Whether you’re building a detached garage or a custom new home it is important to have a good picture of what you want it to look like.   People often have an idea of the style of home they’re looking for and they typically have a wish list of what the layout might be. 

Communicating these desires to a custom home builder is another matter. Three-dimensional home design software has been around for more than 20 years and in the last ten years has become first-rate; there’s no longer any reason to rely on two-dimensional drawings. This software (of which there are several options) will give you a sense of the luxury home construction right down to the grain and stain of the kitchen cabinets and what knobs are the best match.

We frequently have clients who look at a home lot and cannot imagine where to place their custom home or how the finished result will look.  With this tool you can include your topography and trees, and even add landscaping providing you with a good idea of how your new custom home will look on your property. 

 

In this example, the client wanted to turn the house for the best views and also have large windows in an in-ground basement.  She was able to have a reasonable idea of the outcome before the first shovel went in the ground.

This software enables you to “walk” through your custom built home with a virtual tour before your home construction even begins.  There is no better way to discover that you don’t like the style or placement of a window or that your furniture doesn’t fit.  It’s also useful for remodeling, interior design, kitchens and baths, even decks and landscaping.  Needless to say, it is definitely easier and cheaper to try out new ideas before actual new home construction starts. 

If you purchase a house plan on the internet or choose a model from a builder, ask for a 3-D version so that you can see what those rooms actually look like and how the home will appear on your property.  The key is to find a designer/architect/builder who uses this technology. 

Or, for smaller projects, you can purchase a simplified program and do it yourself!

So you’re thinking of building a new home in Loudoun.  What should you do first?  Buy land?  Hire an architect? Or hire a builder?

Land (as in single lots, not large tracts) is selling again and prices are on the rise, so your first impulse might be to run out and start on the land purchasing process before it gets too pricey.

Then again, you might not be quite ready to make that commitment.  It might sound more appealing to sit down with an architect and put your dreams on paper

Realistically, a custom homebuilder is in the best position to help you set up a budget for your land and house, with a clear knowledge of all the parts and pieces involved.  Architects have vision but most are not aware of the hard costs of the components in your custom home.  All too often, customers have brought us plans for new custom homes that they will never be able to afford

We also frequently see customers who have paid dearly for a piece of land without knowing whether it is buildable or what the cost of improvements (well, septic, driveways, grading, etc.) might be.  Take for example the client with the beautiful view from the mountainside who would never be able to get a concrete truck up the hill without spilling its contents

So, I recommend that you talk to a builder first.  A good builder will get an idea of the level of quality you want in your new custom home and the home lot size you are looking for.  With that information we can give you an idea of the cost of building a home.

Then you’re ready to talk to a mortgage banker who can determine what you can afford and can explain the unique construction-to-perm financing that you’ll need for this project.

Now you’re ready to look for that land.  Find a realtor familiar with the land listings in the area you want to live and start exploring the countryside.  Once you’ve found the property of your dreams you’re ready to sit down with an architect, budget in hand, and design a home that best fits that home lot as well as your desires.

Finally, you can return to the builder to bring your dreams to reality.  Be sure you find a builder who will help you navigate the process and who will build you a high-quality, energy-efficient custom luxury home that will last.