| Many people dream of building their own custom | | | | homes should be able to assist you with this process. |
| designed home but don't for a variety of reasons. The | | | | 3. Find a prefab design company. This is really when |
| complexities of the construction process can seem | | | | the fun begins. There are many choices out there, so |
| overwhelming. Some people assume you have to be | | | | do your homework. You will quickly realize that there |
| rich to build your own home, others just don't know | | | | are modern prefab designers and architects out there |
| where to begin. | | | | for just about every need and pocketbook. Check out |
| Actually, building a home can be both fun and | | | | companies such as Clever Homes, Michelle Kaufmann |
| affordable. This is especially true for modern home | | | | Designs, Marmol Radziner Prefab, and the Dwell |
| buyers since there are a variety of high-quality, | | | | Homes by Empyrean. Even IKEA is assembling homes |
| modular and prefabricated homes which can literally be | | | | for the European market. It wouldn't surprise me to |
| had "out of the box". These prefabricated homes | | | | see them eventually make their way over to our |
| (often referred to as prefab homes, modular homes, | | | | shores. |
| or manufactured homes) combine the best of high-end | | | | 4. Organize the team. Once you've chosen your |
| architecture with eco-friendly living. | | | | prefab home design company, you'll need help! Some |
| If you decide to go with a modern prefabricated home, | | | | prefab companies will handle this for you (for a fee), |
| the tasks involved in building a home become even | | | | but many require that you line up your own |
| simpler than a traditional stick-built home. This doesn't | | | | professionals. At a minimum you'll need a general |
| mean that there isn't work involved, but it is a very | | | | contractor to prepare the site and assemble the home |
| logical, step-by-step process. | | | | once it has been delivered. |
| 1. Crunch the numbers. Think about what you can | | | | 5. Get permits. You will need building permits and |
| afford. Talk to your banker or mortgage lender and | | | | perhaps design reviews, depending on your |
| find out what you qualify for. It might be a good idea to | | | | neighborhood. Your contractor may handle some of |
| get pre-qualified so that when you find the right | | | | this for you, although you will be responsible for the |
| property, you can get things rolling without delay. | | | | permit fees, etc. |
| 2. Buy your land. Obviously you must own the land | | | | 6. Have fun. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just be sure |
| before you can build the house, but what many people | | | | to arrange contracts with everyone and get |
| don't realize is that the lay of the land will help to define | | | | everything in writing! |
| your housing choices. The layout you ultimately choose | | | | Building a modern prefab home requires careful |
| will depend to some degree on the topography, | | | | coordination and patience however the result is often |
| exposure, and location of the property. Be sure you | | | | well worth the wait. Proper due diligence and planning |
| pay attention to local building regulations, soil conditions | | | | should result in a fabulous prefabricated home with |
| drainage, and CC&Rs. An experienced real estate | | | | architectural and "green living" flair which you can enjoy |
| agent who has assisted other home buyers with land | | | | for many years. |
| or lot purchases for either prefabricated or custom | | | | |