Part 7- How To Have A Successful Custom Home Building Experience
From the Owners perspective.
Great resale potential- is possible if you hire an experienced team and listen to their advice. A solid team consists of a Realtor, Interior Designer, Plan Designer and of course the Builder. This group of experts do this every day and have years of of experience. Ignore their advice and it’s going to cost you “big time” when it’s time to sell your home.
Seldom do I hear, “we want you to build our custom home but we are only going to live here for a few years before we sell”. Usually, it’s, “this is going to be our last home. The only way I’m moving from here is feet first”! Unfortunately, kids grow up and move away, employment situations change, unforeseen events take place and yes, even marital statuses change. No matter how certain you are that you are never going to move again, it’s smart to have a contingency plan.
The Realtor brings a wealth of resale market experience. They have their finger on the pulse of home buyers. They know what homebuyers like and what they don’t. Are you over building for the neighborhood? Is this a floor plan that will meet the needs of a large enough segment of the resale market? Does you home have the features that buyers in this price range would find attractive? These are all very important questions that you should ask before you build your home. The wrong answer can cost you not just a little money but tens of thousands of dollars!
Using an Interior Designer (ID) is perhaps one of the best values when building. For perhaps $1-$2 per SF of living area you can creat a home that is head and shoulders above the competition. They help you creat the “sizzle” that will really make your home memorable. Homeowners ask, can I afford an Interior Designer? I usually respond, you can’t afford not to have an interior designer.
Owners think it’s all about selecting paint colors, not hardly. A competent ID helps with so much more. They sit down with you and find out what you like, then offer suggestions on how to achieve the look you have in mind at a reasonable cost. The ID is an important ally that helps coordinate flooring, trim, window treatments, hardware, traffic flow, furniture placement, lighting, plumbing fixtures, set budgets, cabinets, counter tops, ceiling treatments and so much more. The ID completes all the selection sheets that are distributed to the rest of the building team. A vital part of the construction process. The right ID helps you stay within your budget and saves you money. When I build a “model home” the ID is one of the first people I speak with. I can’t afford not to have her on my building team.
The Plan Designer (Architect) places the home you have in your mind on paper. He listens to you and finds out the needs of your family and how you live. Takes all that information and translates that into a language the building trades understand. All while making sure you “dream home” fits on the building lot and meets the local building codes and HOA requirements. The Plan Designer does all that while at the same time creating a design that meets your budget and makes your home exceptional when it’s time to sell and move on.
The Builder is the overall coordinator that sees the entire picture. He assembles the individual team members and knows from experience if your home is headed in the right direction. A balance between the dream in your minds eye, budget requirements, resale potential and low maintenance. If you select the right Builder it will make a big difference to your homes resale potential. He has to guide you and have the courage to let you know when you are about to make a big mistake or encouraging you to look at another option that is in your best interests. A Builder is like an indian guide. He leads you through the almost endless choices and keeps you from making terminal decisions.
Frankly, it’s all about having a Builder’s Team that supports you the Owner, to make your dream a reality instead of a resale nightmare.
Have an awesome day!
Mike
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