Still searching for your dream home? The real estate market can be tough to navigate and difficult to find a house that has everything you want and need – especially when you have a specific location, limited budget, or unique wish list in mind. But don’t worry! You can always build your perfect home.
Building a home may be easier and more cost-effective than you think. You may not have considered building a home because you think it’s expensive or time-consuming. But one of the biggest advantages of building a home is that you can get exactly what you want and that fits in your price range.
Plus, building a home doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. Many Calgary new home builders have award-winning plans that you can customize to suit your family and lifestyle. If you choose the right builder, they’ll even move walls to make it happen.
Below are some of the ways to get the most out of building your new home and ensure that you move into a home you love.
1. Design your Kitchen with Purpose
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s often the most utilized room in a house and needs to not only look good but function in a way that works best for you. This is why many home buyers are quick to upgrade and change it when building a new home.
All kitchens share common characteristics like a refrigerator, sink, and stove. But that’s where the similarities end. Your family may not be the same as everyone else. Maybe you need a larger or second kitchen because of the way you cook, or a larger island to add more seating to accommodate your large family.
Besides, you don’t want your home to look like every other one on the block. Customizing it by adding some personal touches will make your kitchen stand out from the rest. You can find harmony in both function and beauty within your budget.
If the kitchen is important to you, make sure you find a builder who will customize it and include the upgrades you want. Here are just some of the ways you can upgrade a kitchen.
2.Upgrade Your Ensuite to a Spa
Your budget might not reflect that of a luxurious spa bathroom, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. There are plenty of ways to bring the feeling of being at a spa into your new home. Whether you’re hoping to turn your ensuite into your little oasis or make a couple of changes to make it what you want, these ensuite upgrades will transform your new bathroom and make every day a spa day.
3. Pick Your Exposure
“Location, location, location” may be what every realtor talks about, but the importance of exposure when it comes to your new home cannot be overstated. Exposure (also known as orientation or aspect) refers to the position of a house on its site and can have a significant impact on factors such as sunlight exposure, energy efficiency, heating and cooling costs, home maintenance, and energy flow.
When selecting a lot for your new home, be sure to take exposure into consideration. While one exposure is not necessarily better than another, there are pros and cons to each exposure–north, south, east, and west, and knowing them allows you to make an informed decision.
4. Move a Window (or Two)
One of the quickest ways some builders ruin the home building experience is by not letting homeowners take advantage of a picture perfect view. Window placement plays a crucial role in a home’s overall design and connection to the outside. They’re necessary for thermal control, energy efficiency, and adequate natural light to name a few. How they’re arranged can contribute to the style, function, and enjoyment of your home or work against it.
Some builders don’t allow for any customization, a top home builder may allow for some alternations, and an exceptional one will ensure your home beautifully captures a view or whatever matters most to you.
5. Custom Lighting in Your Home
Lighting is so important for setting the mood in a room – it can make you feel warm and cozy, or bright and energetic. By Illuminating different areas of the room, you can guide people’s eyes around, showing off architectural features or simply changing the atmosphere. That’s why it’s important to customize your lighting to get exactly the right look and feel for your home.
6. Bump Out to Add Space for Less
Love a floorplan, but need a little extra space? Consider a bump out! A bump-out is a small extension that can increase your total square footage without being a full or multi-room addition. Generally, it involves pushing out the exterior wall of a single room by one or two feet without breaking the bank. It might be just the right addition, especially if you only need a little more space in one room for a specific purpose.
7. Deck for Entertaining
A deck is the perfect place for outdoor entertaining, cooking, and relaxing. Whether you’re cooking up a storm on the grill, enjoying some al fresco dining, or simply soaking up some Vitamin D, a few strategic additions can help your deck reach its full potential. Consider installing features like a grilling area, lighting fixtures, and privacy screens for the ultimate backyard oasis.
8. Park Infront of Your House
When searching for a new home in Calgary, don’t forget to consider parking! It may not be listed as an amenity, but it’s definitely an important factor. After all, you don’t want to be stuck searching for a parking spot every time you come home. So make sure to ask about parking before you sign on the dotted line.
When you can’t find what you want, build it. And if you can’t customize your new home or make changes to it, then you should ask yourself if you have the right builder.
