Things that Best Home Builders Understand. And So Should You!
Here are a few factors best home builders keep in mind when planning and building a home– and things you should consider as you plan your dream home, and seek out a builder that can make it happen.
Rain
Rain is one of the most significant challenges facing Vancouver homeowners — and home builders. The problem isn’t just building a home in wet weather. Moving water safely and effectively away from a completed home is also challenging task
Sunshine
A good builder knows how to harness the sun’s rays, effectively and efficiently. With sun-friendly exposure, a home and yard benefit from solar rays during most of the day
For gardeners and those who like to spend time in their backyards, southern exposure is especially significant. Those who wish to create a landscape display in front of their home will need to trade backyard sun and have their front door facing south instead.
Interiors
Let’s face it, has days, weeks, even months, when sunshine is in short supply. Well-placed windows and skylights will stream in precious sunlight. But here’s another area where a talented home builder can shine.
WHATEVER GOOD THINGS WE BUILD, END UP BUILDING US
A HOME IS THE CENTER OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S UNIVERSE.
How and where you live, impacts nearly every facet of your life. We always start the new home selection journey with a simple question – what is truly important?
As both residents of and business owners in Metropolist, we know how fortunate we are to be surrounded by great people and culture, with mature, yet growing businesses and economy, as well as events, activities and arts to occupy anyone’s social calendar! While there are a million reasons to build a home in our area, there’s really one clear choice in who to build with
INNOVATION
Our team is constantly innovating and bringing new concepts to our region, and there are many things we’re proud of and feel that bring our advantage to life.
Not only are we a passionate and committed team of trend scouts, innovators, design enthusiasts and sustainable construction experts, but we personally invite you to bring your own ideas as well. You won’t find a team more committed to you and tailoring the entire experience around your goals.
than creating strong communities. We aren’t a builder for the sake of doing so; we don’t measure our success solely on homes sold, square footage or revenue. Everyday our people come together to improve the way our communities live, to positively impact our small corner of the world and ultimately, to ensure that anyone who comes through our doors is treated like family.
often overlooked considerations when building a new home
There is so much to consider and act on when building a new home. Budgeting is crucial, as is overall design and functionality. Amidst the chaos of outlining and building a new home, homeowners have the tendency to overlook some seemingly minor details. However, these seemingly minor details can really haunt a homeowner down the road if not considered. We hope you don’t fall victim to this trap.
Which direction will your home face?
Again, this may seem like a rather ho-hum detail, but wait until you are awakened much earlier in the morning than you intended because sunlight is beaming into your room. Or maybe the sun shines on your back porch at the times that you like to chill out there.
The annoyances caused by untimely sunlight can drive a homeowner insane! The good news is the sun rises and sets in the same direction every single day; therefore, the issue can be so easily avoided. Just be sure your new home is being built in your ideal direction.
Are you floors functionally capable?
Often times, flooring is considered only for its looks and not for its functionality. If you do not consider your floors’ capabilities then you will be living dangerously. “Dangerously” may not be the right word; however, you certainly don’t want one of your biggest investments to be ruined in the first few years after building a new home.
A few flooring tips:
Avoid hardwood in bathrooms and laundry rooms (and kitchens if you are an aggressive cooker).
There is nothing wrong with installing laminate hardwood or vinyl plank flooring in your living area, especially if you are on a budget. They take on wear and tear as well as any floor type.
If your budget is rather loose, natural stone floors (granite, marble, travertine) are luxurious options. Just be sure you seal a natural stone floor as most types are porous (susceptible to moisture).
Don’t exclude less common floor types. For example, cork flooring can be great for a kitchen, as can concrete in some circumstances. One is soft and one is hard; however, they both stand up well over time.
If you have pets, laminate, vinyl and engineered hardwood are wise choices. True hardwood will scratch, but you can have it refinished if the scratching gets out of hand.
Things to Keep in Mind When Selecting a Home Builder
Building a home is an experience like no other. Ensuring you get it right is essential to the home building process. The design is based on your own unique lifestyle needs and is meant to showcase your style and personality. With that in mind, selecting a home builder is a crucial step. Every project is different after all! When building your dream home, you need to make sure your builder has the skillset to bring your vision to life. Trusting the wrong builder can lead to disaster, so knowing how to select one that’s qualified is important. To help you get started, we’ve gathered a list of helpful tips and questions to ask while meeting with potential builders.
Building a Home is a Service, Not a Product
Yes, you’ll end up with a beautiful home when it’s all said and done. However, your builder is providing a service to you. This includes acting as a consultant or guide throughout the design and construction process.
Get an Up-Close Look at Their Work
Every builder has a different set of skills and some may be more qualified than others. One way to ensure a potential builder’s skills match your project is to see their work in person. Visit any available spec homes or models before selecting a home builder. Doing so will give you a better idea of their design and craftsmanship style.
The Initial Design Matters
Your finished home is only as good as the design that inspired it. Most builders offer a library of floor plans and designs to help you get started. However, your best bet is to work with a builder that offers “Design/Build” services.
Do Your Homework
Don’t be afraid to check a potential builder’s references. Getting a first-hand account from other homeowners lets you know what it’s like to work with that builder and their trade partners. For a thorough account, visit the Better Business Bureau website to see if any complaints have been filed against the builder. Before selecting a home builder, check their references.
Should You Buy or Build a Home?
Most homebuyers end up spending lots of time and energy either searching for or designing “the perfect home” before signing any contracts or laying down funds.
Location, price, market trends, property taxes, homeowners association fees, and the condition of the property are usually factored into a house hunt. Also, each buyer typically has a wish list that includes specific needs (the things the buyer has to have) and wants (the features the buyer would like but could do without if necessary).
Buying an Existing Home
There are two primary advantages to buying an existing home: convenience and cost. Once you are pre-approved by your lender, you can shop around, pick out a home, and make an offer.
A qualified real estate agent can streamline the process by helping you find appropriate properties, guiding you through negotiations, and assisting with the paperwork. Once your offer is accepted, you may be able to close on the deal, and then move in within a month or two, depending on the circumstances.
Schedules and Cost
The need to buy a move-in ready home may be especially true for buyers on a tight schedule, such as those relocating for a new job or whose children will be starting at a new school.