Three Tips for Designing a Custom Home
Though the housing market in the United States did take a turn for the worst in the mid- to late-2000s, it has more than bounced back. Luxury custom homes are even on the rise, as more buyers feel confident in the market. Buying a custom home is a popular choice because it allows buyers to have a greater level of control over the way the house will look and how much the home will cost. If you’re interested in buying a custom home, you’re probably already a little stressed out about the number of different things that can go into designing it, but here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Stay on Budget
Designing luxury home plans can be really exciting because it allows you to get the exact home you’re looking for, but the expenses can add up really quickly. Adding luxury features and special amenities like pools, hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, brick ovens for pizza, and so on can be cool but it’s also costly. Keep in mind that custom home builders are going to charge between 15% and 25% of the total building cost of the home and keep an eye on your budget during the planning stages.
2. Look at Existing Models
When you’re starting to make your plans, you might want to start by viewing luxury house models (think of the home the Bluth’s live in on the popular television show “Arrested Development”). These are already built luxury homes that are meant to give buyers an idea of what’s possible. Look at a couple of different models and take note of things that you do and don’t like about them before starting to work on your luxury home plans.
3. Go Green
This is something that a lot of custom home buyers don’t really consider at the outset, but when you’re going over the plans for your home make sure to add as many eco-friendly options as you can. Make sure that your windows and doors are all going to be well sealed, that your kitchen appliances are efficient, and that all of the toilets in the home are low-flush. These measures are all going to help reduce utility bills and could be a selling point later if you choose to sell the home.
Do you have any tips or advice for someone buying a luxury custom home? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below.