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Thank you all for your input! Submariner that is very cool and inspiring and an affordable way to get what you want. I've actually looked into options like that and it seems like a good route to go. Lots to think about I will let you know what we decide!
Thank you all for your input! Submariner that is very cool and inspiring and an affordable way to get what you want. I've actually looked into options like that and it seems like a good route to go. Lots to think about I will let you know what we decide!
If you ever find yourself touring Maine, be sure to contact me. You are welcome to have supper with us, we can have many long talks about your ideas. We can show you what we have done.
I will be back for a family reunion in June and we are hoping to set aside extra time to travel around a bit. I will keep that in mind thank you for the offer!
You’re probably better off finding a development with new constructions and customize it yourself. Of course you will be limited too as far as “custom”. However, you won’t have to worry about permits, excavation, utility lines, ect.....Good Luck!
Be VERY careful about buying in a "development" Many have highly restrictive covenants. Then in addition, many towns have highly restrictive zoning. The listing agent may not be familiar with that particular town. Do your research regarding restrictions. Do not rely on superstitions. Get it in print.
All good points you guys have brought up, thank you all for the advice! Lots to think about and lots of planning & researching ahead of us... It will be worth it in the long run!
I'm currently building a house in mid-cost Maine. My experience may not be very generalizable, as it is a highly custom, non-traditional house.
I wouldn't tell anyone not to go this route, but I would keep in mind that it's hard to justify in financial terms. Constructions costs are high now (or at least were pre-Covid). There has been a labor shortage, with poaching of employees driving up labor costs. Immigration changes have also had this effect. Then there are tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber, and many other products (from China) that are used in construction.
Also, unless you have a fixed-price contract, the cost estimates from builders may prove quite inaccurate. I'm about 2/3 of the way through my build, and the current cost estimate is 31% higher than it was pre-construction. The same can be said of time estimates--my 15 month construction will now be more like 21 months.
I think I will be happy to have exactly the house I want. But I also realize that it will be worth considerably less than what it cost to build (not that I plan on selling it any time soon).
So, if cost-effectiveness is high on your list, buy an existing house. If you're more flexible on that front and have very specific wants and needs, build something--but expect the unexpected.
Not all pre-existing houses are giant victorians, we have a single story on an acre, you couldn't buy the wood for what we paid and I haven't needed to do very much work on it, garage roof was an easy $700 project.
Its well insulated, all new windows , oak floor etc.
I like the looks of some of the Amish steel houses, quick assembly and can be disguised so they don't look like a garage.
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