It's a common question: Should you build or buy your dream home? If you've been trying to decide which route to take, then you probably already know there are pitfalls to watch for with either one, and advantages as well. Deciding whether to build or buy your home shouldn't be done lightly. In this blog, you'll find some mistakes and red flags to avoid for both.
Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your Home
You already know that you want someone who graduated with honors from an architectural school that is not only accredited but reputable. However, there are some mistakes that you want to avoid when building your home as well.
Planning Your Space Poorly
Unless you have talked to your architect and plan to build a huge home, design and space planning is crucial to your success and happiness in your new home. The way to do this is by determining what is needed and what isn't. Of course, you want a lot of storage, but do you really need that massive walk-in closet in the master bedroom or can you go a little smaller and add more room for the master bath. Make sure that you have plenty of closets, such as in the halls and bedrooms, but don't put so many that it will take up living space that you're going to need. The last thing you want is to feel cramped in your newly built home!
Planning Your Lighting Poorly
Have you ever walked into a room and squinted because there isn't enough light or wished you had more windows in the den so you could open them to the spring breezes outside? This is your chance to get the lighting in your home right. Make sure to add plenty of outlets and light fixtures when designing your home and plenty of windows as well. Natural light, when at all possible, should be the main lighting in your home. For example, adding a skylight to the bathrooms and living room can let the light shine in and save on your energy bill at the same time.
Red Flags to Look for When Purchasing Your Home
If you want to live the San Diego area, for example, and have decided to check into Del Mar houses for sale, instead of building your home, there are a few important things you should look out for during tours and open houses.
The House Smells Too Good
While there is nothing wrong with a batch of cookies sitting on the counter or a few candles lit along your tour, you want to be careful of strong, overpowering scents in a house you're considering buying. The stronger the smell, the more likely something is being covered up with that scent. Make sure to smell each room you go into and inspect the walls and floors for pet accidents and signs of mold or mildew.
A Poor Tiling Job
While you're probably going to want to retile the house at some point, there are more significant issues to consider if the tile in a home you're considering looks poorly done. Inspect the floors in the bathrooms and kitchen for gaps and tiles that might be even slightly uneven. These are signs that DIY tile jobs might have taken place, and are covering up more major flooring issues that will cost you big on down the line.
When it comes to your dream home, you need to take the time to research and plan carefully. Whether you decide to build or purchase your house, looking for the red flags and avoiding the mistakes above can save you a ton of money in the end.
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