Skeptic Bob
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2014
- Messages
- 16,626
- Reaction score
- 19,488
- Location
- Texas
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Libertarian - Left
So, I am going to be moving from Virginia back to Texas in the next year (the Dallas/Fort Worth area). Spare me the Texas jokes. Yeah, it has its problems but I like it there. It isn't where I plan to spend the rest of my life but I will be living there for the next 12 years or so. The main reason for moving there is so my children can be close to their grandparents and other extended family.
You can also get a lot more bang for your buck real-estate-wise in Texas. Which brings me to the point of this thread. I want at least 5 acres, two-story house with 4 bedrooms and an office. We're looking for something in the $500,000 - $850,000, though we can go higher if it really impresses us. But this is all new to us as we have always rented. My company is doing well and I would finally like to leave the world of apartments and crowded suburbs behind.
What I can't seem to make my mind up on is whether to build a custom home or buy one already built/used. I have heard having a house built is a huge headache. But I also wonder how easy it will be for us to find that perfect house given the amount of land we would like it to be sitting on. Wouldn't it make sense to find the perfect plot and then build the house you want? But then why don't most people do that? Is building from scratch THAT much more expensive? How long does it usually take to build a residential home?
Like I said, I am a newb to this so I am hoping to hear about some experiences you have all had in building/buying your house. Thanks!
You can also get a lot more bang for your buck real-estate-wise in Texas. Which brings me to the point of this thread. I want at least 5 acres, two-story house with 4 bedrooms and an office. We're looking for something in the $500,000 - $850,000, though we can go higher if it really impresses us. But this is all new to us as we have always rented. My company is doing well and I would finally like to leave the world of apartments and crowded suburbs behind.
What I can't seem to make my mind up on is whether to build a custom home or buy one already built/used. I have heard having a house built is a huge headache. But I also wonder how easy it will be for us to find that perfect house given the amount of land we would like it to be sitting on. Wouldn't it make sense to find the perfect plot and then build the house you want? But then why don't most people do that? Is building from scratch THAT much more expensive? How long does it usually take to build a residential home?
Like I said, I am a newb to this so I am hoping to hear about some experiences you have all had in building/buying your house. Thanks!