Building an Affordable Dream Home in the Carolinas

Building a dream home in one of the most coveted places to live does not have to be a budget-buster. With proper planning and a home builder who offers the most bang for your buck when it comes to features and options, building an affordable dream home in your desired Carolina community can easily become a reality.

Planning, Preparation and Patience

When it comes to the development of your new home, patient planning and careful consideration are the critical building blocks of success. Take the time to exercise due diligence for all phases of the planning stage, from choosing the right neighborhood, to floor plans and future needs. Be sure to leave no stone unturned in this critical stage or it could come back to haunt you – and your new home.

Pre-packaged vs. Custom Home Designs

This is one area that can truly save you a lot of money – and time. For cost and affordability purposes, selecting pre-packaged plan options from a builder is typically the most frugal way to go. Although building custom may seem ideal, it does require hiring an architect to draw out floor plans and develop blueprints. All of that work does not come cheap, and it takes a considerably more amount of time to complete than if you were to select a pre-packaged plan.

Lots and Land

Where you build can make a huge difference in the cost of your new home development. Beware of cheaper lots that can actually end up being more expensive in the end. Choose a place that is in close proximity to electric, gas and public water lines. Also, consider lots that require less removal of debris, such as rocks and trees. All of this can add up to big bucks so remember step one and do your land homework.

Keep It Compact

Compact homes are far less expensive to both build and maintain. Although lifestyle and future needs (raising a family or retiring) will dictate whether you have a split-level versus a flat ranch home, for all intents and purposes, the more compact - smaller and taller - the more cost effective. Also worth considering is the shape of the home itself. Funky shapes with intriguing lines will cost far more to build than square or rectangular floor plans.

Pay Only for Livable Space

During your search for a new home builder be sure to find out exactly how they calculate the cost of the space you are paying for. Attics, basements, walls, stairs, garages and other “phantom” (non-livable) space are considered differently per builder. Knowing how area and volume are measured can make a huge difference in the cost of your new home building project.

Check the Recycle Bin

One of the best ways to cut building costs is to use recycled materials. Not only do they save money, the earth and environment will thank you for it. You may also want to consider a trip to the architectural salvage warehouses that house hundreds of items such as wrought iron fencing, doorknobs and light fixtures. Although a bit more laborious in terms of the salvage shopping, this option can drastically reduce home building costs.

Energy Efficient, Energy Star

While a bit more costly to install than non-efficient items, in the long run, going energy efficient will save a great deal of money over time. Green homes equipped with items such as solar panels and Energy Star appliances will greatly reduce utility bills, leading to significant savings for many years to come.

True Homes is a new home builder with locations in Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina. To learn more about building your dream home in our more than 60 True Homes communities across the Carolinas, visit our website at www.truehomesusa.com or give us a call at 704-271-1191.