A question we’re commonly asked, in the home construction business, is: is getting a custom home more difficult than buying outright? Many people are under the impression that buying a custom home is somehow a harder process than simply scouring the market for something you like. Let’s break down the processes here and talk about what’s the same and what’s different.
From Decision to Move-In
The first thing to consider is the difference between both processes from start to finish. That may sound like the whole thing, but it’s far from it. From the beginning of your house-buying journey to the day you move in, buying a custom home and one on the market are very different processes.
When buying a home on the market, you may have to wait a few weeks for the old homeowners to vacate. However, this time period is usually short and will be listed up front. There’s the matter of getting a mortgage and all of the packing and moving you would expect.
On the other hand, when buying a custom home, the process will take longer, usually. Because you have to give your team time to help officialize the home design and then bring it to life, the process can take many months. Construction isn’t something we recommend rushing, so it’s wise to enter the custom home-buying process with some patience.
Location Flexibility
One of the biggest differences when buying a custom home over a house on the market is the flexibility in location. When searching for an existing house, it can be really difficult to find a layout you like in a location you also like. Proximity to work, school district, and quality of neighborhood are all important variables. You may find the perfect house in a really bad location, or the perfect location with only shoddy houses for sale.
However, when buying a custom home, it’s much easier to get both the house and the location you want. It’s much easier to find an empty lot or property to build on in a neighborhood you like than it is to find an existing house in that same area that meets all of your needs and expectations.
Long-Term Satisfaction
Next up, let’s talk long-term satisfaction. This one may seem broad as well, but we’re going to narrow it down to the house design. Cookie-cutter, suburban homes are often a one size fits all situation. However, in reality, houses being one size fits all couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone has different needs when it comes to their personal living space. When we try to fit ourselves into the box offered by the suburbs, we end up unhappy and longing for something more… us.
Because of that, we find that customers who buy custom homes have a much higher rate of long-term satisfaction. That’s because buying a custom home allows you to personalize the entire design. You’re able to outfit your house with everything you see as vital. If you need more closet space, wider hallways, a more open concept main floor, an office space, or even a personal library, you can have it. When’s the last time you saw a house on the market with everything you needed? What stopped you from putting in an offer?
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Want to know more? We’re not done yet! Check out Part 2 here and we’ll discuss the nitty gritty details of buying a custom home.
