| Everybody would like to live in a mansion or | | | | 2,000 square foot home is in your |
| a sprawling ranch but there are many factors | | | | budget($200,000/$100= 2,000). |
| to consider when choosing a house plan. There | | | | |
| are also a few pitfalls that can be avoided | | | | Another consideration is the size of the lot |
| by doing your homework and making the right | | | | you intend on building your home. You don't |
| choices. | | | | want to invest in a blueprint for a house |
| | | | that won't fit on your lot. Check with your |
| Before you commit to buying a stock or custom | | | | municipality or county on the distances you |
| house plan, you should know how much of a | | | | must have between the building and the lot |
| house you can afford to build. A good place | | | | lines. Most have rules on how much backyard |
| to get this information would be the bank | | | | you must have and how much your house must be |
| that you might use to get your loan from. | | | | set back from the street or building line. |
| | | | |
| Once you know what your budget is, you can | | | | Some towns and subdivisions also have what |
| determine how much house you can afford and | | | | are called covenants. These are rules that |
| pick a house plan that fits that budget. One | | | | dictate what you can and cannot build. Some |
| way to accomplish this is to call several | | | | of these covenants might include the minimum |
| homebuilding contractors in your area. Ask | | | | square footage house you can build, brick or |
| them what the building costs per square foot | | | | frame construction, minimum roof pitch, and |
| are. Not all contractors are willing to | | | | types of building materials you are allowed |
| volunteer this information, but you will find | | | | to use. |
| enough of them that are willing to help at | | | | |
| the prospect of gaining a customer. | | | | These are some of the important things you |
| | | | must consider. Building a new home the |
| With this information you will be able to | | | | biggest investment you'll ever make. Doing a |
| determine the square footage of a house plan | | | | little homework will keep you from getting an |
| you can afford. If your budget is $200,000 | | | | unwanted surprise and wasting time and money |
| and the cost per square foot is $100, then a | | | | on a plan you can't use. |