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Category Archives: Custom Homes

Must-Have Features in Your Custom Home

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When building a custom home, one of the main advantages is you have full control over what the home is. Features such as materials, the number of rooms, the overall layout, and various design choices are all up to you. Unlike a prebuilt home with a custom home, you don’t have to make do with a design choice you don’t like when buying the home, because everything is up to you.

An essential part of the building process is knowing what must have features for your custom home you should have. Here are five features for your new custom home that you should not miss out on.

Five Must-Have Features for Your Custom Home

  1. A Well-Insulated Roof: Having good insulation provides many useful benefits. It keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer and saves you money by making heating and cooling far more efficient. Proper insulation also reduces noise pollution and improves indoor air quality.
  2. High-Quality Windows: Investing in high-quality windows makes your home warm, provides light, and makes your home look better. Well-made windows also help prevent outdoor air from entering your home and protect your home and possessions from UV rays and sun damage while not reducing light.
  3. Smart Lighting: Modern technology has made homes more responsive to owner needs. With smart lighting, you can control your home’s lighting from a smartphone or table. This means you can control your lights even when you are away from home. This saves on energy, helps light bulbs last longer, and can help with home security.
  4. A Heated Garage: Adding heat to your garage offers benefits as a homeowner. A heated garage can protect your car from the winter cold and other extreme weather conditions. Plus, if you like working on your car, a heated garage offers the perfect area. A warm garage also makes getting ready for winter outings easier.
  5. Outlets for Outdoor Spaces: Having accessible outdoor plugs makes your outdoor areas far more versatile. If you plan on putting up decorations or doing any work outside, you need access to outlets to power your tools or displays. Outdoor outlets can also be useful for patios and outdoor seating areas for plugging in laptops, cellphones, and other devices.

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the ways you can make a custom home truly yours. When customizing a home, always keep your and your family’s needs at the front of your mind. Additions focusing on common needs and goals can greatly improve your quality of life.

Tips for Customizing Your Home to Fit Your Family’s Needs

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The design and layout of your home can dramatically affect your day-to-day life.

Home is where the heart is, where you raise your family and spend most of your time. It should be designed in such a way as to cater to your individual needs and the needs of your family.

Things to consider when customizing a home to fit your families needs.

1. Add a mudroom

How to customize your home to fit your families needs. We cannot emphasize enough the difference a mudroom will make to your life. It is a space in your home, usually located outside the main living areas, near the front or rear of the home. It serves a very specific purpose. It is a dedicated room where you can remove any muddy shoes or other outerwear before entering the home’s main living spaces, such as the kitchen, living area, or dining room.

This space usually includes plenty of storage space for every member of the home. There are dedicated locker-like spaces where kids can hang things like backpacks, and a space to put shoes, coats, and bags. These rooms are designed to be cleaned very easily and are easily maintained.

2. Creating a separate space for your kids

It’s important to create a separate space for the children’s rooms away from the master bedroom. This will provide privacy for the kids and the adults. Allowing kids to have this space will also encourage some form of independence and structure in their own space.

3. Add a flex room

A flex room is an excellent addition to your custom home.

It’s a room that may serve many different purposes in the period that you call the property your home. For example, a flex room may be used as a storage room when you first move in.

You could change it into a kid’s playroom when the kids get old enough, and you need to create a play space. This way, you keep the kid’s bedroom organized, or at least to some extent.

As the kids grow older, you may want to change the flex room into a study where they can go and finish homework after school. When the kids move out, you may want to change the flex room into a reading corner for yourself.

4. Jack and Jill’s bathrooms

Think about the family’s size, the home’s space, and access to shared bathrooms. A Jack and Jill bathroom that leads to two different bedrooms may be a great way to save space and allow multiple family members to have access to a shared bathroom. One child could use the bathroom sink while the other uses the shower or bath privately.

However, in some families, it may be better to include a small bathroom with each bedroom, to ensure privacy and that each child has access to their private bathroom.

5. Make your home kid-friendly

If you have kids or plan to have kids, you may want to consider making your home kid-friendly by adopting or adding any of the following:

  • Non-toxic paint and flooring
  • Fireplace safety
  • Kid-friendly staircase
  • Outlet covers
  • Safer shelving

Will 2023 Be a Good Time to Build a Custom House?

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Should I build a custom house in 2023? Only 19% of consumers believe that 2023 will be a good time to build a custom home, according to the Housing Sentiment Index. This is because interest rates are higher than ever before, with many expecting a recession in the future. If you are asking yourself this question, you may have already started the planning process. One of the first reasons is that construction costs have begun to drop. When the pandemic first began, everyone was seeing increases of up to 32%. But now, the pace of the increases has already begun to significantly slow down. It is expected that construction costs will begin to increase at a more consistent pace, between 2% and 4% in the year 2023.

Is 2023 a Good Time To Build a Custom Home?

Here are several more reasons to move on with your plans. In the year 2023, you can count on resale values to remain steady. Besides the market crash in 2008, many homeowners have rates under 5% versus variable rates that they were unable to afford. The low level of housing supply that is being seen now will still remain present without any reductions in value.

Besides the resale value, there is not a lot of competition when it comes to finding land. Over the past years, it has been a challenge for people to find available land to build their homes on. But, this is no longer the case, which means stability is finally present in the land market.

Another reason 2023 is a good time to build your home is that interest rates are more likely to decline. The mortgage market has already begun making predictions about falling rates. When it comes to mortgages, many people either sell their homes or refinance their loan before their loan ends. The lenders make money between the rate you are being charged and the fed funds. Currently, the spread on mortgages is much higher than it has ever been only because it is expected that many newly originated loans will be refinanced when rates start to decrease.

Not only will interest rates decline, but the supply chain has also begun improving. Now you no longer have to wait 12 months just to receive appliances and garage doors. Over the past several years, waiting for appliances has been the new norm. More than half of the builder materials dealers stated that the supply chain has improved and is expected to remain stable.

Picking the Perfect Finishes for Your Custom Home

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What finishes should I chose for a custom home? It can feel overwhelming to have a wide range of options available with different features to choose from. But, this process can be simple with the right tools, photos, and experts to help you out. Continue reading to find out various tips for picking the best finishes for your home.

Tips for Picking Finishes for Your Custom Home

Picking the perfect finishes for a custom hone doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips to help you along the way. First, don’t forget to gather all of the information you need before you start choosing any paint colors and flooring options. Take this time to come up with a budget and familiarize yourself with the building process. All of these things should then be discussed with your lender since you may have to pay more for upgrades in cash instead of them being financed. Also, don’t forget to decide on structural upgrades, including a finished basement, additional windows, and any room extensions or upgrades.

Once you have gathered all of the information you need, you can now check out various websites such as Pinterest and Houzz to get some ideas for styles. Use this time to save web pages and email links. This will help you later on not to get overwhelmed and keep a record of everything you like. Before scheduling an appointment with your design expert, visit your builder’s website to browse photos of homes to see what you like. You probably already have an idea of what you would like your new home to look like. But, you will need to decide on the things that are more important to you and start with those first.

Finally, you can begin to work with your design expert. You may have to schedule multiple sessions with your designer to choose the best options for your new home. But, if you don’t have many options, this process may be a bit quicker for you. You should begin by scheduling an initial consultation in person or by video conference. During this consultation, you can talk about the many options you have chosen. Don’t forget to ask questions. Once the basics have been established, you can start to narrow down your options. Your designer may advise you on the finishes and colors that blend well and even inform you about the quality of various products. You can also take advantage of online sources to compare different products and finishes.

4 Tips for Finding the Best Custom Home

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One of the best long-term investments someone can make is purchasing their own home. Beyond being a good investment, your home is also a place where you will spend a lot of time. Because of this, you will want to get a home that you love and meets all of your needs.

One way that you can do this is by purchasing and building your own custom home. When you are looking to purchase a custom home, there are a lot of factors to consider. Fortunately, there are various tips for picking a custom home that can make it a great option and investment.

Consider What Is Important

When looking for the best custom home, you must consider what is most important to you. There are many options to consider with any new custom home, so identifying the most important features should be your first priority. These can include square footage, home style, luxury amenities, outdoor space, and location. Once you have identified your most important features in the new home, it will make it easier to pair your options down to a more reasonable list size.

Have the Right Builder

When you are going to invest in any type of property, you will want to know that it is built well. While most people assume that a new custom home will be in great condition, there could still be near-term structure issues if it is not built well. Due to this, you should look to hire a builder and architect with a long track record and an excellent reputation for quality in your area. This should provide comfort that you are working with a reputable company that will build a quality home.

Ask Questions

When going through the process, various steps must be followed. This includes getting initial drawings, schematics, and blueprints from architects. These will then be the guide through the full home development. While you should be able to trust that everything is done well and in accordance with plans, you should never be afraid to ask questions. If a mistake is made, it is better to address it sooner rather than later.

Have a Budget and Prepare for Unexpected

Most people will know they need to budget properly for their home remodel. However, it is essential to remember that cost overruns can happen. Due to this, you should ensure that you have a contingency plan in place for additional costs that could arise.

If you are looking to have your own home built, there are a lot of choices to make to ensure you get a quality home that you will be able to enjoy for a very long time. When wondering how to find the best custom home, following these tips is very important as it can help guide your decision and ensure you get a quality property.

What To Consider When Building a Custom Home

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Custom home builds are not for everyone. But there certainly are some situations in which a custom home is the way to go. This quick guide will help you decide if you should consider custom home construction. Keep reading to learn more about custom home design tips and custom home layout ideas.

You Have a Specific Vision for Your Home

Not everyone wants to simply buy a cookie-cutter home in a subdivision. If your dream home is something that you have specifically designed in your mind, you should definitely consider connecting with a custom home builder. These professionals will be able to take your vision and turn it into a beautiful reality.

Trying to shop around to find your dream home could prove to be frustrating and fruitless.

You Want Built-Ins

Built-in storage and shelving does not often come standard with a pre-designed home. If you have been dreaming of custom made built-ins for entertainment areas, the kitchen, bath, or even the closets. They will be able to provide you with custom closet ideas, storage solutions, and more.

It is always easier to plan built-ins during the construction process of a new home build, rather than to attempt to have them added to a completed space.

You Want a Kitchen Nook

Kitchen nooks are an adorable addition to a kitchen space, but these are usually a custom creation. A kitchen nook provides a great way to bring in more seating into the kitchen area. Nooks are often good for smaller kitchens that otherwise may not have a lot of room for an eat in table or island.

You Need a Mudroom

A mudroom or a drop zone as some people call it is a great feature to have in any home. Unfortunately, many pre-designed homes do not come with this feature. Having your mud room custom made allows for you to add custom designed built-in storage, benches, and more.

You Want An Upstairs Laundry Room

Some homeowners wish to conserve all of their downstairs space for living space or entertaining space. This can be easily accomplished by making sure that all bedrooms, main bathrooms, and the laundry are all upstairs. Most average home designs will not have the laundry upstairs, though. If you want your laundry upstairs, you should reach out to a custom home builder in your area. They will have the skills to design your home exactly the way you have envisioned it.

You Want a Spa Bathroom

If you want more than just the average master bath, a custom home builder can design you a home spa that you’ll never want to leave. A home spa can include things such as a jacuzzi tub, luxury shower, sauna, and more.

Building a New Custom Home Versus Buying New Construction Home

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Building a New Custom Home Versus Buying a New Construction Home

Is it better to build or buy a house? As you intend to become a homeowner, this is a critical question you probably need answers to before making the final decision. Several benefits come from a new custom home build.

1. Customized Home

A personalized home is one of the crucial advantages you will be getting by opting to build your house. This means you will have an opportunity to decide on the kind of features you want to include in your home. For instance, if you want a particular type of kitchen, you can get it designed and fitted in your house. You might not have been able to do this when buying an already constructed home.

2. Picking the Best Location

The location of your home is something you need to take seriously. After all, it would help if you had a place you could call home sweet home. Fortunately, when building a house, you will have an opportunity to pick the best location for your property. You can buy a piece of land in a residential area where you feel comfortable and safe.

3. Achieving Your Dream Home

When you buy an already constructed house, there are high chances that you will not get all the features you want in your dream home. However, this should not worry you when you opt to build your house. This is because you can achieve your dream home as long as you work with the right professionals. You can easily decide to include all the features you want in your home without worrying about whether they will fit.

4. Avoiding Unwanted Surprises

It’s common for people who buy already constructed homes to come across some unwanted surprises. For instance, you might find out that the house you bought has some underlying issues. However, this will not be the case when you opt to build your home. You will be in charge of everything happening during the construction process. As a result, you will not have to deal with unwanted surprises.

5. Saving Money in the Long Run

Is it cheaper to build or buy a house? This is another crucial question you must ask yourself before making your final decision. In most cases, building a home is cheaper than buying an already constructed one. You will not have to pay for the labor costs as you will do everything independently. Also, you will be able to get discounts on the materials you will use to construct your house.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it’s evident that you will be getting several benefits from building your home. These advantages include having a customized home, picking the best location, achieving your dream home, avoiding unwanted surprises, and saving money in the long run. Contact Home Designs by Bruno today, and we will help you turn your dream home into a reality.

12 Exterior Custom Home Trends

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Exterior home trends 2022 seem to be highly focused on the issue of sustainability rather than the traditional aesthetics that have been trending for many years. However, this does not mean that such aspects are no longer fashionable. So, let’s dive into the exterior custom home trends currently dominating the market.

1. Neutral Colors

Exterior house color ideas 2022 are leaning toward the use of neutral colors. This is likely due to the continued focus on sustainability and the need for a more modern look. These colors can be used to create a clean and stylish look that will last for years to come.

2. Outdoor Living Ares

It’s not rare for property owners to want to spend more time outdoors. As a result, many homeowners are now looking for ways to create an outdoor living area. This can be done by adding a patio or deck to the home. Alternatively, some people are even creating outdoor kitchens for similar purposes.

3. Wood Accents

Wood remains a popular choice for exterior home design. However, it is now used more as an accent than the primary material. Like neutrals, wood lends to a sustainable vibe and a natural look.

4. Functional Lighting

Exterior lighting is no longer just about providing light for your home. It is now also about providing functional lighting that can be used for security, safety, and even decoration. This trend will likely continue as homeowners become more aware of the need for such features.

5. Light Color Stone Accents

This has not been a common trend but is now becoming more popular. Light stone color can also add a touch of elegance to your home.

6. Swimming Pools

Exterior structures such as swimming pools continue to be popular among homeowners as they provide a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. They can also be used as a gathering place for friends and family.

7. Exterior Black Accents

Today, many homeowners are choosing to use black accents on their homes. Black accents have become popular due to the need for a more modern and minimalist look. However, black can also create a sense of sophistication and elegance. These accents can be used on your home’s exterior and interior.

8. Outdoor Fireplaces

A modern outdoor fireplace is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while staying warm. This trend will continue as more people seek ways to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort. Outdoor fireplaces offer places to pass the time in summer evenings.

9. Paver Walkways

Paver walkways have long been a popular choice for homeowners. They are durable and easy to maintain. This trend will likely continue as they offer a classic look that will never go out of style. In addition, these walkways can be used to create various looks, from simple to elaborate.

10. Outdoor Spas

Traditionally, spas have been used for indoor relaxation. However, they are now being increasingly used outdoors. Outdoor spas can be a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

11. Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens have always been a popular choice for homeowners. However, they are now used more as a leading kitchen than just an outdoor cooking area.

12. Decorative Tiles

Traditionally, tiles have been used for their practical purposes. However, they are now also being used for their decorative value. This trend will likely continue as homeowners look for ways to add a personal touch to their homes. These tiles can be used on your home’s exterior and interior.

Conclusion

These exterior home trends are popular and offer a great way to add value to your home. They’re not only aesthetically pleasing but minimalist in nature. Consider these trends if you’re thinking of making exterior changes to your home.

Are Custom Homes Cheaper Than Pre-Built Homes?

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Are custom homes cheaper to build? Is it cheaper to build a home than buy a pre built home? These are two questions anyone in the market for a house is probably trying to answer. If you’re struggling to get a clear answer to your questions, don’t worry.  In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both options and help you decide which is right for you.

The Pros and Cons of Custom Homes

One of the main benefits of choosing a custom-built home is complete control over the design and layout. In addition, you can work with your builder to create a home that perfectly matches your needs and lifestyle.

Another benefit of custom homes is that they often come at a lower cost than pre-built homes. In addition, since you are cutting out the middleman, you can usually get a better deal on the materials and labor for your home.

However, there are also some downsides to custom homes. Building your own home can be a long and complicated process that requires a lot of time and effort from you. You will also have less flexibility in terms of location, as you will need to find a suitable lot for building.

The Pros and Cons of Pre-Built Homes

Pre-built homes have the advantage of being quick and easy to move into. You can usually find a home that is already built and move in within a few weeks or months. This is a welcome option if you are in a hurry to find housing or cannot build your own home for some reason.

However, there are also downsides to pre-built homes. For one thing, they often come at a higher cost than custom homes. This is because you buy the house from someone else and do not cut out the middleman. You may also have less flexibility in design and layout, as most pre-built homes are not customizable.

How To Decide Which Is Right for You

Now that you know the pros and cons of both custom homes and pre-built homes, how do you decide which is right for you? Here are a few tips:

  • Consider Your Budget

Custom homes often come at a lower cost than pre-built homes, but this may not be true in all cases. Do some research and compare prices to help you decide which option is most financially feasible for you.

  • Time Factor

Consider how much time and effort you are willing to put into building or purchasing a home. If you’re looking for an easy, low-maintenance option, pre-built homes may be better. However, if you’re willing to wait and put some time into building your own home, custom homes can be a great option.

  • Personal Lifestyle

Consider your needs and lifestyle. Do you have specific ideas about what you want your home to look like? If so, custom homes may be the better choice for you. However, if you’re not picky about design, pre-built homes may be just as good.

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s no significant cost difference between custom and pre-built homes. However, custom homes provide personal tastes, which is not the case for pre-built homes. If you’re looking for professionals to assist in your custom home, contact Home Designs by Bruno for assistance.

What Goes Into Building a Custom Home?

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Designing and building a custom dream home is a goal for many of us. You’ll choose everything you want in your home, without compromising your overall vision. You’ll design a home that is unique to your needs. Equally, you’ll be choosing all the fine-tuned details to complete your vision.On the other hand, a majority of custom homeowners aren’t architects or builders. The numerous details to consider and navigate can be overwhelming for the average homeowner. Issues of structural engineering and meeting code requirements for where you build should, at the least, be discussed with professionals.

So, how does a homeowner decide how to build a custom home?

Let’s take a look at some of the bigger decisions you’ll make as the homeowner, as well as the role of the professionals in this process.

Location, Location, Location

Before taking the time to design the full structure, you will need to determine where you’ll build. This can be a crucial decision for numerous reasons, as the type of home, the materials used, the local and state building codes you’ll encounter, and access to the land you’ve chosen are all factors to consider.

Codes and Structural Support

As just mentioned, you’ll need to determine the applicable building codes for the area you’re building. Let’s say you’ve found a pristine coastal location to build. In a state such as Florida, you have to build with the potential of hurricanes and storms impacting your house.

The proper structural supports, foundational pilings, and distance from the shore are all specific to your building area. A licensed builder in the area will know these requirements and should be consulted before finalizing decisions.

Architecture and Engineering

Once you’ve found (and cleared) your land, an architect can begin working up blueprints for your home. You’ll have lots of input on design elements, but an architect will be able to properly design the house so it works for the building process, as well as works aesthetically with your lot. Customization really happens in the blueprint stage, too, as the builder will be following these plans for construction.

Equally, an engineer is going to help determine the structural support needs. Where you put walls can be far more important than just partitions between rooms. The proper load-bearing walls will make or break your structure. Engineers will also have great input on what kind of building materials you’ll use.

Choose Your Crew Wisely

The right contractor is possibly the biggest decision you’ll make, as you want to pick a builder with experience and a good reputation in custom home building and experience building in the area you’ve chosen. Their knowledge can be critical for making fine-tuned adjustments before and during the build.

Interior Design Choices

Of course, there is another entire group of builders and designers who will help finish your home, once the structural build is complete. Interior designers and specific craftsmen will help transform your space into the final vision for your custom home.

These are just some of the steps in the custom home build process. It should be clear that you’ll encounter numerous decisions and processes to make your dream a reality. Consult the professionals, whenever possible. Your custom home plans shouldn’t be compromised. Don’t let unforeseen requirements halt you in your tracks.

Contact Us:

Home Designs by Bruno
75 Lebanon Avenue
Colchester, CT 06415

Phone: 860-537-5345
Fax: 860-603-2622

Email: bruno@homedesignsbybruno.com