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Should I Build or Buy?

Should I build or buy Creating an open and airy, great room.

Should I Build Or Buy A Home?

You’ve envisioned building your dream house for as long as you can remember.  But, is this really a possibility?  Do you have the time, money, and patience to put those dreams to the drawing board? Or, is your life too busy, are you constrained by a budget?  These questions are incredibly important when you are considering, should I build or buy my next home.

Either option has its advantages and disadvantages!  Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of building vs. buying your next house.

The major advantage of buying an existing home is time.  Are you on a tight schedule, do you need to relocate for a job, kids need to start school immediately?  Then purchasing would be right for you, the average time from offer to closing is 60 days.  A home that is for sale, may also have a lower price point than building a new house. There are definite disadvantages to buying an already built home, which usually comes in the form of hidden costs. Wear and tear happen in any home, but it’s the unknowns which may cause pain to your pocketbook.  What if, after immediately moving in, the HVAC system goes out?  Do you know that could cost you almost $5,000?  Not the sticker shock you are expecting. Another consideration with a pre-built home, compromising on the floor plan, which may not meet your specifications.   Additionally, the neighborhood you want could be out of your price range or inventory on existing homes could be non-existent. Older homes can also be less energy efficient, consisting of out-of-date windows, doors, appliances, incomplete or lacking insulation and HVAC.  Lead-based paint or asbestos may be present, which is a cause for health concerns.  All of these issues point to pricey renovations. Which can balloon the original cost of the property, but cause inconvenience with dust, dirt, and workers in your home.

Advantages to building your home come in many forms; more for your money, move-in ready, energy and comfort efficiency, health concerns alleviated, just to name a few.

When you plan your own home, you are designing for how you live today, tomorrow and the future.  There is no need for remodeling, fewer repairs and maintenance, and the extra bonus of years of warranties. Comfort and energy efficiency reflect well for your wallet too. Installing water-saving plumbing fixtures, insulation and air sealing, radiant and zone heating, helps reduce your energy use and costs. According to Energy.gov/Energy-Efficient Home Design, “before you design a new home, consider investing in energy efficiency.  You’ll save energy and money, and your home will be more comfortable and durable.” Indoor air quality is improved by using non-toxic or low-toxic building materials, installation of air filtration systems and radon-resistant construction. During the initial construction is the perfect time to customize for the future.  Especially as some upfront costs or technology upgrades may not work into your initial budget. Adding wiring for home automation or solar panels, during the build, eliminates the need to punch holes in drywall later. The final and most important questions.  Do you have the capacity to build a home from the ground up?  Or, does your personality suit a home that is already completed? Do you work a 40+ hour a week job, do you have multiple kids in sports or activities, are you caring for an aging relative, do you find it hard to compromise, do you have a difficult time making decisions?  If two or more of these answers are a yes, you may not have the room in your life to accommodate building a home. However, maybe your temperament is the kind where you can be busy, you can make and hold firmly to choices, you are easily adaptable to change, meeting in the middle on common ground is attainable.  If you can see yourself in this likeness, you are ready to build your dream home.

The question still remains should I build or buy?

The bottom line when deciding to build your dream home or buy the next best thing, you need to figure out what works best for you and your family, your budget, your time and your lifestyle. Should I build or buy Should I build or buy – Inconvenience of a kitchen remodel Should I build or buy Disruption of a room remodel Should I build or buy Hopefully, there’s a second bathroom when you remodel Should I build or buy Should I build or buy – When you custom build your home, luxury can come in many forms. Should I build or buy Outdoor entertainers paradise.
Know what you can afford before you begin. For the past eighteen years, my company Creekside Homes has been building magnificent, custom-designed homes for the luxury market. The information in this guide (highlights from my years of experience) will help you make more informed choices and have less stress and greater confidence throughout the entire process.
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Let’s build your dream home in McMinnville, OR

My book offers a checklist of “What To Do Before You Build.” click to get it. Are you ready to get started, or have questions, just fill out the easy online form or call 503 389-6890

Here’s to building your dreams…!

Andrew Burton home designer
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  • The 10 Critical Questions to ask before building
  • 8 Key Areas to invest in for your perfect home
  • Top 11 Mistakes made by new homeowners
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