Building a new home, adding to your existing home, or remodeling can be one of the biggest investments you ever make. Everyone has a budget to work with whether small or large, so one question is where or how to best spend that money on your unique project.
First on the list is the adage “location, location, location”. The best location you can afford is going to bring you the most long-term enjoyment and, depending on what you value as the ‘best’ location, provide the best long-term return on your investment. Best location can mean many things to different people, such as close to where you work or play, or a waterfront property, or in a desired school district. The wrong lot in a good location can be a nightmare though, so it is always advisable to have a builder walk the lot with you before making the purchase. Most of our client’s already have a home in a great location and it’s a matter of deciding what they want to do to improve the home or if tearing down the existing home and starting fresh is the best option.
Once you have the location, the next best use of your money is to invest in design services. I’m obviously a bit biased here, but firmly believe that investing in the services of a qualified architectural and interior designer will help bring you the most enjoyment in your new space and you’ll probably find a greater return on your investment down the road when you decide to sell.
As far as the actual home goes, one of the areas that is consistently rated as having the highest return on investment is the kitchen. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard someone complain of their kitchen being too large, with too much counter space and cabinets. Rather, a large part of our business over the years has been improving upon the generic kitchens in mass-produced homes.
Right behind the kitchen in importance is the primary suite. This is the owner’s retreat, a place to relax and unwind. Much like a kitchen, larger is almost always better and this is a great place to splurge on finishes. This too will be an important feature when it is time to sell the home.
Another often overlooked area, especially in production-built homes, is storage, or more specifically, closets. Don’t underestimate the value of large walk-in closets, linen closets, coat closets, and spacious laundry rooms. Much like kitchens, I’ve never heard anyone complain of having too much closet space.
If you invest your money in these places, you will experience great value for years to come. If you have a location in mind and would like our help evaluating the lot or already have the lot or home and are ready to start investing in a design that better suites your unique needs, give us a call. We’d love to help to design AND build your dream home.