How Much does it Cost to Build a House

"How much does it cost to build a house?" is the question we and home designers around the country are asked most frequently. Our answer is always the same, "It depends". There are so many factors that impact the cost of building a home; it's hard to pinpoint it with any accuracy before you get through the actual quote process with your builder. Actually, there are even a few factors that can't be determined until the actual building takes place.

To be honest, it is possible to estimate  :"the cost of building a house". The US Census Bureau provides an average cost per square foot of new construction both nationally and by geographic region. These are not precise figures and can vary by $20 or more per square foot. Therefore you must include room for variances in your budget. Factors impacting cost include where you live, the time of year you're building, the quality of materials you choose, and your lot, just to name a few.

Geographic differences can be significant. Homes in the Northeast tend to cost more than homes in the South. Why? The cost of materials is higher, the building season is usually shorter. The average contract price per square foot as published by the US Census Bureau shows a difference of more than $30 per square foot between the Northeast and South. Now consider whether you're building close to a metropolitan area or in a rural, less populated area of your state. We've seen prices vary by as much as $20 per square foot between towns only an hour apart. These factor wll determine the "average cost to build a house"

Your builder can influence the "cost of building a house". Let's face it, a "building contractor" provides a service. The type of service you want will impact the overall "cost of building a house". If you want a builder who is meticulous about every detail of your home, it will cost more than if you want a builder who will focus on getting your home up quickly. Some builders increase their prices during high demand periods. If building in your geographic area is seasonal, you may want to consider starting your home in the "off-season" to take advantage of a builder's down time, and hopefully, lower prices.

Lots can also bring on many hidden surprises. You don't know for certain what's underneath your feet until you actually start digging. If you are putting in a full basement, you may not discover ledge until you're several feet down. Now you have to add the cost of blasting. A well can also bring on unpredictable costs. Contractors cannot guarantee they will hit water at a certain depth. Even if the lot right next to yours hit water at 100 feet, that doesn't mean you will. You may suddenly find yourself spending a lot more (or if you're lucky, a lot less!) than originally planned.

Now, we'll get into those costs YOU can control. What type of heating and cooling system will your home have? Many eco-friendly systems are more expensive up front, although long term cost savings and environmental impact make them worth considering. Custom cabinets, granite countertops, one of a kind light fixtures and exotic hardwood floors - every choice you make will impact the cost of your home. Smart consumers will splurge on items that can't easily be upgraded after the house is complete - like a geothermal heating system. Then they choose standard faucets, light fixtures and other items which can be easily upgraded at some point in the future.

 
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These are just a small sampling of what impacts the "cost of your home". It would be great if you could slap a price tag on each plan and say this is the final cost to build your home, but then you wouldn't be able to customize it, make it your own. So be patient and flexible. Use the average square foot cost for your region as a starting point for your budget, but not as a final cost. Talk to local builders as they will give you a much more accurate picture of costs.

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"House Plans" for Building a New Home

An Ideal Home

New home building is not an easy project and using subcontractors, many workers and suppliers, and other professionals can be stressful. When you are supervising a construction project, like building a new home, requires a tried and true method and some knowledge of the construction industry. The process will involve home design, plans, and more. This can be very time consuming and can cause you a lot of stress, if not done properly. Just picking out home plans and supervising the construction project can be a big job. In order to be successful with your new home you need to plan each part of the project correctly and carefully.

House Plans

You will have to plan correctly if you want your new home to turn out as a success. Start with good blue prints and you will be able to supervise the project while watching television if you want to. You will have to be perfectly clear about the overall costs of the project so that you can make sure you can afford the entire project. The last thing you want is to run out of money before the project is complete.

The Art of Finding "Building Contractor"

You will most likely need to employ an architect and a builder, unless you are building in a subdivision tract. Subdivisions usually have a chosen builder and architect for you already. When looking for a builder you will be looking for an Owner Builder. So that you are ready to talk to a builder you need to know the following: How to avoid the model home trap that every big builder uses, How to keep your builder from using the assembly like construction techniques that they try to use. These will just get in the way of the craftsmanship you deserve. How to discover if your builder is telling you the truth about the quality of their work. This is where you need to be asking for references. You may also want to consult an attorney to give you the peace of mind you need when negotiating with your builder.

Finally the "Cost to build a house"

If you decide to be your own general contractor, then you can save yourself between 10 and 40% of the cost of building a new home. Home costs, how your home will look, and how energy efficient your house turns out to be will depend on how you plan it out on paper first. You need to set yourself a budget for your new home and stick to it. Make sure to pad it by about 10% so that you know you have enough money to finish the project.

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The Cost To Build A house

Building your own house is a dream come true for many. To determine the cost of building a house try using one of the many free building estimators that can be found on the Internet. This will give you a ball park figure, and a place to start.

The next step is to contact builders in your community. Know in advance the approximate square footage home you wish to build. Again, at this point in the process an estimate will suffice. The builder will inform you of his price per square foot. Certain features of your proposed home will be pricier than others. Of course, your plan will probably change later.

Check your neighborhood for homes with similar measurements as the home you propose to build. This scouting mission will give you an idea of the types of homes available that are like yours. Be sure to examine several homes. Once you know the cost per square foot multiply this figure to the cost of the home you are building. This gives you a pretty good idea of the cash outlay required.

 The shape of the home you wish to build does impact the building cost. A rectangle shape home is less expensive than a home with many angles and corners. The more bends the home possesses the more material required.

It goes without saying that the final cost, will be more than the original estimate. However, prudent planning can reduce some cost overruns. A good rule of thumb to follow is to allow 10% over the original bid to cover those unexpected costs.

In summary, contact a local builder. He will provide you with his cost per square foot price. Compare similar homes to the one you wish to build. Be sure to add 10& to the original contract to cover any over run costs.


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Building a Home

When it finally comes time to design, plan and create your dream home, after saving and moving through the real estate market until you're at the point where you can afford to build your own property and settle down with the family, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

With Christchurch's property market just starting to bounce back after the 2010/2011 earthquakes, now is a fantastic time to buy. The eastern suburbs are still experiencing plenty of instability and a lot of homes around 

New Brighton, Avonside and Wainoni are red-zoned, so looking toward Burnside, Riccarton and even Saint Martins or Cashmere with the future in mind is a good idea. All of these areas have access to fantastic schooling with Burnside High and Cashmere High two of the most popular public secondary schools in the city and having historically strong market trends and a strong future ahead of them.

How many bedrooms do you need?

Do you want a patio? How big do you want the living room windows? 

Do you want French sliding doors leading out to the backyard? 
There are so many different things to think of before you even get started with construction!

Make sure you think of a few of these design features before contracting a house builder in Christchurch to start your home.

Energy Efficiency

Double insulated glass windows and high quality insulation in the roof and walls will help cut your power bill down during Christchurch's cold winter months and will help regulate temperatures inside. It's a good idea to invest in an energy star rated hot water tank as well. If you want true energy efficiency, the build phase is the perfect time to install solar panels.

Heating 

A heat pump is almost a necessity in Christchurch with strict controls over home heating and open fires in place. With a properly insulated house and some careful thought on window and door placement in regards to airflow, you can save a lot of money during winter and keep the house cool during summer with just one unit.

Extra Space

More bedrooms mean more functionality as well as the potential for higher property value down the road. Build with the future in mind and consider everything from additions to the family to how much room the kids will need to study and have friends around when they get to high school. You always have to option to add on to your property later, but extensions can be expensive.

Choose the right property, take advantage of the current real estate market and build smart in Christchurch. Despite a less-than-positive initial outlook for the Garden City after the February earthquake, things are looking bright for the future.

Buying and Selling a house

If you are looking for an excellent means of making money, an investment property is a great option. Whilst you may not become rich overnight, you can build up your net worth steadily when you choose the right property. Generally, real estate values increase over time and if you choose a safe investment location you can't really go wrong.

Follow the six rules below to get the very best from your investment property.

1. Use Your Knowledge and Expertise

Have you already got knowledge about the vacation trade in various countries? Do you know about buying real estate and investment properties abroad? Are you already aware of the rules and regulations that exist with regards to property purchasing in your chosen location?

2. Keep An Open Mind

You probably won't be looking to sell an investment property directly after purchasing it. Most people choose to rent out their property for a number of years and then waiting to see how the market turns. Biding your time is often the best option and can net you a tidy profit.

3. Consider the Location

It's really important that you choose the right location for your investment. The Caribbean for example is doing very well right now and thanks to its abundance of investment options you can choose from a wide range of different properties in different island locations. Look for areas of high growth and good tourism. If you are planning on investing for a few years, check how well the area is doing and what the future plans are.

4. Take a Look At Rental Demand

Is there good demand for rental properties in the area? Are you going to have people interested in your property all year round or simply during the high season?

5. Try to Buy Your Property for Less Than the Current Value

If you really want to make some serious money, look for properties that are being offered for less than the current market value. Whilst these investment properties may need a little work you can usually make a profit that far outweighs the refurbishment costs.

6. Gather Financial Support

You'll of course need the money behind you to fund your purchase. Consider a property loan or mortgage and understand how much this will cost you each month. You may be able to apply rent directly to your mortgage.

An investment property can be an excellent way to make money if you have some capital already in place. If you can rent the property whilst waiting for the best time to sell you really have nothing to lose. 

How to Build a House

Being broke and cheap is harder than it looks. At least, that's my story anyway. For me, it was necessity which prompted me to learn cost-saving methods and almost-free ideas. And of course, I added to the ones my mother and her mother before her which had stood me well. So when I decided to stop paying rent and build some measure of wealth for my family, I didn't become suddenly uncheap. Oh no, I wanted to figure out how to build a home for less so I started brainstorming and came up with diy home building. Better known as do it yourself home building. I then took these steps:

Step 1: 
Find and buy the cheapest, most unrestricted land in an area that meets your needs! For me this wasn't too difficult. I found an old nearly rundown subdivision without ordinances anymore which although was very poor, it wasn't crime ridden and voila. Large lot 100' x 150' just waiting to be built upon. My cost is $775. Yes, I am that good and you can be too!

Step 2: 
If you have the cash, buy a large portable building. If you are like me, broke and cheap, rent-to-own a decent size one. This is the first building of your new home or perhaps the first section if you choose to build onto it. Since these buildings are only shells, they are fairly cheap. Either way, this is the beginning.

A portable building has so many possibilities to build a home for less, there is no way I could list them all in this short article. I found the smallest one I could live with to begin which costs $100 down and $167 monthly. Naturally, if you rent-to-own, you will be told not to alter the building. But seriously if you truly intend to keep it and you can afford the relatively tiny cost (when compared to renting or getting a mortgage), then I for one wouldn't let that stop me. This is going to be your home you will build for less, right?

Step 3: 
Insulate, put in electrical, and put in plumbing. So many books and articles exist on this subjects. Just pick one or more and follow along. Some of the best in diy home building are in Lowes and Home Depot. Some of the cheapest are online and at the library. Now since this building is so tiny compared to most homes with some scrounged parts, this part cost me less than $300.

Depending on how good you are at scrounging and how much of any type of misplaced "pride" you have when it comes to begging, your totals might be higher. But my total cost so far to begin (without the monthly "mortgage") is only $1342. And this is only the beginning of how to build a home for less. I'll let you know what happens next.

Hot Steps to Sell Your Property

If you are thinking of selling your property it is worthwhile to educate and prepare yourself by asking yourself and your partner the following questions:

Why are you thinking of selling?

There can be a number of reasons, why you have decided to sell. Maybe you want to downsize or upsize. 

What is my property worth? Before you hire an agent, do some initial research yourself. Go to some home opens in your suburb and see what you are competing against. This will give you an idea of where your property sits in the market. Find out what properties have sold for recently in your suburb and find out how long properties generally take to sell as the market changes. Your real estate agent can also help you with this.

What will it cost to sell my property? When selling a property you need to include settlement agent fees, marketing costs as well as agent fees. The costs depends on a number of factors and you are best to discuss this with your agent.

How do I price my property? Pricing of your property depends entirely on your marketing strategy. It is important to remember that the asking price does not automatically guarantee the selling price. If the property is priced too low, you will often find more offers in a short amount of time. With a good agent, you will then experience a final offer that may very well exceed your initial asking price. On the other hand, if you ask for too much, you will have less or no offers. You then run the risk that the market thinks that there is something wrong with your property and you will struggle to sell the property. It is therefore better to price your property lower rather than higher.

Should I renovate? The effort and hassle of renovations may not equal a higher sales price so be careful not to over capitalise. A $40,000 pool does not mean you can ask for $40-$50k more (more often than not, you devalue your property with a pool). Generally an impressive kitchen and bathroom is important when selling.

How do I choose the best agent? The best agent may initially be the most expensive and the agent who offers you the lowest appraisal. However, this agent could be the one who actually sells your property quickly, without providing you with unnecessary stress. The best agent is the honest agent as you will receive the correct info at all times so you can make an informed decision. Ask for testimonials or ask for the agent to go through what takes place in all phases of the selling process.

14 Tips To Make Your Property Sell Fast

 

If you have real estate that you wish to sell, you must be knowledgeable of the processes involved. There is, after all, lots of information available on the Internet. Who actually has time to sort through it all to find the best information? In the following article, you will be able to find the most pertinent information to help you sell your home.

Clean up youryard to boost your curb appeal. You may find decreased interest and lower offers if potential buyers drive up to unsightly trash bins, rusting outdoor patio sets, old greenhouses or compost bins that emanate odors.

You should think about any risks involved before getting involved with any investment. New investors usually learn about the negatives the hard way. Before you invest money into real estate, invest some time into learning about the industry.

Any type of pet will probably emit odors that will be detected by buyers who enter your home. While you may not notice any smell, outsiders can quickly determine if you are keeping a pet inside. You want to attempt to keep the house free of odors as much as possible, so your home appeals to all buyers.

As you get offers on your property, negotiate fairly with the person or family making the offer. You might think your house should fetch a particular amount of money, but you might not receive that. Ask your real estate agent for their professional advice on what amount is acceptable for you to take.

Make sure to use neutral colors when you are painting so buyers can imagine themselves living there. Create pleasant aromas by baking cookies and burning candles, and you can offer the potential buyers a treat as well. A warm and relaxed atmosphere will appeal to buyers. They will sense that people enjoy living in this home, and see that they would like it too, and decide to buy.

Adding somenew paint to the property is a small investment that may help it sell faster. Take a look around your property for things that aren't aesthetically pleasing. Tidy up your counter tops by putting away any small appliances after each use. While it may be more convenient to leave that toaster out, it can make your counter look cluttered and small.

Regardless of whether a person is interested in buying or selling real estate, whenever they venture into the market, they will benefit by clearing establishing what they expect to gain. Write out a list that includes budgets and property locations, as well as other important factors, so that everyone has a sound understanding of the situation. If a buyer sets a firm price and sticks to it, the chances of making a sudden, ill-advised purchase are greatly reduced.

If you are the caretaker of a dog, reduce the pet odors in your home by putting the dog outside whenever possible. Even small dogs can create odors of some kind. Chances are, you no longer notice the odor become you have grown accustomed to it. Regular use of carpet fresheners, traditional air fresheners, and the vacuum can help reduce the presence of the odors. A better option might be to get your carpets professionally shampooed prior to placing your home on the market for viewings. Buyers are more impressed by homes that smell clean.

Be sure to leave your home when a potential buyer comes to look at it. A buyer won't feel as comfortable if you are there. Having the owner watching over his shoulder will leave the buyer feeling poorly about the property. You don't want to do anything that could harm your ability to sell the home.

If you are considering selling commercial property, you should hire someone who specializes in this specific real estate. For example, you could choose someone who regularly sells restaurant sites, or someone who has a lot of experience selling office properties. Selling this sort of property can be complicated, and a real estate agent will be better equipped to handle what needs to be done.

Small kitchen updates can have big returns in the value and appeal of your home. For instance, update your appliances or change the design. Putting in a wood block in the middle as an island and then hanging storage above it is a great addition to any kitchen. If you cannot afford to change your cabinetry, apply a fresh coat of paint on it.

Don't forget to organize your junk drawer and clean up the area under your sink. So you want to take note of this and make sure your whole house is clean, so that you can just worry about selling it.

Search the Internet for online classifieds. An online presence will link you more a broader audience of buyers, which can end up giving you a better selling price.

When attempting to sell your house, you must view it as a product, treating it as a property, not a personal residence. This severs the mental connection you have with the house, which will help you do what needs to be done to sell it more quickly.

This particular process takes longer and you may find yourself doing more. While you can find ways to manage your own sales, these techniques will often cost you a higher profit even with the fees of a professional.

In certainareas homes sales are higher during more favorable seasons. Make your house more attractive by adding seasonal decorations. During the autumn months, you should keep the yard well maintained. Ensure the leaves are raked and disposed of.

Painting yourhome is an easy and efficient way to get your home ready for sale. It is an affordable improvement that can usually be done of your own. The walls will look newer after you paint them. Just be sure that the color you choose is a neutral one, something like off-white.

Hopefully this article was full of interesting and helpful advice for you. Identify the tidbits that are useful to you and use them to inform your sales. Because there are so many considerations when selling property, learning about the process will be time well spent.