Avoid the Land Rush
The custom home building process is a complex process filled with lots of emotion. It is all too common for people to get excited about an idea. Next, they go out and buy a beautiful piece of land.
After that they go to a designer, who draws them up this elaborate plan who sends them off to find a builder. Often to their dismay, their design is too expensive.
Champagne taste has met its first barrier. Then the house doesn’t fit on the lot. The snowball begins to pick up momentum and gets out of control. All too often I see plans that are costly and time consuming all go up in smoke.
The Land Rush. Wasn’t that in the 1800’s when the frontier was opened up? I’ve seen people run out to our Texas Hill Country and get caught up in the buying frenzy. The great deals will be gone. You better hurry and buy the land before it is all gone.
This is not a process to go at alone. And I don’t mean having a salesman you just met 15 minutes ago to advise you. Sure land sales people are helpful, but you need to be in a position of buying with knowledge not emotion. Don’t get in a hurry.
Do Your Homework. What kind of home do you want to build? Where do you want to build? Specific subdivision or in the country? Size? Square footage? Style? What is important to you? One story or two? Garage size? Work through some of these issues first and step into the process educated.
Walk model homes. Get to know some builders while being respectful of their time. You might ask to meet them at a jobsite they are already heading too. See them in action. See their product.
Build Your Team. After narrowing down what kind of house you like and acquainting yourself with builders, it is time to build your team. I know, when do we go dirt shopping. Well, we are getting closer. A good builder can recommend a designer or architect who will be a good fit for you. You are looking for someone who can work with you on your design and give you feedback on your ideas. There are draftsmen out there and they have their place, but find someone who meets your needs and whom you are comfortable.
Let’s go shopping. Let me clarify one thing here. I am not against “Pre-shopping”. By this I mean driving subdivisions, looking at lots, narrowing down the process of where you want to build. This should be done in tandem with the above processes or before you build your team. Just don’t get “SOLD” and roped into the land rush.
Once you have narrowed things down some, bring your team to help you. Look at the land with an expert. Either your designer, builder or both. They can give you insight and direction you are not expected to have. Once you have considered their input and what kind of home you want, GO BUY SOME DIRT!
Design your plan and pick your builder. Now that you have a team and a lot, it’s time to design your home. Think about it now. You have educated yourself, avoided the Land Rush, and now own the RIGHT lot for you.
Now working with your designer and builder it is best to establish some budgets and get everyone on the same page. Here expectations can be established and fine tuned to create a well oiled machine. Moving forward, the process can run smoothly, efficiently and as economically as possible.
By avoiding the land rush so many people get caught up in, you can make the custom home building process much more pleasurable. You will get more for your money and time. I wish you the best in this process and feel free to contact me if I can be of any help.
