am living in living in that plot line all too closely.
the fourth house I have
purchased during my 23 But isn't it the dream that makes
years of home ownership. To some the quest worthwhile? Yes, if you
that may seem like a lot of can weather the storms and
houses, to others it may seem battles along the way. And the
like I've just started. The determination to keep moving
simple fact is we Americans move forward is usually a function of
a lot... 11 or 12 times in a a strong will and a big heart.
lifetime depending on whom you But it helps to use your head
consult. Chances are you are before you set off on your
going to purchase a house during personal version of "The Lord of
quite a few of those moves and the Rings."
somewhere along the line you may
have the opportunity to build a It is likely that you have
new home. options when you begin the
process of buying a home. There
Should you? may be existing homes in the area
that are affordable and that meet
Everyone has fantasized at some your needs. But there are always
point about his or her dream things about any property or
house. You may want closets big house that don't exactly meet
enough to live in; a bathroom with your approval. The basement
that doubles as a spa; a kitchen may not be finished or the yard
in which you could produce may be too small or the interior
programs for the Food Network décor may have to be entirely
But, as in most fantasies, there redone. It is virtually
is usually some epic journey impossible to buy an existing
required to achieve the goal. And home without making compromises.
building your dream house follows
Building new allows you to newer homes are more energy
imagine, design and build the efficient.
home that accommodates needs and
amenities that are important to Commuting costs may be an issue.
you... within a budget of course. Developers must go further and
And that is one thing that must further out to find enough land
be considered. A new home will be to accommodate a new subdivision.
more expensive, on a cost per That may mean higher costs for
foot basis, than an existing one. commuting to work and to access
That is due to the cost of land, other businesses and venues that
the price of building materials may be closer to the nearest
and labor expense. You might also major population center. You
find that taxes are high as a new should consider this from both a
area is developed and the monetary perspective and to
municipal authorities factor in determine if you are comfortable
the required infrastructure for a with an additional investment of
growing population and the need time.
for services like education, law
enforcement and recreation. You If your new house is built in a
may find yourself subsidizing subdivision there may be ongoing
some of these costs as an area fees required. In addition, there
develops. may be covenants that are
designed to protect property
The ongoing costs associated with values that may apply serious
an existing house are more restrictions on your ability to
predictable. However, there will enhance your home and/or your
likely be more maintenance property down the road.
expense than for a new house and
energy costs tend to be higher A new home needs new landscaping.
with older properties because This may be included in the price
of the home but there will likely found this level of activity
be a limit to what is covered disconcerting and disruptive
under the agreement. To landscape especially when they are settling
the property in a way that is into their "dream home" and
truly satisfying may require an trying to savor the experience.
additional outlay.
If you build new be prepared to
Beware of construction delays! stay for a while. With new
Building contractors are construction all around you it
notorious for setting deadlines would be difficult to compete
they miss and making promises with the rest of the properties
they can't keep. Make sure you do available for others who want to
some thorough research about the build a house from the ground up.
builder and his track record You would have to make it worth
before you commit. Weather is their while and that usually
always unpredictable and may have means a compromise in price.
an effect but that should be
factored in from the start. All this being said (and trust me
there is more that could be said)
A new subdivision can be a there is nothing quite as
hornet's nest of building satisfying as showcasing the
activity. If you move into your house to family and friends that
home early in the process be you designed and built and that
prepared for hammering, sawing, reflects your unique vision and
trucks, mud and general chaos for personality. If you survive the
quite a while as the subdivision journey, you will likely have
progresses. This is a lifestyle turned your fantasy into reality.
issue and is a temporary
inconvenience. But some have
About the Author:
J. Terrence McDermott is administrator and webmaster for House Plans Central at http://www.house-plans-central.com, a site featuring recommendations and resources for those seeking information about house plans and home designs.
Source: www.isnare.com
