Buying a home is a significant hurdle for many people and can be quite difficult. There are only so many houses on the market, and they sometimes don't mesh well with your vision. Many opt to build their first home but don't fully understand what they're doing. Read on to learn about the common mistakes people make when building their first home.
Miscalculating Time and Money
One common mistake almost everyone makes with a home, whether they're building it or buying it, is underestimating how much it will cost. Giving yourself enough time to build everything how you want isn't easy. Many outside variables can interfere with a carefully planned construction schedule. These variables make it critical to account for wiggle room, and a lot of it. You can always encounter different variables, like:
- Change in material costs
- Labor shortages
- Extreme weather
- Lack of materials
- Pests and wildlife
Any of these can derail your project by weeks or months if you're not careful. Plan for all of this in advance so nothing surprises you in the middle of construction.
Style Diversity
Another mistake many homeowners make is being so set on a specific style that they fail to consider the other options. For example, many people are set on building a bungalow and don't even acknowledge a ranch-style home. These two home styles are similar, but there is a significant difference between ranch-style homes and bungalows that every person building a home should know.
You must plan for everything and calculate time and financial resources, but in this planning phase, feel free to experiment and find the best home style for you. Pouring foundation is one thing you need to get done early, but don't spend forever worrying about decorations. You shouldn't fret about some of the minute details, but weigh your options carefully when it comes to the style of your home!
Building Materials
A common mistake people make with their first homes is using cheaper materials to try and stay on a budget, losing sight of the long-term potential of their homes. Many homeowners will opt for the cheapest material to stay within budget. Later down the line, they'll encounter the need for renovations and repairs. Instead of going down this path, you should invest in the right materials and go a little further to make sustainable upgrades for your home.
Many people don't think about sustainability while constructing their homes, which can hurt them in the long run. Some great sustainable options that will require little maintenance include the following:
- Vinyl window frames
- Tile or asphalt shingles
- Plant-based polyurethane rigid foam
- Clay brick
Working with these materials can protect your home in harsh weather and are much more sustainable than other building materials.
Don't make these common mistakes when building your first home. Learn from others' mistakes and build the home of your dreams. It won't be easy, and you'll need to do a lot of planning and preparation to ensure everything goes smoothly, but it will all be worth it in the end. After everything, you'll be able to enter your dream home, kick back, and relax.
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text Here
Never miss an episode of our real estate podcast. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube
