If you’re in the market for a new home, it can be hard to decide which option is right. Should you go with a custom-built house designed and constructed by a luxury custom home builder in Arizona or buy a finished spec home? Depending on your goals, both options have benefits that could make them the right choice. However, to make the most informed decision possible, it’s essential that you thoroughly understand your options and all that is involved in making the right choice for yourself and your family. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of both custom-built homes and spec homes to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Custom Home
A custom home is a unique and personalized residence tailored to an individual’s needs and desires notes Leenan Management experts. With a custom build, working with the builder every step of the way allows you to make your dream home a reality. You will be able to make decisions about the floor plan and interior design – from paint colors to countertops.
Pros of a Custom Home
Reduced Maintenance Cost
By using high-quality materials during construction, you can create a much more durable home that requires less work in the long run. Even better, working with materials with lifetime warranties means you won’t need to worry about repairing or replacing things anytime soon, freeing up more time and energy for yourself.
Less Competition
When trying to buy a pre-built home, you may have to fight other potential buyers who want it just as much as you do. This can drastically increase the price and make it unaffordable. With a custom-built home, there are no competing bids, so you can be sure that whatever price you agree on with the builder is what you’ll ultimately pay for your dream home.
Customization
Customization is one of the biggest benefits of building a custom home. It allows you to choose exactly how you want your home to look and feel, focusing on style and function. You can make sure the materials used in the building process fit your needs and budget, from flooring and insulation to paint colors and decor. Choose amenities that are most important to you, such as an open kitchen floor plan or double-paned windows for energy efficiency.
Cons
Long Wait Times
Depending on the design’s complexity and the contractor’s workload, building a custom home from scratch can take anywhere from two months to over two years. Additionally, delays are common due to weather or even supplies that aren’t as easily accessible as predicted.
Difficulty in Finding the Location
Finding the right place for your custom home can be difficult due to the scarcity of land, especially if you’re looking for something convenient and close to other amenities. You may find that the best parcel of land you can locate is far away from everyday conveniences, making it a less-than-ideal choice if you plan to live there year-round.
Immature Landscaping
Since the land must first be cleared for the buildings, mature trees are often cut down. This can negatively affect curb appeal and detract from the beauty you may expect from building your home. However, working with your builder can allow you to preserve as much of the surrounding area’s natural landscape as possible so that even your new house fits right into its natural surroundings.
Spec Home
A spec home is built on a specification determined by the builder, who usually aims towards a target audience, maybe young professionals or empty nesters. However, since they will likely be designed to appeal broadly, they may also suit your needs. Bear in mind that with this quicker solution, you may have less leeway over the floorplans or interior design.
Pros
Affordability
You can get your dream home at a much more accessible price, and it is easy to customize these kinds of homes to your criteria. The builder ensures that the house of your choice is priced considering everything from location to design and materials used in construction, so you don’t have to fear high costs during build-time.
Allows for Quick Transition
These homes enable buyers to purchase their ideal home in a much shorter, more efficient time frame than building from the ground up. Additionally, selecting from a spec home allows the buyer assurance that construction is already complete and purchasable, and the completion date of moving in is easily estimated.
Fewer Decisions to Make on Design
With a spec home, all the difficult decisions, such as choosing building materials, layouts, and colors, are already made. This allows you to skip to the part where you decorate your new space with more personalized touches like furniture and accessories. This can be incredibly convenient for busy people and those who might not have experience designing construction projects from scratch.
Cons
May Lack High-End Amenities
Most spec homes lack the top-tier amenities that come with customizing and building from scratch. This can be seen from the lack of innovative or high-end finishes such as granite countertops or custom hardwood flooring. While cost-saving measures may be attractive, buyers may be turned off, leading to fewer offers and longer wait times for sales.
The Design is Predetermined
Spec homes are constructed without a specific buyer in mind; instead, they attempt to appeal to the most potential buyers. While their design is predetermined and can’t be customized entirely according to a single owner’s preferences, they often include features that many homeowners find desirable and stylish.
You have to Invest in Upgrades or Remodel Later
Spec homes are built with standard features and finishes, meaning there could be an extra financial burden to turn your dream home into a reality. Before committing to purchase, you should assess whether the labor and costs that come with renovation would be worth it to live in your ideal space.
Whether to buy a custom or spec home depends on your budget, preferences, and lifestyle. A custom home might be the way to go if you want something more unique and tailored to fit your lifestyle. But if you need something fast, on a tight budget, and with more of a predefined design, then opting for a spec home may be a perfect choice.
