As the economy continues to recover, one place that people seem comfortable spending is on their homes — after all, money you put into home improvement is essentially an investment rather than an expense. This year we’ve seen a few new trends in home design.

Many factors affect the price that sellers ask for their properties. (Not all are logical) It is important to understand what motivates a Seller to establish the listing price. Here is a list of some of the basic considerations:

Once you’ve made the decision to move forward and buy land, the next logical question is “How much can you afford?”. To answer this, first you need to understand the difference between “Pre-Qualified” and “Pre-Approved”.
Whether modular construction, stick-built, or panelized, building a new custom home is most likely the largest single purchase you will ever make. If you are embarking on buying land for your new home, it makes sense to hire a realtor who will best represent your interests. But before you do, it is important to understand the various types of agency relationships.
Step 5: Obtain Estimate & Contract
The last step in preparing to build your custom home is to obtain a cost estimate and sign a contract. To find out what the average price is for a project, most homeowners opt to get at least three quotes from different builders.

When it comes time to develop the plan for a custom home, many of our clients come to us and ask – do I really need an architect? The answer is – probably.  A custom-designed home is created specifically for the family who will live there.  In most cases, custom-designed homes require the services of a licensed architect. Architects are licensed professionals. Like doctors and lawyers, they have completed university programs and lengthy internships, and they have passed a series of rigorous exams. Their training covers many areas, ranging from landscape design to structural engineering.

Step 3: Choose your Team

You'll need a team of experts to design and construct your house. Key players will include a builder, an excavator, a surveyor and a home designer or an architect. Many homeowners begin by selecting the builder or contractor. That professional then selects other members of the team. However, you may also opt to hire an architect or designer first (more on this in Step 4!).

Step 2: Choose your Lot

Whether you are building your home in a suburban development or a site with beautiful ocean views, you will almost always need to choose the land before you select floor plans or other details. You and the professionals you hire will need to investigate factors such as soil condition, drainage, zoning and building codes in the region.

Building a new home begins long before the foundation is poured. To help you avoid costly mistakes during the construction process, we’ve identified five important steps you should know about before you build. Last month I presented this topic at our Custom Home Buying Seminar to several prospects in Waltham, MA. It was well-received by an audience that is looking for guidance on this sometimes overwhelming process. Over the next five weeks, we will highlight a new step in the process and hope it is helpful to you as you think about building your new home.