Find a Buyer's Agent to represent you

A nation survey showed the number one complaint registered by homebuyers after purchasing a new home was lack of representation and knowledge. Therefore your most important decision is finding a reputable local Buyer's Agent to advocate for you. Why would you enter into a 30 year commitment with a contractor without representation? The builder's Agent is motivated to sell the home, even a custom home, at the highest possible price. As a Buyer's Agent, we are duty bond to get the most out of every dollar you will be spending. Other considerations in buying a custom home are outlined below.

What's in the budget?

When building a custom home, there are many items that go into the final purchase price. They include the lot, architectural design, interior design, foundation, framing, air conditioning and heating, electrical, plumbing, pre-wire, cabinetry, brick and stone, insulation, flooring, appliances, paint and wall coverings, and lighting, among others. I have tried to cover all of these items here. Take your time and make as many of these decisions as you can before you sign a contract to build a home.

I recommend leaving 5-10% of the purchase price of the home unbudgeted so that you can afford changes you think of during the building process. For example, if your budget says that you can afford a $240,000 home, make sure that your Exclusive Buyer's Agent has you sign a contract to to exceed a $225,000 home. This will leave $15,000 for all of the things you didn't think of.

 Almost every new custom home in El Paso worth the money will have:

    * back yard patio
    * front desert landscape
    * granite countertops
    * wood or tile floors (often hand-scraped)
    * brushed nickel fixtures
    * pre-wire for sound and computer network
    * refrigerated air
    *tankless water system
    *refrigerated air
    *water softener system
    *wood shutters
    *Solid wood cabinets
    *alarm system
    *stainless steel appliances
    *10'- 12' ceiling

Chosing a lot

The Lot

Before you can design your home, you need to know how much space you will have on which to build. You need to choose a lot. There are many things you need to consider before purchasing a lot. I'll cover as many as I can think of but it is best to ask your Exclusive Buyer's Agent for the plat map of the area you are interested in.

Location

If you have lived for some time in the vicinity of where you want to build, you might think that you know all you need to about the location. Let me suggest, however, that you probably don't. I recommend seeking the wise counsel of an experienced Buyer's real estate agent. Obviously, if you are new to an area, you will definitely want the help of an EL PASO REALTOR. A real estate agent can help you find out:

    * The average sales price of homes in the neighborhood
    * Local El Paso Preferred Lenders for luxury homes
    * The property taxes for the lot
    * The price of the lot if a builder owns it
    * The quality of the schools  
    * Homeowners association dues and covenants
    * Do not turn to the builder's rep. for advice since he/she already represents the builder and is motivated to sell the home at the highest possible price.

Front elevation advantages:
    * Most new construction in El Paso Tx are built with no alley access
    * More neighborhood friendly. You see your neighbors more.
    * Safer at night.
    * Great curb appeal, but often more expensive, garage doors.
    * Larger back yard.

Lot Direction

What direction do you want your lot to face? In El Paso this is an important question because our summers are very hot. The hottest part of the day is the late afternoon while the sun is setting in the west. During the day, the sun does not pass directly overhead while going from the east to the west. It actually passes by in the south part of the sky. For this reason, the sides of your house that get the most sun and heat are the west and south. If you would like maximize shade in your backyard in the late afternoon and early evening, you will want your back yard to face east and north.

If you want certain rooms to have windows with no window coverings, then you need to pick your lot carefully and do a good job with porches and landscaping. Think about where the sun will be in the mornings and evenings. You don't want to be blinded in your family room every morning or evening by the sun. Which direction your home will face will be crucial. Although, the best custom builders have great floor plans that address these concerns.

Decisions

As with any decision in the custom home building process, choosing a lot is not very easy. You are picking the location of your home for the next 1-20 years. Whatever you do, don't build your dream home in a location that you are going to hate in two years. You don't want to spend six months to two years building a home and then decide to move because you don't like the location.  This is another area where your Buyer's Agent will advise you best.  For example she/he will discover what the surrounding construction will be zoned for.

You will need to mitigate the anxiety and second guessing you may experience by rely on the advise of the experience real estate professionals working in your best interest.  Sometime even after you move in, you may experience the second-guessing because every time you live in a new home, you will think of things that you would have done differently. Instead, just like any long term commitment, rest in the choices you've made and spend more time enjoying your family and friends.