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Building the Best Home for You

As you are building your dream home, you may not end up getting everything you want. However, with careful planning and prioritizing, you should be able to get everything you need, with a few extras as well.

By Rick DelgadoPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Location

The old saying is true: the most important thing in real estate is location. If you have kids, look at school zoning boundaries. Smaller children will benefit from playgrounds in the area, while older children may be more interested in skateparks and ball fields. If you own large dogs but do not plan to purchase much land, you might want walking trails and dog parks close by. Unless you work from home, you should think about your commute. In 2018, the average commute in the U.S. was almost half an hour. That may not sound like much but such a commute adds an hour to each workday, more on snowy days and during road construction.

Energy Efficiency

It makes sense to build the most energy-efficient home possible. Installing solar Denver is the ideal first step, considering that the city averages more than 3000 hours of sunshine per year. With this one move, you can slash your power bill yet remain on the city power grid. Make the energy go further by optimizing your heating and cooling systems. During the build, opt for the best insulation you can afford. Install energy-efficient windows and shades. Include multiple heating and cooling zones, all controlled by a smart thermostat. Install ceiling fans in the living room and all bedrooms. When purchasing appliances, look at their energy ratings. Lastly, all lights should have LED bulbs, which use a fraction of the power traditional bulbs do and last much longer.

Perfect Size

You may be tempted to build the largest home you can afford, but think about how you like to spend your time. When you are the one doing the cleaning and maintenance, bigger is not always better. Remember that your living space is not confined within the walls of the house. If you like to entertain outdoors, you may enjoy a large front porch or an elaborate backyard deck. If you have mobility issues, you are best off with a single-story house. However, if you do not mind stairs, look at two-story designs. Two-story homes are more affordable to build, because the foundation and roof are the most expensive parts to construct. The smaller footprint of the house also gives you more square footage on less land. This means you can either purchase a smaller piece of property, or use more of the parcel for landscaping, gardens or a pool.

Optimal Upkeep

When deciding on finishes, keep an eye on the future. The more difficult an item is to redo, the more thought you should put into it now. Install the most durable flooring you can. For many homes, this means engineered hardwood. It comes in almost unlimited colors and finishes, so you can be sure to find an option that suits your taste. It lasts for decades, requires little maintenance and is easy to clean. When professionally installed, many floors come with a substantial warranty. Brushed finishes — on flooring, cabinet pulls, doorknobs and faucets — require less cleaning than shiny or glossy surfaces. You should also splurge on the best exterior finishes you can; you may find premium siding or extra thick stucco worth some extra money now, to save you time and money on upkeep later.

Budget

This is where some people start, and it is important. However, it should not be your primary consideration. If your budget requires it, save money later while purchasing furniture; but do not cut corners during the build. You stretch the payments out over many years, and there are creative financing options. Eventually, you will forget the details of your expenditures — but you will live every day with the choices you are making now. It is almost always worth a little extra money at the start to build a home you truly love.

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