Who wants to think about looking for a new home in the middle of winter? Bundling up and braving the roads in January is probably not high on your list of favorite things to do. But even though it’s cold outside, it’s a perfect time to start your search for the perfect new home in the Poconos.

That’s because a whole lot of the work involved in building a new home takes place long before the first backhoe begins digging the foundation for your new home. And the work you do in the middle of the long, cold, winter (sitting inside at your computer!) can make a huge difference with the end result you get when construction begins in the warmer weather.

Here are a few things you can do during those cold winter months so that you’re ready to hit the ground running when the weather is better for building.

Research Where You Really Want to Live

Location is a big consideration for building a new home. But there’s a lot that goes into choosing the right location. Maybe you want great views. Maybe you want easy access to favorite activities or shopping. If you have children, you’ll want to check out the schools in the area. Use the “down time” that winter affords to check out different options that will really fit your specific lifestyle.

Gather Ideas About the Kind of Home You Want

A great thing about building your own home is that you have all kinds of options. Of course, that can be a bit of a challenge, too. Take some time to go online to look at different styles of homes. Check sites such as houzz.com to get a feel for different design styles, or take a look at some great home photos that will get your creative juices flowing. 

Take a Look at Floor Plans That Fit Your Lifestyle

Great homes don’t happen without great floor plans. There’s more to choosing the right home than simply picking one that looks nice. You’ll want to make sure the layout of the house matches the way you live. Checking out floor plans can help you visualize how one room flows into another and how the whole house can create the kind of environment that makes you feel comfortable.

And of course you’ll want to take some time to research which builder is the best fit for you as well. Here’s a helpful post about how to choose a quality custom homebuilder in the Poconos.

It may be cold out now, but if you use this “indoor time” to do some research and information gathering, you’ll be way ahead of the pack when it comes time to start building.