When searching for a new home, you have several options to consider. You can find an older home, or you can start fresh with a brand-new build! While buying an older house has the potential to save you money, it also means living in a space that countless others have called home. While you can personalize the home and make it yours, it won’t necessarily be unique to you. For this reason, many people decide to buy new construction homes. But what if you’d rather build a custom house in Dallas? What if you want the ultimate say in the design, layout, and features of your home?
If this is sounding like the right path for you, we think you’re making a fantastic choice. However, before you get ahead of yourself, let’s talk about a few things you need to consider. Keep reading for five factors you need to think about when building a house in Dallas.
- Your Budget
First and foremost, the most important thing you need to think about when building a custom home is your budget. The longevity of your financial well-being is vital to leading a happy, comfortable life.
Recent studies show that nearly 63% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Avoid becoming part of this statistic by managing your home-building budget wisely. Don’t overextend yourself or max out your limit, which can make things difficult for you in the future.
Get Pre-Approved
It’s also a good idea to get approved for your home loan before you sit down with any custom home builders. You will need to know how much money you can get approved for. Getting pre-approved will give you an accurate idea of how much you can afford, what your monthly payments will be and the interest rates and terms you can expect.
Failing to get approved beforehand can lead to multiple complications. For example, you may design a home you’re not qualified for. If you need more money or better terms, consider taking a few months to improve your credit score before applying for your next home loan.
Playing it Safe
Finally, once you’ve been approved for a home loan and are entering into negotiations with contractors to build your home in Dallas, you’ll need to maintain your loan eligibility. Try not to change anything with your personal finances. This includes:
- Getting a new job
- Charging things on credit cards
- Taking out a loan to buy furniture
- Buying a new car
- Etc.
Small changes in your financial status could disqualify you for the loan you were once approved for. If you change jobs, the lender will want to see several months of paystubs to ensure you have a consistent income. These issues can significantly delay the process.
- Location
Next, you need to figure out the best possible location for your new home. Homesites in University Park, Highland Park and Preston Hollow are highly coveted.
The area provides close proximity to offices, shopping centers, coffee shops, and restaurants. Ultimately, your location depends on your lifestyle.
Children
Additionally, if you have kids (or plan to in the future), you need to think about their needs. For example, this may mean finding a location with a playground or park nearby.
Finally, think about school districts. Dallas provides many private school options and has public education available. Proximity to the school you want can strongly determine where you decide to build a home in Dallas.
- Size of the Home and Lot
Before building or buying a home in Dallas, you also need to think about your family’s needs in terms of housing. How big of a house do you need? Are you accounting for the potential growth of your family?
If you’re like most people, you’ll want extra space to grow into. You’ll also need a decent amount of storage.
Furthermore, consider lot size when talking with custom home builders. Do you want a big backyard for hosting barbeques, playing with your kids or having pets? Moving to Dallas also means hot summers, so you may want extra space to potentially build a private pool.
- Layout and Features
Two of the most important things to consider with Dallas real estate are the features and layout of the house. How many rooms and bathrooms do you want? Do you want a luxury bathroom attached to the master bedroom? Do you need a home office?
Additionally, be sure to think about how you want your kitchen and living spaces set up. If you like to entertain, you need to make sure your house is designed to comfortably host parties and dinners.
What else is included in your dream home? What’s trending in Dallas? It could be:
- An outdoor kitchen
- A large patio or deck
- A big den or library
- Space for a mancave
- Multiple full bathrooms
- Extra storage space
- An oversized garage
- Media Room
- Etc.
Sit down with your family and make a list of your top priorities. Decide which features are non-negotiable for your new home in Dallas.
- Home Builders
Finally, you need to find the right custom home builders for your future house. Do some research before moving to Dallas.
Take the time to look at customer reviews from other homeowners. You should also browse through pictures of past projects to get a good idea of the builder’s style and workmanship.
Finally, sit down with prospective custom house builders to get a quote and talk through your options. Try to get an impression of their customer service and communication skills. Do you get the feeling that their top priority is to make sure you get everything you want?
Looking to Build a Custom Home in Dallas?
Are you moving to Dallas soon and looking to build a custom home? If so, we couldn’t be more excited for you. Real estate in Texas is some of the most affordable in the United States.
Furthermore, building a custom house in Dallas means you and your family can choose exactly what you want in your next home. What better way to live?
Contact us today to start talking about your dream home. Let’s work together to make your dream a reality.
