To Buy or to Build?

[Backwood_Barbie]

The husband and I are thinking of looking into getting a bigger place beginning of next year. We live in a smaller (not too small) but growing town! We are wanting to get out of the middle of the city and find something out in the country. Not a ton of land. But about 2 acres would be great! We have 4 dogs and a horse and would really like to get her off boarding land and in our own backyard. My mom helped a lot when we bought this house with the legal things / paperwork etc, because I was 19 and it was all a different language to me! We put almost 1/2 down on this house and make regular payment on the rest now. So we'll have a good down payment to put on whatever we find. We like the idea of building and getting exactly what we want, but we're wondering about the price difference? Is it smarter to buy Or
Build? Would be looking at a 4 bedroom for sure. Nothing smaller. Any information, advice, websites to check out? This is all Greek to me, but would like to start looking at some ideas ahead of time. Thanks!

Oh and we're in Burleson, south of fort worth if that makes a difference.

[Daniel75]

My buddy bought 10 acres in weatherford for about $60K, it's in the country out in Parker County. I'd try out there. Burleson/Cleburne won't be country much longer, it's getting pretty congested out there.

[Backwood_Barbie]

I know it's crazy! But the husband is a
Lt on a Vol FD here, it's his life, and we won't leave the area because of it. So for sure will be staying in this area. Don't want too far out in the country. There's a small town just south of us called Briaroaks thats where we'll be looking. I like to have neighbors, but if I can throw a rock and hit their house their too close! Lol 2 or 3 acres would be perfect for us.

[ken]

If you can find an existing place that you like, that route is usually cheaper and less hassle.

If you can't find something existing, building something is more work but you could build exactly what you want.

[Backwood_Barbie]

Yeah there's some nice existing places around here. How come the ones I love aren't for sale? Lol
I know building would be a hassle, and our house is in good shape in a nice neighborhood and centralized around everything so I don't see it taking too awfully long to sell so idk how time frames would work with that. Ugh so much to think about!

[Olphart]

I recommend finding something already built. We didn't and while there's nothing seriously wrong with our house, we didn't get enough feedback on our plans and made a few things too small/narrow, etc. Having a home built is stressful and you'll be pestered to death about the numerous choices, plus, you'll have to live with whatever the builder does (often discovered later on). Another point, if you choose to build and contribute your labor to offset some costs, have it in writing. We did this without any written details and did the painting, scrap lumber cleanup, staining of cabinets, etc. We found out that the bricklayer expected us to do the wipedown (after the fact), thus there's mortar smears on the exterior. So, I won't build again....if it ain't already there and what we like, we keep looking.

[Daniel75]

I work for a couple that lives off of 917/35, about 5 miles from Keene, it's country out there for sure! Try that area. Take 35W South and exit 917, go right (west) and take a right on the road just after the railroad tracks, where the gas station is at. There's land back there for sale. If you take a left at the gas station, then your second right, I think there's some lots for sale there too.

[Chad C]

Shop the market first... There is a ton of available units on acreage, out there.

Use:

Realtor.com

and

Redfin

[tgil]

I have an awesome realtor in town. If you want her info, let me know. She will work her tail off helping you find what you want!

[texan16]

Build your own. Take time and find the right peice of property and then take A LOT of time to draw the plans like you want them. You will never find the house out there that is just like you want. Build your own and then you will have the one you want. Good luck.

[aggie2000tx]

With the current used housing market the way it is in the DFW area I would be buying an existing home. The materials to build anything have gone through the roof

[Gummi Bear]

It's awesome to get the chance to build your own; if you have the time and can afford to do so.

The residential building market is shark infested waters, IMO. There are a lot of good builders out there, and for every one of them, there are 10 goofballs that talk a good game but really haven't any clue what they're talking about.

Interview and hire a consultant to help with some of your ideas, and make sure that you're building it right the first time.

This person will help you make decisions like clearances, fire safety, smart layout, building codes, cost effectiveness of your ideas, and more. They will also make sure that the local zoning and future plans won't come around to bite you later on (is there a highway scheduled to be built through there in a few years, stuff like that)

There are architects, and there are designers. There is a big difference between the two. Make sure you're aware of who you're hiring before you do.

The days of "scribble some ideas down on paper, add a hammer and nails" kind of building are pretty well over; especially if you're wanting a custom home. You'll want to be very specific about what you want, or else your project can experience scope creep and your budget can get way out of hand in a hurry.

Change orders are a possibility. Don't be the PITA owner that changes their mind every few days. Take your time in the design process, and specify everything. The subs will charge you time and material for changes, and those fees will rocket if you become difficult.



Good luck with your search.

[El Cheapo]

About fifteen years ago I was looking for homes around Circle C Ranch near Austin. Found an excellent builder named Doyle Wilson who had an outstanding record, beautiful homes that were well built. I almost was to the point of signing a contract when he went bankrupt which stopped all construction. He had about forty homes going up and stopped paying his contractors leaving the homeowners to fend for themselves all the while losing thousands of $$$. Lesson learned ...buy only what is completed so you know exactly what you are getting. Good luck!

[Backwood_Barbie]

I work for a couple that lives off of 917/35, about 5 miles from Keene, it's country out there for sure! Try that area. Take 35W South and exit 917, go right (west) and take a right on the road just after the railroad tracks, where the gas station is at. There's land back there for sale. If you take a left at the gas station, then your second right, I think there's some lots for sale there too.

We have some friends out there. Nice area. Didn't think about that area either.

[Backwood_Barbie]

With the current used housing market the way it is in the DFW area I would be buying an existing home. The materials to build anything have gone through the roof

That's what I've heard too.