To Build or Not to Build

Everyone wants their dream home, but sometimes it’s hard to find. There’s remodeling, renovating, buying, and building, but which is the best option? We are here to help you find, or design, your dream home!

Price: Having an affordable price range for whatever your plans are is the most important step. So let’s cover costs. From the cheapest to the most luxurious, everyone has a price. Let’s find your ideal range!

The cheapest option is by far renovating and/or remodeling a home. You already have a base to start with, and don’t need to build up from the ground. The national average cost of renovations is around $50,000. There are plenty of contractors to choose from, so prices can vary greatly. As long as your current home is sound, this option could save you the most!

Buying a new home can be pricey, but if you sell your old one it could balance out. Buying a new house is something we know lots about! As long as the market is calm and lots of listings are available, it can be so simple to find a house you can turn into your dream home! The average price of a home in PA is roughly $217,000 according to Zillow. The only problem is you can’t pick and choose when buying a home. Lots of people have found their dream home through buying a local home, but most forget about the option of building. 

The price to build a home varies. It can be as low as $150,000 or as high as $500,000. It majorly depends on the square footage of the home. To break it down more, the average price per square foot is $150. With building a house, you usually will pay for the lot your home will sit on, plus the actual building. Since land doesn’t depreciate, the lot doesn’t have to be a spur of the moment buy! When designing the home, you have the ability to choose how much space you need. This could save money OR give you the freedom you’ve always wanted.

Design: Another factor is what design you’re going for. If you love the style of a traditional single family home, buying is definitely a great way to go. If your taste is a little unique and your pockets won’t hurt too much, build that home!

Adding a room to have more space or storage isn’t a call for a brand new home. However, there’s definitely limits to this! If you don’t have space and you’re just looking to upgrade your square footage, a new home is probably right for you! 

However, building a home gives you *almost* unlimited options. Homes with contemporary, modern, or more of an abstract design will rarely be on the market. So, if this is your dream home, then you will want to build your masterpiece. 

Location: The location is an extremely important deciding factor in building a home. First, you need to make sure you aren’t breaking any laws or zoning regulations by building a home. 

There are certain regulations on what you can do depending on the location of your ideal build site. Once you check that out and make sure you’re good to go, the fun part can start!

In Erie, the most desirable lot is one with a view of the beautiful bay. The bayfront area is a popular spot for custom built houses, so there’s always some lots. Although the lots on the waterfront run expensive, they are worth the money for the view. Be careful with these types of lots, weather can take its toll and cause lots of problems! 

Building a home in the middle of an established neighborhood could prove very difficult, but can still be possible. Again, zoning regulations will play a huge role in the possibility of building a home! Locally, the Bear Run subdivision and Fairview area as a whole is always the home to beautifully custom built houses. However, you will be limited with the extravagance of your future dream home when building in the suburbs. With limited space, the size and design of the home can be halted. 

The most ideal location would be away from crowded suburban areas, and lots of wide space for whatever your heart desires. A flat lot is desirable for a ranch style or similar, while a sloped lot could be perfect for a waterfall or multi-level home. Your goal for landscaping or yardage also plays a huge role in the choice of land, too!

Conclusion: After doing research on designs of homes and building a house, you should feel confident in your choices! Whether you decide to renovate or build, at least you’ll know the best choice for you and your pockets! We wish you a happy building!