The prospect of building a new home is both exciting and daunting. On the one hand, you have a chance to finally get everything you wanted in a home, but on the other, there are many details to consider in order to ensure that you'll enjoy your stay. For a project of this magnitude, careful planning is critical. This article discusses how to merge your desires with practicality to come up with a functional plan that still reflects your lifestyle.
1. Budget
The average home-builder will not have an unlimited pocket on which to budget the building project. This in turn will dictate what you can and cannot have in your home. Once you have your pre-approval for a loan or have your money ready, visit several builders with your ideas and see what you can and cannot do within your budget.
The best way to approach a constrained budget is to divide your thoughts into needs (must-haves), wants (important) and desires (can-haves). Sit in with your design expert to ensure that all needs have been factored in, and then rank your wants and desires in order of practicality and affordability. Use your current and former homes as points of reference – specifically, why did you move and what didn't you like? The answer to these questions can help you set out the features that are most important for you.
2. Marketability
Reselling may be the last thing on your mind at the start of planning for your new home, but life happens. Even though the idea seems far-fetched, you may have to move and resell that house at some point in the future. Therefore, it's important to consult real-estate agents around your area to find out which features and amenities are desirable for buyers in your area, as well as the features that will increase the value of the home into the future. You can also tour home expos and homes for sale to get ideas on current trends in your region.
3. Flexibility
Ensure to include features that will make adaptation easier in the future. For instance, make your doorways and stairwells wide enough to allow wheelchair movement and stairwell lifts for elderly people that may come to live with you. Remember that such changes may be almost impossible to make once the structure is in place. Do not think only of your needs today, but think about what you'll need decades from now, because that's how long a house lasts.
