestyle
Because the lot will need to be big enough to accommodate the size of your house, decide early in the process how much and what kinds of spaces your lifestyle demands. Often, homeowners planning their dream home forget to think about such necessities as garage size or the possibility that more living space might be needed later.
Size
Write a list of features and amenities you would like to have in your dream home today. Then make another list of what you want to have in three to five years. Consider features such as the number of bathrooms, a sunroom, a playroom or garage space. Highlight the items that might increase your home size and thus your property size. This list will help you determine if your dream home—as it is currently planned—will accommodate growth.
- Get familiar with the developer's Covenant and Restrictions.
It's easy to get an idea of the developer's vision for a new neighborhood. Try to read the Covenant and Restrictions (C&Rs)—rules and regulations for living and building in a new neighborhood—first. Then call the developer and ask any questions you might have.
When reading the C&Rs, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are the C&Rs comprehensive?
- Do they describe and protect a neighborhood vision that fits your personality and lifestyle?
- Do they help create an environment that encourages a strong resale value?
No one wants to move into a new house only to discover that a neighbor is running a small business out of his or her garage. Or learn later that they and their neighbors are liable for infrastructure expenses. Ultimately, the C&Rs are a contract between you and your neighbors. That means forward-looking C&Rs help like-minded homeowners maintain the integrity of a neighborhood.
View the C&Rs for Bryn Mawr, The Manor and Regents Park now.
Tour the neighborhood.
Check out the contours of the neighborhood and its environmental footprint. Consider:- Are the roads and sidewalks nearly completed?
- Are the lots properly marked?
Drive through the neighborhood with family or friends and then schedule a tour with the developer's agent.
- Choose a builder wisely.
Before entrusting a builder with your home, do your research.
- Ask a prospective builder if you can see other homes he or she has built.
- Was he a general contractor on the job?
- How many homes has he built?
- Would he be amenable to changes in the blueprints?
Then, drive by homes he or she has built. If you see the homeowners outside, introduce yourself and ask them if they would mind sharing their experiences with the builder and if they are happy with their home. Homeowners are generally open to talking about any problems they have with the house or had during construction. They are also open to praising responsive, conscientious builders.
A good place to begin your search is with a visit to the Monroe County Building Association. You'll find many exceptional builders in Monroe County. Although Heartland doesn't endorse any particular builder, we are happy to speak with you about any concerns you might have and offer suggestions when appropriate.
It all starts with the right property. So contact us and let us help you find the perfect place to build your dream.
