When you’re building a home there are several different ways you can cut your costs. Even if you’re building your dream home you should still look for ways to save money but not have to compromise too much. So what are the most cost effective upgrades when building a home? It’s difficult to say, however we’ll try. Here are some cost effective upgrades for the home you’re building.

Air conditioning: Depending on where you are building will depend on whether or not the air conditioner is included in the price of building. If you’re building within a community and there are a few basic blueprints for the homes in the area, air conditioning is most likely an added upgrade. So is it worth it to put it in? Well, if you want to turn around and sell the home it can definitely increase the value. Potential buyers love a home that stays cool in the hot summer weather. However, if you’re planning on living in it and can weather the hot days, you may want to wait and spend the extra cash on something else. Can you imagine in some states that A/C can be an added feature or upgrade? When I lived in San Francisco the apartment I was in had no A/C, but at that time, it was not needed. So in Texas, we usually look at the type it is; is there one unit for the whole house, is it zoned, programmable, etc. These add value here.

Extra bathrooms: Many of the basic home plans will include a bathroom upstairs where most of the bedrooms are, but will not include a bathroom on the main floor. It is considered an upgrade to add on and will definitely be worth the money spent. Not only is it more convenient to have a bathroom on the main floor, but it also adds value to your home. Potential buyers love seeing a bathroom or ½ bath on the main floor for guests to use. I have also seen this in reverse – no bathroom upstairs or out in the guest house.

Elevation: What’s the elevation? We’re not talking about the altitude or height of the home; we’re talking about the appearance of the outside of the home. Again, if you’re building in a community where there are a few different floor plans, you will generally have your pick of three or four elevations. One of those will be a basic elevation with no extra charge; the others are considered an upgrade. For example, there may be different rooflines and curves that make the home look different. Choosing a different elevation other than the basic one will usually add value to your home and give it curb appeal. It may also help to make your house more noticeable to potential buyers. Look at the homes around the one you are building to see what kind of elevation they used. Try to make yours different.

A finished basement: Most times you build a home the basement is not included with the price of the build. To have it completely finished when building is considered an upgrade and well worth your time and money. Finished basements can sometimes double the square footage of the home, which is what buyers are looking for these days. So it adds space and is cost effective because it will increase the value of your home. A finished basement might be the difference between your home and the one down the street. Basements are not as common in Texas as in other states.

So there you have it – some of the most cost effective upgrades when building. Take a look at your lifestyle needs and wants to help determine what your most cost effective upgrades might be. You may find that the above are on your list, and you may not. There are so many general upgrades when building, too. Some of them might be additional lighting, counter material, stone around your home, flooring choices, hardware, and others. As always, the key is to set a budget and stay within it.

Information for this article was taken from www.homebuildingremodeling.com

For all your real estate and building needs or questions, call Debbie at 830-833-4249 or 713-818-6658, or send an email to debbie@vallone realestate.net.