Month: August 2017

floor-plans

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Searching for the Perfect House Plan

Are you ready to build your dream home? Is this the year that you will begin the search for your perfect house plan? You have probably done all of your research, and feel like you know exactly what type of plan you are looking for. Does this sound like you? If so, finding your future home can be one of the most exciting times of your life. Whether you are a seasoned builder or a first time homeowner, these tips will be sure to give you something to think about.

1. Budget

Your budget should realistically be the first thing that you understand when deciding to build a home. Before anything else, you should do is ask your builder what the cost per square foot is in your county. This will help you determine whether a house plan is within your budget or not. Another thing to factor in is the cost of upgrades to the home you decide to build. How much will those upgrades be? Will you need there to be any additional changes? Take some time to have this discussion with your builder. Once you have your budget solid and on paper, the search for your dream home can begin.

2. The Lot Size

Although this may seem like an evident factor to consider, lot sizes are often overlooked. Many times, buyers will find their ideal home plan first, only to be disappointed when they find out that it is too large for their chosen lot. One way to avoid this is to have your builder tell you the parameters that you need to stay within. Be sure to keep note of the maximum width and depth when conducting your search.

3. How Many Stories

Have you thought about how many levels you want your dream home to have? This choice comes down to your lifestyle and how you see yourself growing into your new space. Would you prefer the master to be on the main level, while the children are roomed upstairs? A two-story allows for twice the square footage as well as a certain amount of privacy from the rest of the home. Or perhaps a ranch-style home makes more sense for your family, and you prefer everyone to be on the same level without a staircase in between. This is definitely something to consider during your search.

4. Open Floor Plan or Split Level

An open floor plan is becoming increasingly more popular in house plans across the country. The most common option is a great room that includes the kitchen, living room and even a dining space all in one shared space. This option is fantastic for home owners that enjoy entertaining, or homes with less square footage. A split level generally has the bedrooms on the upper floor along with the kitchen and living room. The bottom floor will usually be where the laundry room, a large living space and garage are found. This option is typically chosen by homeowners that want a lot of square footage, as they make full use of the space available.

5. Location, Location, Location

Where you decide to build your home is probably one of the most important pieces to this puzzle. Have you really thought about it? Is your dream home placed beside a lake, in the country or perhaps in a bustling suburb? Is there an active homeowner association that you will need to work with? If so, will the floor plan you choose fit in with the style of the other homes in the neighborhood and fit all of the HOA requirements? There are many factors to consider when choosing your location.

 

If you have factored in all of these tips and still have not found your perfect floor plan, consider the idea of customizing! We have more than 1,000 stock house plans in our inventory for you to choose from. However, if you decide that you want to modify a plan, our modification department is ready to make any changes that you may need. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create your dream home!

frank betz azalea park

3 House Plans for First Time Buyers

Buying your first home can be one of the most important and special moments of your life. For those ambitious enough to build their own, we have more than 1,000 plans to help with your journey. With so many starter plans to choose from, this makes the search for the perfect home that much more exciting.

Something to keep in mind during this process is to look for home plans with flexible space that will allow you to accommodate for a variety of uses. Although affordability is most likely at the front of your mind, there are plenty of plans that will offer everything on your wish list, such as welcoming porches, two-car garages and even open floor plans while staying within your budget. Here are three house plans from our collection that we think could be the perfect fit for any first time buyer.

1. Azalea Park

frank betz azalea park
Frank Betz Associates, Azalea Park

The Azalea Park house plan is a charming cottage that is a great option for first time buyers. Whether built in the countryside or in a quaint suburb, this plan offers it all. The beautiful covered porch and two-car garage give plenty of space outside, while the open floor plan inside works as a functional area for entertaining.

The master suite is located on the main level, offering convenience and privacy for parents while the children are roomed upstairs. Details like a mudroom off the garage, a large screened porch and an optional loft area upstairs make this home an ideal candidate with room for growth.

2. Bradley

frank betz bradley
Frank Betz Associates, Bradley

The Bradley house plan is a gorgeous ranch option that comes complete with a large covered porch, modern layout and plenty of square footage. A two-car garage and spacious back deck give plenty of space for outdoor recreation. The vaulted master suite is on the right wing of the house giving home buyers their privacy from the rest of the home.

Two additional bedrooms with a shared bathroom are on the opposite side of the home. Another great addition to this house is a bonus room on an optional second floor, which can easily be finished to hold another bedroom and bath.

3. Firethorn Holly

frank betz firethorn holly
Frank Betz Associates, Firethorn Holly

The Firethorn Holly is a beautiful patio home that is ideal for easy living while keeping the appealing details that homeowners look for. The wide open floorplan gives the appearance of an abundance of square footage while continuing to be a functional space. The kitchen, grand room and dining area are all vaulted with beams and skylights above.

A covered porch off of the grand room gives owners a space to enjoy outdoors. The master suite is located at the back of the home, giving optimal privacy to the occupants, while a second bedroom is housed at the front of the home for guests. If you are looking for a smaller sized home with optimal use of space, this plan is an ideal choice.

While these three plans are exceptional choices, there are still plenty more to look through if they don’t meet exactly what you are looking for. Try browsing through the rest of our customizable house plans which are already conveniently categorized to make your search as easy as possible. Your first home may be one of the most important decisions of your life, but with our help the process can be easy. Whether you are looking for a craftsman cottage, classic ranch or spacious country home, your perfect house plan is just a click away.