Trusst’s Custom Builders in Southport NC: Tips for Choosing Your Home’s Style

Choosing a new home for your family is not always an easy or straightforward process. When trying to decide on a home, there are an endless number of considerations to address, such as:

• Should you buy an older home or have one custom built?
• What are you looking for in a neighborhood?
• How much home can you realistically afford?
• What styles of homes are available?
• What special features do you need in your home?
• And more

In this month’s blog post, Trusst’s custom builders in Southport NC shed some light on choosing a new home and how to ensure you get what you really want.

Before You Start – Get Pre-Qualified

The first step in the home-ownership process is getting pre-qualified for a home loan. This simple process will immediately tell you how much you need to put down and how much home you can comfortably afford and this will help you dramatically narrow your search.

Odds are you probably already have a “vision” as to what your dream home looks like. Now is the time to start making a list of what you want in your home, including any specific features and the general location you prefer. Once you have that list made, make another list detailing the features you need in your home. This second list is the one you should use whenever comparing properties.

Choosing Between New and Old

According to current real estate data, eight out of ten homebuyers choose to purchase existing homes. This is because many consider the cost of having a new home built for them beyond their abilities, despite the fact that they make this decision without first researching their options. The truth is a new custom built home can sometimes cost less than an existing home.

When choosing a home, it is important to look at more than the upfront cost of the home. For instance, buying an older home may be initially less expensive, but how much money is it going to take to make any necessary repairs or updates? Does the older home have a new, energy-efficient heating and cooling system or will its system need replacing in a year? Replacing a home’s HVAC system can cost anywhere between five and ten thousand dollars depending on the size of the home.

The quality of the roof and windows will also come into play. Will the roof need to be replaced soon? If so, you can add ten to twenty thousand to the actual price of the home. Likewise, are the windows energy-efficient and well-sealed or will they need replacing soon? What about the plumbing; is it copper or corrosion-resistant PVC? Is the home’s electrical panel suitable for today’s family or will it also need to be updated in order to handle the demand of the modern family?

With a new, custom built home, everything is brand-new and under warranty so you can enjoy peace of mind once you move in. Of course, if you are considering a home to be built, will you have a place to stay while the home is being built and can you afford to pay your new loan payment alongside your current mortgage or rent?

What about Location?

The location of the home is one of the most important considerations for families, especially those with children still in school. What kind of neighborhood are you looking for? In most cases, older homes are located closer to the cities while newer homes are located outside of the city in the suburbs. Then again, there are many older homesteads available with plenty of land and because Trusst Builder Group is an on-your-land builder, you can also opt to have your custom new home built anywhere you purchase land. Ultimately, your choice of location comes down to what’s most important to you.

If you prefer a relaxing, family-friendly community in a coastal setting, then Southport NC is the perfect place to start your home or property search. It also offers easy commuting, excellent medical and emergency services, strong public services and a good variety of newer and older homes.

Size and Type

The size and type of your home is going to be somewhat limited by your budget, but it helps to have an idea of how much home your family needs. For instance, you should look ahead to the future to help you determine your family’s needs. If you have two small children now, then you will want to ensure the home you buy has enough rooms to give them each their own bedroom in the near future. Likewise, once they get older, will one bathroom be enough?

Or, if your kids are older and on their way out of the home, do you really need a property with a lot of land? What about parking for when they get old enough to drive? Ideally, you should look at least five to fifteen years into the future to help make sure the home you buy now will meet your needs for at least some time into the future.

Essential Features

Your home’s essential features are those that will be listed on your “needs” list. This can include things like central air conditioning, a wheelchair-friendly floorplan, a laundry facility, a garage, an enclosed porch, a second bathroom, or in-wall wiring for a high-speed Internet connection for your home business or more. These are things that you simply can’t do without in your new home. Having this defined list will help you and your real estate agent find the best possible property candidates for your family.

Get the Home You Need and Want with Trusst Builder Group

Trusst Builder Group is one of the most experienced and trusted custom builders in Southport NC and the surrounding area. We can help you design and build the home of your dreams so you can give your family the home they need and want while staying within your budget. We build in several of North Carolina’s most prestigious planned communities and because we’re an on-your-land builder, we also have the ability to build your new home wherever you decide to purchase land. If you are in the market for a new home, call us today at 910-371-0304 to schedule a professional consultation. We can help you choose the best floorplan for your family in the neighborhood that meets all of your needs.