Building, Buying or Selling, What's First...
...Which came first - the chicken or the egg? Good Question. What should come first - selling or buying? Good Questions. I wish I had a nickel for every time I am involved in the "what if we have to move before our new home is finished" consultation. If you are reading here for an answer to that question you will be disappointed. There is no answer that satisfies everyone.

CONSIDER THE MARKET IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. If you hold off the marketing of your home because of the timing of your construction, will you pass the market peak? What if your home doesn't sell by the time your new home is finished? What will the three mortgages cost you? (The mortgage on your present home, the bridge loan and the new home loan). What is the average days on the market statistic in your area for homes in your price range?

WHAT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU MOVE TWICE? Let's assume your offer comes in too soon. They want your home now--not later. compute the cost of renting and moving twice, compared to the holding costs if you can't close another buyer before your home is finished. Statistically, owning an extra home costs on average $2,000 per month, depending on your mortgage payment. Consider the cost of the gamble and proceed accordingly.

For more on building, go to the online directory for building and home improvement products and information www.build.com. It is a business site. Start here and look for other related links on the web such as:
www.bobvila.com
www.yournewhouse.com

Building...
... I have heard it said, "If your marriage survives while you are building a home, you have it made for life!". That may be an exaggeration. It does, however, allude to the troubles that can pop up as you make reality of your dreams.

The first thing you have to do, of course, is find a place to build your home. But, you already know that. One of our kids found their lot and then picnicked there for a couple of years and brought their "Uncle Harry's" Ice Cream Cones out to the lot until they were ready to build. The best advice I can give you for your search process is to keep in touch with the REALTOR® of your choice, be patient, and the perfect spot will come along.

Next, pick your builder. Choose your builder by referral and reputation. Be sure to talk to past customers and check with organizations like the Better Business Bureau. I think there is a lot to be said for choosing a builder who routinely works in the area of your lot. I also think there is merit to working with a builder who uses local contractors for the major construction and mechanicals. If the guys who did the work live within your community, there is less anonymity and more incentive for the contractor to help you in case something isn't right after the closing. Just don't forget to get testimonials and do a good job of researching the builder before you sign on the dotted line. You might ask some of the local contractors in the area for their opinions, too. Tradespeople usually have had dealings with most of the builders who come into the area. They may have some good insight to help you make your choice. The REALTOR® who helps find your site may have recommendations, too. Some builders who work in my community are listed further on in this site.

After you have chosen your house plans and shopped and compared builders, sit down with your top choices for builders and compare package prices and services offered.

As a service to you, I am attaching a list of many components found in a home. A builder that I used to work with came up with the list. You will find that different builders give quotes based upon different criteria and quality. The model home that you are looking at is seldom the home that matches the base price. The base price may be $99,000, but, if you want door knobs, hinges, and "other luxuries", your home can end up costing thousands more than you were expecting.

Here is a list of most of the components of a home. Print it out and set up a comparison chart to help you when you seek quotes from the builders:

CONSTRUCTION PRICES AND FEATURES

ITEM

COMMENTS

PRICE

Basement and Foundation

dimensions (full/partial)

walls (block/poured)

exterior Styrofoam sheathing to frost line

sump pump system

sewer lateral

hung sewer plumbing

well

well pump/power/piping hook up

water softener

water heater: size / efficiency?

gas furnace: size / efficiency / humidifier?

windows

lights

electrical service

Kitchen

cabinets/drawers

cabinet/drawer hardware

counter top/length

counter top material

pantry (doors/shelving)

sink

faucets

garbage disposal

flooring (vinyl)

ceiling light hook up

light fixture/ceiling

range hood/external vent

(1) single width double hung window

hook up charges for: dishwasher, stove, refrigerator

Dinette

patio door

patio screen door

flooring type

ceiling light hook up

light fixture

half height partition to living room

partition to surface (oak)

Utility Room

door to kitchen

door to garage

door to outside

single width double hung window

flooring type

ceiling light hook up

stationary tubs

hook up dryer/washer, gas/electric

Living Room

heat circulating fireplace (inside/outside, to ceiling?)

mantle piece

carpeting

ceiling light hook up

fan hook up

bay window

bay bench

single or double width double hung windows

triple (sliding) window

Main Hall and Foyer

flooring

ceiling light hook up

light fixture

foyer closet doors (double sliding)

railing for stairway

Powder Room

toilet

cabinet/hardware

vanity/sink

faucet/hardware

medicine cabinet

mirror

lighting

towel rack

flooring

vent fan

Bathroom, additional

bathtub

shower stall/curtain rod, doors

toilet

cabinet/hardware

vanity/sink

faucet/hardware (sink)

faucet/hardware (shower)

medicine cabinet

mirror

lighting

towel racks (2)

linen closet (shelving/doors)

flooring

vent fan

window

Hallways (first/second levels)

carpeting

ceiling light hook up

ceiling light fixture

Master Bedroom

double hung windows

patio doors

carpeting

ceiling light hook up

ceiling light fixture

walk-in closet: ceiling light hook up, clothes racks, shelves

Same for additional bedrooms

Garage

2 car or 3 car

16' door

8' door

door trim (aluminum/vinyl/painted)

gravel fill under slabs

electrical service

electric door opener

service door

electric in garage

faucet in garage

sloped concrete for drainage

Exterior

2 x 6, 2 x 4 walls

wall insulation rating

ceiling insulation rating

roofing

siding (all sides except front alum/vinyl)

soffets (alum/vinyl)

window trim (alum/vinyl)

door trim (alum/vinyl)

contemporary "b" front

brick lower

cedar upper vertical panels (painted/stained)

narrow horizontals between columns (alum/vinyl)

gutters and downspouts (clad/ painted or galvanized)

front door

storm door

locks

porch light

exterior light by utility door

flood light in back

outside electric outlets

outside water faucets

Lot and Drive

driveway (gravel/paved)

culvert

grading front to form drainage ditch

grading rest of lot with swales along boundary sides and pitch away from house

strip soil

top soil

General

electric service (amps)

optional electric service

outlet/switch plates

all interior door/window trim (type of material and finish)

baseboard trim

interior doors and hardware

interior finish coat painting

floor construction - hardwood/floor board sheets

central air

shut off room heat registers

extra phone line/s for computer, etc.

door bell

3 phone jacks (master bedroom, kitchen, living room, more...)

cable

sewer hook up

laterals

electric hook up

220 amp service

gas hook up

telephone hook up and wiring

surveys

permits

Some local builders that you may wish to interview: