Building a custom home is an amazing experience. Your choices are virtually limitless, so you can create a home that includes all of your wants and needs. At the same time, so many choices can be overwhelming when you’re working with a custom home builder in Greensboro, NC. Here are some tips for managing the many detail selections when building a custom home.  

There’s No Hurry: You Can Take your Time Making your Selections 

One of the myths about building a custom home is that you have to hurry up and make all the decisions at the beginning. In actuality, the decisions will come along gradually throughout the process. During the initial consultation with your custom home builder in Greensboro, NC you’ll discuss the basic ideas that you have so that your builder can start to develop a rough plan to tweak later. You won’t need to choose your paint colors on day one. There will be plenty of time for interior décor and other decisions on down the road. 

Many of your Selections can be Changed Later 

Some people have a fear of making a choice and then regretting it later. The good news is that most of the decisions you make can be changed prior to implementation. Your builder will guide you through the timeline of building in such a way that you will always have at least a few days, if not weeks, to think about any decision you make and change your mind if you choose. That should take a load off your mind when it comes to custom home building.  

Your Builder can Offer you a Smaller Set of Selections  

Do you tend to get overwhelmed when you have too many choices? If so, let your builder, the one with all the experience, narrow down your choices for you to a smaller selection of recommendations. Builders and interior designers have an eye for what works in a home based on the many previous homes they have built. And after working with you and getting to know you, a builder will have a general idea of your style and tastes.  

Communication is the Key to a Healthy Relationship, Even the One Between you and your Builder 

One of the first things to establish with your builder is everyone’s preferred method of communication. Do you prefer to receive an email with possible selections? Or would you prefer a text? Maybe you’d rather meet in person, speak on the phone, or do a video call any time you have a choice to make. You’ll need to establish the best line of communication between you and your builder. That alone will eliminate the potential stress that can come from miscommunication.  

R&K Custom Homes Takes the Stress out of Home Building 

If you want a stress-free home building process, work with R&K Custom Homes, a leading custom home builder in Greensboro, NC. R&K will guide you through the process so that the many decisions you need to make will be easily manageable. Call (336) 362-5225.  

Once you have decided to choose one of the fine custom homebuilders Greensboro has to offer, there are some things that you should know about how the custom home building process works. The more you understand about the process of buying and building a custom home, the better prepared you will be. Here are six of the primary things that you should know about the process before you get started on the design of your custom home: 

Pre-Planning Your Home Must-Haves And Wish List Is Very Important  

When you start designing a custom home with a custom home builder you should already have a list of the features that you must have in your new home as well as a wish list of features that you’d like to have if they can be worked into the design. Because the home building process does take some time, the sooner you have those lists completed the sooner the process can get started and the faster your home will be done. Spend some time thinking about the features and elements that you want in your custom home so you will be ready to start the design process.  

There May Be A Loan For Each Part Of The Process 

Unlike buying an existing home there could be several loans involved in the purchase of a custom home. You could possibly have a mortgage for the finished home, a loan to buy the land that the home will sit on, and a construction loan to pay for the building of the home. Some builders will finance the construction of the home themselves. Be sure that you understand the unique financing of a custom built home before you sign a contract. 

The Reputation Of The Builder Can Impact Your Financing 

Choosing the right homebuilder is important to make sure that you get the quality home that you want. It’s also important because when you apply for financing, the finance company or bank will consider the reputation of the homebuilder as well as your financial information when they are making the decision on whether or not to approve you. Make sure that you thoroughly check out any custom home builders that you are thinking of working with and double check that they have a good reputation in the industry.  

The Home Size You Choose Should Be In Scale With The Land 

A common mistake that people make when planning a custom home is planning a home that is out of scale with the piece of land that it sits on. The size of your home should be balanced with the size of the plot of land that it will be built on so that you don’t end up with a very large house on a very small piece of land or vice versa. Talk to your builder and get expert recommendations when it comes to deciding on the size of the house.  

Plan On It Taking About A Year To Build A Custom Home 

As a general rule of thumb, you should plan on a custom built home taking about a year to complete from start to finish. It may be done in as little as six months but it’s best to plan on it taking at least a year so that you don’t end up having to crash on a relative’s couch because you sold your previous home and your new home isn’t ready yet.  

A Real Estate Agent Can Be A Big Help Navigating The Process 

The process of buying a custom built home is radically different than the process of buying an existing home but a real estate agent that specializes in custom-built homes can be a big help to guide you through the process. Consider hiring an agent that has experience in custom built homes to help you navigate the process.  

The best thing you can do is communicate your must-haves and wishes to your homebuilder and let them design the home accordingly. If you’d like to see some of the amazing designs an experienced custom homebuilder in Greensboro can create for your next home, call R&K Custom Homes today.  

Deciding between buying an existing house and building a custom home is something that is never easy. There are tradeoffs that you will have to make no matter which you choose. There are also lifestyle factors that might make it preferable to search for a real estate agent instead of a custom home builder in Greensboro for some buyers. Some of the factors that you should consider when you are deciding whether to buy or build a new home are: 

Getting A House With The Right Function 

Whenever you are looking for a new home, that home has to have the functionality necessary to make life easier for you and your family. Buying an existing home usually means that you’re going to have to trade some function in order to get something else on your must-have list. For example, if you want an extra bedroom or a finished basement multipurpose space, you may have to accept a home that doesn’t have the mudroom you want or an open concept made for entertaining.  

When you have a custom home built you can select a home that has all the functionality you and your family need so that you can alleviate pressure and stress in your life. A custom-built home allows you to create a unique home that is customized specifically to provide the function that you and your family need.  

Getting A House With The Features That Fit Your Lifestyle 

Another factor to consider when you are choosing between buying an existing home or having a custom home built is the features that are available and the features that you want your home to have. Older homes that weren’t built for modern life may not fit aspects of the lifestyle you want to have. If you buy an existing home you may have to renovate and make changes to that home to get those high-end features that you want. Having a custom home built gives you the opportunity to have lifestyle spaces like indoor/outdoor kitchen and dining spaces, home gyms, or guest suites incorporated into the design of the home from the start so that the house has all of the lifestyle upgrades that you want in a new home.  

Buying A Home That Will Be Right For Your Future 

There are existing homes that have a lot of charm and might seem like they would work for your family right now. But your home should be designed to take your family into the future, not just to suit your lifestyle right now. A new home with smart technology, energy efficient design and appliances, and modern building materials is the home that will take your family into the future. To find out more about the options that a custom-built home gives you call R&K Custom Homes today.  

Choosing the right home builder from the many available Greensboro home builders is just the first of many decisions that you will need to make when building a custom home. Making bad decisions, or making these common mistakes, can cause your custom built home to take longer to complete and to go way over budget. These are some of the most common mistakes that home buyers make when having a custom home built. Avoid making these mistakes if you want to make sure that your custom home is completed on time and is the home of your dreams: 

Not Carefully Picking The Lot For Your New Home 

Home buyers often are so caught up in the planning of their dream home that they forget that the lot matters too. The location, size of the lot, and the view from the lot will all have a big impact on how you live and how much enjoyment you get from your home. Don’t get so wrapped up in the idea of the house that you forget to notice the details of the lot. Check for things like traffic, the view, and the amount of noise around the lot to make sure you don’t end up with a great house in a bad location.  

Choosing A Builder Based Strictly On Price 

Budgets are important, but when it comes to having a custom home built you should always prioritize the quality of the builder and the home over the price. The lowest priced builder is not always the best value. Remember that this is the home you’re going to be living in for years to come, so it makes sense to spend a little more money now to ensure that you are getting a home that you will love for many years and that functions the way that you need it to function. Compare the quality and reputations of the builders and not just the prices that they bid.   

Making Big Purchases During The Construction Of The Home 

It can take up to a year for a custom home to be built and the mortgage for the home won’t be finalized until the house is finished. Often people assume that because they have a contract for the house and the house is being built that it’s ok for them to make major purchases like new cars or other large, expensive items. Doing that will drive up your debt to income ratio and could result in you getting a higher interest rate or paying more for your mortgage. Keep your spending low until you have a mortgage and are ready to move into your new home.  

Not Planning For The Future When Designing The Home 

Thinking long term is something that many custom home buyers forget to do. You think about the features and functionality that you want in a home now instead of the features and functionality that you will need in the future. When you are designing your home, keep the future in mind. Maybe a master suite on the ground floor isn’t appealing to you now, but in ten or twenty years when it’s more difficult for you to go up and down the stairs, you might reconsider a master suite on the lower level. Think about the future when you are planning the design of your home.  

Making Changes After Construction Begins 

Too often, home buyers want to make major changes to the design of a home after the construction has started. This can drive up the cost of the home and cause large delays in completing the home. Take your time planning the home during the design phase and once the construction has started, stick to that plan. Don’t make changes after construction begins unless you absolutely have to.  

 Not Planning On Contingencies When It Comes To Construction 

There are a lot of costs associated with a custom built house and the right Greensboro home builders will do their best to stay on budget. However, home buyers should always plan on a few contingencies popping up along the way that can cause delays or increases in costs. Every building project is bound to have some things that don’t go as planned and end up eating up the budget or the schedule for the new home. Smart home buyers plan for contingencies by making sure that have extra money set aside for any unexpected surprises.  

If you want to learn more about the common mistakes that home buyers make when they are buying a custom home and how you can avoid them, talk to one of the knowledgeable staff members at R&K Custom Homes today.  

If you’re planning to build a custom home in 2019, you’ll want to include all the latest features and design elements. Elite homebuilders in Greensboro follow these trends and can recommend the newest custom home designs for the upcoming year. Make sure your new home is state of the art by working with R&K Custom Homes to incorporate some of the biggest trends of 2019.  

Start with the Heart of your Home, the Kitchen 

One room where design trends are always rapidly changing is the kitchen. By the time you build a kitchen, it’s already out of date. Get ahead of the game with some of these kitchen features. 

• No Upper Cabinets. What? But where will I store all my stuff? Enter, the minimalist. Home designs are trending toward minimalism and decluttering. Pear down your possessions to the things you really need. This is not just a trend for small urban apartments; it’s happening everywhere. Lower storage cabinets are for your small appliances, pots and pans, and other odds and ends. Open shelving is the new form of vertical storage, showcasing big items like colorful bowls, canisters, and pottery.  
• Black and Bold Colored Appliances. Stainless steel is out, I’m afraid. Black appliances are coming back and bright colored retro-style appliances are in. Stoves, ovens, refrigerators, and more are available in bold colors to make a definitive statement in your kitchen. 
• Elaborate sinks. Another area where stainless steel is long gone and even porcelain is old news. Brass, gold, silver, and other bold medals in hammered and elaborate finishes are replacing the old trend, turning functional elements into style elements.  

Bathroom Trends for the Next Most Important Room in your Home 

We also spend a lot of time in the bathroom, and style trends are ever-changing in these essential rooms. Homebuilders in Greensboro are incorporating some of the same design elements from the kitchen in bathrooms. 

• Fancy Metal Sinks. The hammered metal sinks that are popular in kitchens are also present in bathrooms with similar finishes and designs in the bowl itself as well as faucets and handles. 
• Bold Glass Shower Doors. The shower stalls of 2019 will no longer be clear as geometric patterns and colored glass take effect, giving ordinary bathroom features an extraordinary new look.  

House-wide Design Trends that you can Incorporate Anywhere 

Some designs aren’t relegated to just one room of the home. There are color pallets, tones, and textures that can be woven into any room.  

• Shades of Blue. Blue is in in a variety of shades. Paint a wall, an entire room, or just add a blue accent rug.  
• Bright Colors. Black and white and neutral colors are being replaced with bold, even primary colors used in combination. Paint, appliances, accessories, and furniture are adding a vibrant element to interior décor.  
• Brass Accents. Brass is coming back in variety of ways, such as light fixtures, furniture, sinks, hardware, and accent pieces.  

Get Ahead of the Curve on your Custom Home Design 

Do you want your new custom home to be on the cutting edge of structural and interior design? The top home builders in Greensboro, such as R&K Custom Homes, stay up to date with current home trends. Build with R&K and get a jump start on 2019 designs. Call for a free consultation: (336) 643-3505.