Building Your Dream Home: Part II - The Architects


 

Building Your Dream Home: Part II - The Architects


This is part two of our three-part series on building your dream home. 


In our first part, we discussed the importance of finding the right piece of land to build on. That means many different things, to different people. A secluded cabin in the woods could be the perfect getaway, or maybe it’s an old home tear-down in a great neighborhood. The importance of finding the right land and location cannot be understated. 

What wasn’t mentioned was diving deeper into what owning that property will mean long term. Do you anticipate the property remaining stable for years to come?  Are their nearby development plans that would change the reason you’re buying the land?  Do you like the neighborhood, character and location?  Is the area appreciating or depreciating?  Is their proper ingress and egress to and from the property?  Looking at the property from a neutral perspective, is there any reason you would regret the purchase in a few years? These are all valid questions any person looking to build, must ask.

Depending on the type of property you’re hoping to build, will direct you on the type of company to hire to help you make that dream a reality. The resources for a manufactured home will be different than the resources an architect will provide. If you’re going the architecture route, I highly recommend meeting with 3-5 architects and reviewing properties they have designed, both online and in-person if possible. Resumes are important, but seeing their style and eye are oftentimes more important. 

Each architect will have their own cadence and way of working. House plans inherently mean lots of changes before the final product. You’ll want someone that’s patient, but also someone who can efficiently move you along the design process. It’s easy to get caught up in minute details, and lose sight of the bigger picture. Provide your architect clear and concise direction so they deliver the product that you’re expecting. 

It’s also critical to have a budget in mind before you hire your architect. If you only have $300K and you’re house plan exceeds your budget, you’re going to be very disappointed in the process. Set your expectations early and stay within your budget, because you will overspend with change orders and upgrades throughout the build process. 

As you near completion of your plans, it’s time to consider choosing a general contractor. This person knows how to build homes from foundation to finish. Hiring someone with a strong track record of service, experience and affordability is critical. Obtaining references is also crucial before selecting someone to build your dream home. Our GC took us on a tour of a nearly finished home he built, to help us understand his attention to detail, quality and build skills. Again, it’s paramount to find someone you want to work with, and who’s an excellent communicator. It’s usually a 9-12 month build timeline and you’ll be working closely together for nearly a year. Flexible plans, clear direction, attorney-approved contracts and great communication will make the difference in the experience you have. 

As we move to close out our series this week on building your dream home, connect with me on your real estate goals, whether you’re buying a home in Tacoma, relocating to Gig Harbor or finding your perfect piece of land in the Puget Sound. Call or text me at (206) 643-8845 or let’s connect at www.erikmolzen.bhhsnw.com 

#land #contractor #building #dreamhome #pnwhomes #erikmolzenrealtor #findyourselfhere #bhhsnw #tacomarealestate #gigharborhomes #seattlehomes #landdevelopment #feasibility

Location: Tacoma, WA, USA

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