Dear David,
We are ready to create our dream home. We recently bought a country property in the perfect location for us, but need to decide what to do with the house (we’ll either build onto the existing structure, or demolish it and start fresh). Do you have any thoughts on this? We want to make sure we can enjoy this house for the next 20 years or more. – OPEN TO POSSIBILITIES
DEAR OPEN: The hunt for the perfect home can be elusive, as you have discovered. Depending on your wish list, finding a dream home can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of years. Nailing down a location gets one major decision out of the way, but you have many more choices to make. At this point in the process, my best tried-and-true advice is to surround yourself with professionals.
When you’re making decisions that will shape your next 20 years, an experienced architect and contractor can no doubt lend some insight, and ultimately make things easier. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever seen a truly seamless build, but a team of dedicated professionals who listen to your wants and needs can definitely make a difference. In an ideal world, they could be putting the finishing touches on your dream home in a year or so, though some projects may take longer to complete.
Ultimately, the decision to renovate or build new comes down to your budget and vision. The placement of the existing house on the lot plays a major role. Trying to build your dream house around an existing well or septic system can create some difficulties, and those elements may or may not have the capacity to service your finished home. Retrofitting an older home to look like a modern build can also be challenging. Unless the existing house has incredible bones, you may find it less expensive to demolish and start from scratch, rather than trying to fit your ultimate vision into the existing plan.
If you end up building new, focus on elements that make great use of space. A finished basement with 9-foot ceilings, large windows and a walkout is one such example, as it replicates the sense of main floor living and makes the home feel larger.
I’m not sure how much thought you’ve put into your garage, but this commonly under-used feature could play a key role in your long-term satisfaction with the house, even if you’re not a car buff. Consider excavating a basement under the garage. Doing this adds serious storage space, so you can completely finish the basement under the house. And remember, when it comes time to sell, there’s no such thing as too much garage parking.
PRO TIP: Give serious thought to creating a secondary unit. Down the line, it could be ideal for inlaws, grown children, or a tenant to supplement your retirement income. You plan to spend decades in this house, and when you don’t have a crystal ball to see the future, flexible space can be the next best thing. #Advice #AskDavid #TheNegotiator
David is a top-selling Broker in Kitchener-Waterloo Region. He works personally with you when selling or buying your home. Call or text today for your free home evaluation! 519-577-1212.
