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Sealed and conditioned crawlspace.
Real hardwood floors.
Over-sized garage.
Curbless Walk-in shower.
Spray foam insulation.
Got those but the 3 car garage isn't really "oversized" (its 650+ sq ft). Ideal would be 2 more feet on back wall and 2 more feet on each side. 10 foot ceilings are nice and a 6X4 deep corner is decent.
I have a perfect garage pic: My Yukon, M3 and 911 in the garage with NOTHING else, 12 tires on the ground only. Of course the movers came the next day and filled it with junk!
Definitely built in bookshelves and storages. Looks neater and reduces clutter.
In the garage I was going to do New Age, Costco sells them in a neat package but only 36 inch cabinets (too small). I went with triple 48 inch (6 ft high, 4 ft wide) Home Depot Cabinets and that looks great on the back wall of the garage. They were on sale for $375 and took an hour to assemble.
Either a range hood exhaust or down-draft island exhaust
A deep two-compartment sink in the kitchen
Built-in Wine and Beverage refrigerator
Sliding pocket glass doors to open entertaining area
Recessed lighting throughout on dimmer switches
Butler's pantry
Banquette seating in eat-in kitchen
Zero transition shower entries
Comfort height toilets
Split HVAC system (Mitsubishi)
Electric fireplaces (LR and primary bedroom)
Wide ledge windows/window seats
Mudroom/laundry room w/wash basin/half bath
Garden-soaking tub in primary bathroom
Smart Home system (security/energy conservation)
Outdoor kitchen/fireplace and paver patio with partial coverage for weather
Who has either built their own home or is a general contractor? My guess, based on many suggestions the answer is none or just a few. Most of the suggestion would result in contractor quality items and many over charges. The key is... if you can do it later on or on your own do not include the item in your mortgage. What you do want to do is include as many "back bone" items as you can for future use. Example... design a spot for a wine cooler, do not have the contractor supply the wine cooler. Buy a appliance package from an appliance dealer... negotiate a credit from the builder. Same with Flooring, or cabinets, counter tops, etc. 50% of your price of a home (not including the land) is in bathrooms, kitchens and flooring so using some common sense, and knowing most of the items are accessories and will be replaced at some point... use that to your advantage.
Appliances, fixtures and flooring are expensive from a contractor and usually poor quality. Why include them in the mortgage?
My last two home were new builds. Not custom built but in a development of small patio homes with many options to choose from. Typically in a development there is not a lot of wiggle room on the base price but one can wheel and deal on options like hardwood floors, screen porches, etc. I say get all you want form the get go. Do not say well I can add so and so later as you will probably not get around to doing so.
A $250K home at 7% over 30 years is $1,163.00 per month. A $275K home at 7% over 30 years is $1,830.00 per month. For $167 per month you can get $25K worth of options but as one can deal on the options you could probable get close to $40K list price of options. If you can afford$1,200 per month you can afford $1,390 per month. If not you might well be in over your head.
* kerdi system by schluter shower and bath kits (this is a serious must if you wish to avoid mold).
i had these installed in four bathrooms at our old house, and now in seven bathrooms in our new build.
there is never any mold/mildew growing in grout and never anything to scrub. (thank me later)
My last two home were new builds. Not custom built but in a development of small patio homes with many options to choose from. Typically in a development there is not a lot of wiggle room on the base price but one can wheel and deal on options like hardwood floors, screen porches, etc. I say get all you want form the get go. Do not say well I can add so and so later as you will probably not get around to doing so.
A $250K home at 7% over 30 years is $1,163.00 per month. A $275K home at 7% over 30 years is $1,830.00 per month. For $167 per month you can get $25K worth of options but as one can deal on the options you could probable get close to $40K list price of options. If you can afford$1,200 per month you can afford $1,390 per month. If not you might well be in over your head.
That would be $1663.00 for 250K, not $1163.00
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