How to Work Within Your Budget and Still Get the Home of Your Dreams
Open floor plans, big front windows and a walk-in closet—sounds like a heavenly dream, doesn’t it? If you are struggling in today’s economy, like many people are, planning the dream home may seem like nothing more than that—a dream.
While building your dream home requires careful planning, it can become a reality if you do it the right way. As a custom home builder in Cumberland County, PA, we’ve shown countless customers that it is possible to get the home of your dreams while staying within your budget. There’s just a few things that you need to keep in mind.
Know your budget
It’s easy to get carried away when planning a house. It’s important to know your budget and make a commitment to stick to it. While housing, whether that’s a mortgage or rent, typically takes the biggest chunk of your net income, a good rule to stick to is the 28 percent rule. Your mortgage should not exceed 28 percent of your net income. While you may feel you can afford more than this, you should ask yourself whether having the more expensive tile for the backsplash in the kitchen is worth the financial stress.
Stick to the dream
When building a custom house, it’s important to decide what you need versus what you want or, if it’s easier to think about it this way, what will give you the biggest return on investment, either in usage or added value. For example, a third bathroom may be nice, but if you only have a family of four, it may not be worth the added cost. Don’t let yourself get carried away with the planning process—know what you want and stick to it.
Choose a contractor wisely
When looking to build a new home, it’s important to get several bids and shop around for a custom home builder in Cumberland County, PA that’s a good fit for your personality and your needs. You want to find someone that respects your wishes, is willing to stay within your budget, and won’t pressure you into things you don’t need.
Recycle materials
Many times other builds have perfectly good materials lying around. If you know where to look, and how to ask, you can reuse these materials for your own build. You can also talk with your contractor about repurposing leftover materials in your own custom home build. You may be surprised how much money you can save by being smart with leftover materials.
Don’t give up on your vision for your dream home yet. With a little knowledge, planning and the right contractor, you can turn your dream home into a reality and do it within your budget. If you are looking for a custom home builder in Cumberland County, PA that you can trust to work with you and your budget, call WSL Incorporated. We listen to our customers, and you can be confident that we will respect your wishes and your budget. To learn more, simply call us today!