Five Things Homeowners Regret Not Knowing Before Building a Custom Home

/in /by

Working with a Greensboro homebuilder to create a custom home can be an exciting experience. You get to choose exactly what goes into your home, without having to wait out the market and hope something shows up without a lot of competition. Before you jump into the process of building your own custom home, it is a good idea to be prepared and have some understanding of all the work that goes into it.

 

To help you prepare, take a look at these five things homeowners have said that they regret not knowing before building a custom home.

 

  1. There will be decision fatigue: In some cases, you have to make decisions about every single item in your custom home. From the type of windows to the flooring, doorknobs and everything in between, you are in control. This can be nice, but it can also lead to fatigue. When you are done, you may never want to make another decision again. Of course if you are working with an experienced team like at Don Mi.  Builders, they will help with a lot of these decisions and once they know your preferences, can alleviate your “decision burn-out.”

 

  1. The timeline will change: It is very unlikely that the original finish date will be the actual date that you move in. The weather, lack of materials, and other situations can make construction take longer than planned. Do not hold too fast to that original closing date.

 

  1. Watch for the shortcuts: The best builders in Greensboro will not try to cut corners, but some companies may try when they want to cut costs. Know what to look for in these shortcuts so you don’t get left with more work when it is done. And make sure you are working with a solid homebuilder with an excellent reputation for quality.  Having a chance to see some of the builder’s previous work is one key way to avoid this pitfall.

 

  1. Get ready to spend more: The original price you see for a custom home assumes that you do not want any major changes or upgrades. It is better to get the exact countertops you want now rather than replacing them in a few years, but keep in mind that some upgrades cost more. The best way to avoid this is to work with a builder, like Don Mills that goes over the contract and explains exactly what you will be getting and explains what constitutes a “change order.”  If you work with a builder that doesn’t have experience or integrity, you may find that too many things that you think should have been included are considered, “change orders.”

 

 

  1. You may need alternate living plans: Be prepared to have alternate living arrangements for a short time in between leaving your home to move into the custom home. Month to month leases are an option in many areas, but you should budget for these and not be surprised if you have to wait longer to move into the home. Again, working with an experienced Custom Home Builder, e.g. Don Mills can help resolve this issue as well.

 

Don Mills is considered by many to be one of the best builders in Greensboro. Their team has the right experience to help you create a home that is comfortable, unique, and perfect for all your needs, now and in the future. Contact the team at Don Mills to discuss your own custom home and to avoid you have any “builder’s remorse.” 

Can You Design Your Own Custom Home and Have it Built?

/in /by

The real estate market has been tough over the past few years. Many factors have come together to bring a ton of buyers into the market and with limited inventory; it is harder to find the home of your dreams in this kind of market.  But rather than fighting with all of the other interested buyers in the market, it may be time to build a custom home in Greensboro. 

 

A custom home can provide you with exactly what you want, without fighting to outbid other interested buyers or spending too much on the existing home real estate market. With the right North Carolina custom home builders helping you from start to finish, you can get the ideal home built for you and your family without having to “settle.” 

 

Know What You Want

 

Before you begin building your custom home, take the time to plan out exactly what you want in your dream home. You can choose the size and style of the home, your preferred building materials, and the extra features that are important to you and will help to make this home uniquely yours. Take a look at other custom homes in Greensboro to give you an idea of what is possible and which features you like and dislike about each one.

 

Spend Time Planning with Your Builder

 

When you choose one of the premier North Carolina custom home builders such as Don Mills to help you create a masterpiece to call home, you will learn that you can rely on them to work out so many of the details and take a lot of decisions off your plate.

 

Your home contractor will get an accurate picture of how you want the final home to look.  Once the framing of the home goes up, your costs for any changes will increase, so you will want to make sure that you are clear on everything ahead of time. If you are working with the right custom home builder, he/she will discuss all of your options with you to make this process easier.

 

Check References and Licensing

 

Many companies promise to build the home of your dreams, but always check into their licensing and references before you decide to work with them. Give those references a call as well. Learn what the client liked about that builder or if they would recommend that builder for your project. Visit the custom homes the builder has worked on so you can get a good feel for the type of homes that they build.  For example, if you are building a home in the $800,000 to $1 million price range, you want to make sure your homebuilder has experience in building homes at this price point. 

 

Get It in Writing

 

Do not get any work started on your new home without a contract in place. The more details that are in the contract, the better.

 

When you are ready to create your own custom home, make sure to contact Don Mills, one of the top North Carolina custom home builders. The Don Mills team has experience working to create custom homes in Greensboro and surrounding areas that are second to none.  Contact them for your home consultation today.

Avoiding “Builder’s Remorse” When Your Home is Completed

/in /by

Buyer’s Remorse is a term that most of us have experienced; after paying for something and then realizing that it’s not the right thing or you wished you had gotten a bigger, smaller or faster or better one.  Well, it’s a much bigger issue when the remorse is over a custom home.  But it does happen, and it can be painful.  In order to help you avoid “Builder’s remorse” we’ve put together some tips for you:

 

 

Work Closely with Your Builder

 

It is easy to go on autopilot and just let the builder do their work without your input. This is a big purchase, and you need to be involved in the decision making in the beginning. And you definitely don’t want to deal with “change orders” which will increase the cost of the project. By communicating clearly and regularly with your builder from the beginning you can avoid this.

 

The team at Don Mills work with clients to go over exactly what constitutes a change order and will work with you very carefully to ensure that you know what is being done every step of the way so there won’t be any confusion or misunderstanding.  One of the biggest causes of Builders Remorse is poor communication throughout the process, which is why the Don Mills team works extra hard to keep you informed every step of the way. 

 

 

Really Choose the Right Location

 

While all of the design components and construction of the home is important, you must also choose the right location for building your dream home. Put some research into each area you are considering and make sure that you know the area intimately.  Because avoiding change-orders is one thing, but not liking where your new home is located, is a problem on an entirely different level.

 

Never Rush the Process

 

Begin planning for the custom home long in advance. It is easy to get excited or put yourself in a time crunch because of a big move or a change in the seasons. But builder’s remorse shows up more when you rush into making decisions on your custom home. Take more time to talk with custom builders, look at different design options, and make important decisions to ensure the home to be built is exactly what you want.

 

To help avoid builder’s remorse, you need to work with the right custom builders who will keep your wants and needs in the forefront and can help you get a home you actually will love. Some builders might not have the experience and expertise to know where the problem areas might lie and know have to navigate you through the areas to ensure that you are going to not just like but lover your new Summerfield custom home. 

 

The team at Don Mills work diligently on every project to create a home that their clients will treasure for a lifetime. From luxurious amenities to specialty rooms and premium locations, Don Mills can help you make the perfect custom home. Contact them today to discuss building the home of your dreams.

Never Move Again

Never Move Again – Your Happily-Ever-After Custom Home

/in /by

Never Move AgainMoving is no fun. Not only do you have to go through the extensive work involved in packing everything up and hauling it to a new location, but you have to leave countless memories behind in your old home. Fortunately, by building a new custom home that is perfectly designed to your specifications, you can make this next move your last one.

Don Mills is one of the leading luxury home builders in NC. By working with Don Mills, you’ll have access to a team that has built many luxury homes in the area, and you can trust their experience to deliver a finished product that will be in your family for generations. Reach out to Don Mills today to learn more.

Three Big Keys

If you are going to build a custom home that will serve your needs throughout the rest of your life, there are plenty of important points to consider in the planning and designing process. Specifically, keep the three keys below in mind –

Location. The one thing you will not be able to change about your new home is its location. Once you pick a lot, there is no changing that – so make sure the location is ideal for the needs of you and your family for many many years to come. It may take a while to find the right piece of land in the right location, but it’s worth it to be very patient. You’d rather keep looking until you can get into the right spot than settle early in the process and feel the need to move in a few years.

Accessibility. As you age, certain features of your home’s design may become harder to use. For example, a master bedroom suite that is located upstairs could be hard to access every night. With the idea of living in this home for many years to come, consider building the master suite on the main level, even if you don’t need that currently. This and other accessibility considerations, such as a walk-in bathtub or shower will make it more likely that you can stay in your home for the long run.

Size. Getting the size right on your new custom home can be tricky. While you want enough space to accommodate your current life, you also want to avoid overbuilding and needing to maintain a home that is much too large for your life in the future. Work closely with your builder to settle on a floor plan and square footage that balances near- and long-term considerations. With certain home floor plans it is easier to close off parts of the house or change a bedroom into an office. Your custom home builder will be able to advise you on what floor plan will be more adaptable.

Other Factors

If you hit on the three points we listed above, you should be in good shape with your new custom home project. With that said, there are some other things to think about, such as whether or not you want to include room for a home gym. Also, if you have any hobbies that require space around the house for projects and the related equipment – like woodworking or crafting – be sure to keep those in mind. With enough time spent in the planning phase, you should be able to go into the building phase of this project with confidence, knowing that the finished product will be something you can love for a very long time.

Custom Home Buying

Custom Home Buying – The Importance of “The Closing”

/in /by

Custom Home BuyingBuying a new home can be stressful, whether you are buying an existing property or building a new home from the ground up. Often, the stress of this process comes from the financial piece of the puzzle, as you work to get the right funding in place to pay for what is likely the biggest purchase of your life. This article will look at the closing process, so you can know what to expect as you move closer toward getting the keys to your new kingdom.

If you have been looking at houses for sale in Summerfield, be sure to consider custom home buying as an attractive alternative. Working with an experienced team like Don Mills makes it possible to create a custom luxury home that meets every one of your needs and expectations. Get in touch with Don Mills today for more information.

An Appropriate Name

As you certainly know, the closing process is the last step along the path of securing your purchase and moving into your new house. While there are plenty of steps involved in a successful closing, you don’t need to go into this part of the purchase fearful – as long as you have all of your information lined up and you’ve checked all the boxes leading up to closing, there shouldn’t be any surprises.

It Takes a While

In the modern world, we are used to things happening quickly. When you want to look up something online, for instance, it takes just a matter of seconds – at the most – to find the information you need. The closing process is an exception to this standard of speed. You’ll likely spend at least a month working through closing from start to finish. This is one of the reasons some people find closing stressful – it takes a few weeks and there is a lot of downtime to think about what could go wrong. Try to avoid that kind of negative thinking and just work with your lender to keep things on track.

Some Key Components

The precise details of your closing process will depend on the type of purchase you are making, your financial situation, your lender, and many other factors. With that said, there are some key elements that will be involved in virtually every home closing.

Proof of income. If you are applying for a mortgage to build your new home, you’ll need to demonstrate proof of your earnings to qualify for that loan. As a traditional employee, a tax form that represents how much you made last year may be all that is required. The documentation can get a little more complicated for someone who is self-employed or owns their own business.

Down payment. You will need some amount of down payment to bring to the table, along with the funds from your loan, in order to complete this purchase. The amount of the down payment you are required to make in order to qualify for the loan will vary based on many factors.

Final walk-through. This is your chance to review the home and make sure that everything is as you expected before signing on the dotted line. If there are any changes that need to be made, you can go over those now with the seller and then proceed to closing when any issues have been resolved.

Closing on a home doesn’t have to be stressful, and it certainly can be exciting – this is the last step before you take the keys and move in. Work with a lender and custom builder who have a lot of experience and Stay in close contact with both of them throughout the process and everything should go smoothly.

Never Move Again

Best Home Builders in NC

/in /by

Best Home BuildersIf a new custom home is on your agenda, you probably want to work with one of the best home builders in NC. And why not? This is a home you will want to potentially remain in your family for generations, so it should be built to the highest of standards. But how do you decide what makes a great home builder? Looking only at the new home construction leaders in terms of total houses built may miss the point, so this article will highlight some other keys.

To work with a proven North Carolina home builder with a track record of producing beautiful luxury homes, contact Don Mills right away.

The Problem with Volume

It’s easy to understand the temptation of looking only at the number of houses constructed when trying to determine the best home builders in NC. After all, if buyers keep purchasing houses from a certain builder, that means they are one of the best – right? Not so fast. There are a number of factors involved with determining how many homes a builder can create, but none of those factors have anything to do with being the “best”.

Rather, it’s all – as always – about money. If a builder has significant financial backing to take on large development projects, that builder is going to rack up a high volume of completed homes, regardless of the quality of those homes when they are finished. If you choose your builder based solely on how many houses they have built around the area, you may be in for a big disappointment when you see the quality of the work they offer.

More Important Considerations

So, if you can’t look to volume to tell you what builder is the best for your project, where should you turn? Try these various considerations instead –

Past client satisfaction. Ask a builder to connect you with owners of some of the previous homes they have built so you can get a feel for how the process went and whether the builder met expectations. Doing good work in the past is a strong indicator that a builder will repeat those results in the future.

A proven process. When building a custom home, you want to work with a builder that knows how to go from a bare piece of ground to a beautiful, luxury home that will stand the best of time. If a builder doesn’t have the right experience, or doesn’t have the right team in place, they may struggle to help you bring your ideas together into a design that suits your needs and fits in your budget.

Reputation for luxury. It’s one thing to build a home that will pass inspection and live up to basic expectations – it’s another thing entirely to build a luxury home that will impress any buyer. That’s what you get from the best home builders in NC, and it’s easy to spot the builders that belong in this conversation when you view some of the other properties they have created around the area.

Don’t simplify your search for a home builder down to the basic metric of who has built the most houses. That might be an easy way to go, but it could lead you in the wrong direction. Dig a little deeper to determine which area builder has the experience and commitment to luxury needed to get the job done.

Glossary: Home Building Terms

/in /by

Building a new home is a big exciting project. This will likely be one of the largest purchases of your life, and it can take many many months – if not more than a year – for everything to come together. With that in mind, it’s important to understand everything that is going on around the project, including the various terms you might hear used by contractors, agents, and others. This article will offer a basic glossary of some common industry terms to help you avoid confusion while building a house.

 

To work with one of the best Greensboro home builders on this exciting project, contact Don Mills today to get started. With Don Mills, you’ll get an experienced custom home builder capable of creating a house that will live up to even the highest of expectations.

 

Structural Elements

To help you make sense of this list of terms, we are going to divide this post up into sections. First, let’s look at some terms that are commonly used when talking about the structural components of a house.

 

  • When a significant load needs to be carried, often across a large space, a beam will be used that is bigger than the other surrounding framing elements.
  • Bearing wall. Some walls in a house serve to support the structure, while others are only to divide spaces. Those that hold up part of the home are considered bearing walls.
  • Any bearing wall needs to be properly supported to ensure the stability of the structure. With that in mind, a footing is placed under those sections to increase stability and avoid unwanted shifting or settling.
  • This is a framing component that serves to create a ceiling or floor.
  • When a post is used to run from floor to ceiling, whether for structural or aesthetic purposes, it is typically called a pillar.
  • The rafters in your home are an integral part of the roof structure, and they can either be covered up by a ceiling or left open for a dramatic look.

 

Visual Elements

While the terms below might not relate to elements that are necessary to keep the home standing, they are still important while working to achieve a specific, consistent look.

 

  • This one confuses some homebuyers, but it’s actually quite simple – the elevation of a home is the look of the vertical service, such as a view from street level. This is talked about often during the design phase.
  • If you are building a multi-level home, it might be useful to use a landing within a stairway to break up the climb and change directions.
  • Pocket door. Convenient for saving space, pocket doors work by having the door slide into the wall when open. This eliminates the need to keep space for the door to come out into the room.
  • The upright part of a cabinet is called a “stile”, while the horizontal members are called “rails”.
  • Transom window. This type of window is found above a door, and it can be a great way to let in some additional natural light. Some transom windows can be opened, while others are fixed.

 

Custom Home Innovations for 2022

/in /by

The world of home building is constantly evolving. Something that is on the cutting edge one year can be seen as out of date just a couple of years later. When building a custom home of your own in North Carolina, it’s a good idea to stay up to date on the latest and greatest innovations in the industry. This article will introduce you to some of the exciting innovations that are appealing to those building homes in 2022.

 

If you are looking for custom home builders in North Carolina capable of producing high-end, luxury properties, Don Mills is the best place to start. Reach out today to learn more.

 

Balanced Floor Plans

If you pay attention to residential home design and construction, you’ll already know that the last couple of decades have seen a dramatic shift toward the idea of “open concept” design. With this style of house, fewer walls are used to divide up rooms, and more big spaces are created. This trend certainly isn’t going away, but 2022 is likely to see a continued shift toward a more balanced approach. So, along with a large great room, for example, a home may have several other, smaller spaces to be used for various purposes.

 

Bringing the Outside In

Welcoming nature into the house is more important than ever. If you have spent more time than usual at home over the last couple of years, you probably appreciate the windows you do have – and you may wish for more. Strategically using windows to bring in natural light and open up the best view available on your property, is something that never goes out of style.

 

High-Tech Home Office

Another trend that has picked up steam since 2020 and will only continue to grow is the work-from-home movement. Whether you work out of your house part-time or full-time, having a great office space is a big advantage. When building a new custom home, you can keep this feature in mind and add elements that are particularly well-suited to your professional requirements. That could mean building in advanced connectivity, additional audio/visual features, or other pieces that will help your office be a dream space as soon as you move in.

 

The Growth of the Game Room

One of the best things about designing your own home from the ground up is being able to include fun, unique features that set your house apart from the rest. Adding a dedicated game room is one such idea that is worthy of careful consideration. No matter what you want to add to the game room – options like a pool table, arcade machines, large TVs, and more are all available – having the space in your house for this luxury starts with creating the right floor plan. You might plan on creating this game room space from day one, or you might just want it as an option later down the line. Either way, the first step is a layout for your house that keeps the possibility open, perhaps by including a big basement or large upstairs loft.

Architectural Styles for Custom Homes

/in /by

The great thing about building a custom home is that it’s a blank slate. Other than having to conform to local building codes and the realities of your property, you’ll be able to do just about whatever you want with this new structure. While that’s a blessing, it can also be a challenge – where do you start when there are no limits?

 

Picking an architectural style is a great way to focus your design process and get the ball rolling. Also, working with Don Mills, the builder behind some of the best custom homes Greensboro has to offer, will give you a leg up in this process. Reach out to Don Mills today to learn more.

 

Considering the Popular Styles

To get started, you’ll want to take a look at some of the leading home styles in the country today. While you don’t have to stick with what’s popular, of course, these categories will give you a starting point and you can go from there with your design. The list below touches on some of the main styles that dominate the American residential landscape.

 

  • As the name would suggest, these homes are full of interesting details, hand-crafted touches, and a custom feel. It makes sense when building a custom home to go with an architectural style that will play up the custom nature of the building, so this is a great pick.
  • The trend of open floor plans and clean lines in housing can be directly traced to the modern architectural style. It’s not hard to spot a house that falls into this category, as the outside will be clean and simple, perhaps with the use of metal in addition to wood.
  • Found in suburbs from coast to coast, ranch houses are single-floor designs that take advantage of ample land to create a large interior without the need to build higher. Similar to the trend within the modern style, ranch houses often feature floor plans with plenty of open space.
  • This is perhaps the easiest style of home for the average person to recognize. The intricate details included in a Victorian home – and in Victorian furniture – are easy to spot and will stand out boldly in the typical American neighborhood.

 

No Right Answer

The best architectural style for your new home is the one that you love and will serve your design needs. You don’t have to feel compelled to fit in with the crowd or even with your geography – a custom home should be a dream home, and it’s your dream that is being brought to life. Take the time to explore plenty of pictures of various styles and feel free to blend two or more of them together to create a unique property.

 

When it’s time to get started with this project, contact Don Mills to discuss your design ideas, or to ask for ideas from a professional. When it comes to custom homes in Greensboro, no matter what architectural style is desired, Don Mills is the place to start.

 

Features to Consider When Working from Home

/in /by

If you have the flexibility in your job to work from home either on a part-time or full-time basis, you’ll want to make sure your home is appropriately suited to that task. After all, the typical house is not designed like an office, so you might find yourself struggling to find a suitable space to get things done. The design phase of a custom home project is the perfect time to think about your work needs and how they can be served with a dedicated office.

 

As one of the leading custom home builders in Greensboro, NC, Don Mills is ready to take on the challenge of crafting your new residence. Reach out today to ask any questions or to learn more about what Don Mills has to offer.

 

A Dedicated Home Office

Okay, so this one might be pretty obvious, but it’s the best place to start. If you know you’ll be working from home in this new custom residence, be sure that an office is included in the floorplan. Ideally, this won’t be a shared space that serves other functions – it’s best if it is just an office and nothing else. Remember that you’ll need room for not only your desk, but also some storage, décor, chairs and everything you need for a complete office.

 

One other thing to consider when working on the floor plan is whether or not you will be welcoming clients or other guests to your office on occasion. If so, make sure they can access the office without having to walk through the rest of the house to get there. An entrance from the exterior would be ideal if you’ll be having people come into your office regularly.

 

Office Features to Upgrade the Space

Now that it’s been established that you need a home office, you can turn your attention to nice upgrade features to add to that part of the home. You might not be interested in all of the ideas below, but at least one or two of them may make their way onto your wish list.

 

  • Great WiFi. You’ll want to have excellent service in this part of the house for making calls, streaming videos, etc. You could design the house to have your WiFi originate in the office, or you could use a booster to make sure you have all the speed you need.
  • Block out the sound. Use extra insulation or soundproofing materials to cut out noise from the rest of the house. One of the challenges that come with working from home can be ignoring everything you are hearing – that is made easier if you can’t hear those noises in the first place.
  • Big windows. Most people spend a lot of time in their office each week. To make that time more enjoyable, add plenty of windows for natural light. And, if your property has a view, feature that view to upgrade your office even further.

 

As you prepare to get started on an exciting custom home project, finding the right builder is of utmost importance – and that’s where Don Mills comes into the picture. Get in touch with Don Mills today to take the first step toward your dream home!