Getting Started: Building a House in the Poconos

So you decided to build a custom home in the Poconos! What an exciting time!

Building a new home is a wonderful time, but it can also be overwhelming without the right guides, tools, and expectations. We wanted to make the homebuilding process as easy as possible for you as you're getting started on this journey!

The Custom Homebuilder Journey

The beginning of the homebuilding process usually begins before people realize.

• Pick a lot. Begin by deciding exactly where you want to live. Whether you want to leave in a community offering ammenities or if you want to live near one of the many lakes in the area, you will need to pick where to live. Once you know precisely the area you want to build your home, you can find a lot. It's a common misconception that a custom homebuilder will include a lot in the quote for your  new home, but purchasing a lot is separate. Liberty Homes can help you find the perfect lot!
• Research your options. There are many different styles homes, builders, and packages you can find in the area, so be sure to do your research! After all, if you are building your Dream Home, be sure to know exactly what that is! You can start by browsing floor plans and calling various builders to learn more about them.
• Start a conversation. Once you've selected your ideal builder, you can start the conversation! If you haven't picked out a floor plan yet, you can discuss your options and any custom changes you will want made with your builder. At Liberty Homes, we take special consideration into Energy Efficiency and Aging in Place when designing a home!
• Set a budget. As you're going the process of finding your ideal floor plan and discovering custom options, be sure to set a budget. You want to be able to enjoy your new home in the Poconos, not worry about paying it off! Now is a good time to talk to your bank and make sure your finances are in order before you commit to building a new home. Talking to your bank and getting the necessary mortgage can sometimes take months, so if you're concerned about timing, it's always better to start this process sooner rather than later.
• Get a quote. Once you know everything you want out of your home, you will be able to ask for a quote. You can sit down with your builder and work your way through the complete process, from building to completion. This will help you visualize everything that is included and will help you understand the price better.
• Sign a contract. After you and your builder have settled on the price that is right for both of you, it's time to sign the contract! This is a very exciting step because your Dream Home is just weeks away at this point!

This is just the beginning! So where do you go after signing a contract with your builder?

The Beginning of the Building Process for your Custom Home in the Poconos

Congratulations if you've made it this far! Now you're in for the fun part - beginning to plan the final design of your home and even doing interior design research!

• Lay the plans out on your lot. As your builder is reviewing your selected lot and floor plans, you can practically see your Dream Home coming to life! This is an incredible moment. Many people have worked a lifetime for the opportunity to build a vacation home or to retire to the Poconos, and this is where they first see it coming true.
• Building begins. From framing to wiring, this is where the building really begins. Curious as to when it's too late to update plans on your builder? Here's a helpful blog about opening the conversation around making updates as you go. It's very common to want to stay involved throughout the entire process and to discover opportunities while the building is in progress. That's excellent! Here's a helpful resource on setting those boundaries with your builder.
• Start planning the interior. For many, the excitement of watching their Dream Home finally being built into a reality can be overwhelming. If you're looking for a productive way to keep moving the process forward while the builders are doing their jobs, start considering what you want the inside to look like! There are so many ways to start mapping out your existing furniture, paint updates, and other ways to add your personality to your home. There are plenty of fun resources you can use to start visualizing what you want your home interior to look like, but one fun way is by visualizing each room as a board on Pinterest. This way, you can meld existing furniture, new layouts, and fun accent pieces all into one. Have fun with this part! You can always update your home's look and feel, but this is a fun way to make your new house feel like home when you move in.
• Consider reviewing your homebuilder. Many people prefer to hear directly from their peers about their experiences when building a new home. It can be very helpful to write a review of your builder on Houzz, Yelp, Facebook, or Google! That way, if you had an excellent experience, it's easier for others to hear about your story and share in your happy ending!

As building is wrapping up, it's important to maintain open communication with your builder. It may seem easiest to coast through the process at this point, but it's always important to stay engaged to ensure that your new custom home in the Poconos is exactly what you always dreamt it would be!

Interested in starting a conversation? John is always thrilled to open up a commitment-free discussion around building your custom home in the Poconos with Liberty Homes! Send him a message here!