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Building Your Dream Home: How to Choose the Perfect Floor Plan

Building your dream home in West Michigan from the ground up is an exhilarating journey, but one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make along the way is selecting the perfect floor plan. With so many options available, it’s important to approach this decision with careful consideration. Don’t worry, though – I’m here to guide you through the process!

  1. Know Your Lifestyle: Start by envisioning how you’ll live in your new home. Are you a social butterfly who loves to entertain guests? Or perhaps you prefer cozy nights in with your family? Understanding your lifestyle will help you choose a floor plan that caters to your needs and preferences.
  2. Consider Your Future: While it’s essential to design a home that meets your current needs, don’t forget to think about the future. Are you planning to expand your family? Will aging relatives be moving in? Keep these factors in mind to ensure that your floor plan remains functional for years to come.
  3. Evaluate Room Layouts: Pay close attention to the layout of each room. Think about how you’ll use the space and whether it aligns with your lifestyle. Consider factors such as room size, location within the home, and flow between spaces. A well-designed floor plan will enhance both comfort and functionality.
  4. Think About Flexibility: Flexibility is key when it comes to selecting a floor plan. Look for features that can easily adapt to your changing needs. This could include multi-purpose rooms, convertible spaces, or options for future expansions. Keep your options open to accommodate any unexpected changes down the road.
  5. Maximize Natural Light: Natural light can transform a space, making it feel bright, airy, and inviting. When choosing a floor plan, prioritize designs that maximize natural light throughout the home. Consider factors such as window placement, orientation, and the use of skylights or glass doors to bring the outdoors in.
  6. Consult with Experts: Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from professionals, such as architects, designers, or real estate agents (ask me, I’m happy to help!!). They can offer valuable insights and help you navigate the complexities of choosing a floor plan. Their expertise will ensure that your vision becomes a reality while staying within budget and meeting local building codes.

Remember, building your dream home is a journey, not a race. Take your time to explore your options, ask questions, and envision the life you want to live in your new space. With careful planning and consideration, you’ll soon find yourself stepping through the doors of your perfect home.

Get a FREE Copy of my New Construction Guide!

Buying New Construction? Mistakes to Avoid

Brand new carpet, fresh paint, shiny appliances – what’s not to love about buying new construction? ⁣
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While that new home feel is intoxicating, buying new construction can be tricky without some initial know-how. So you can experience all the pros and none of the pitfalls, here are some mistakes to avoid when purchasing a new construction home.⁣
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Failing to research the area ahead of time. It’s easy to fall in love with a neighborhood and floor plan before doing your due diligence about the surrounding community.

  • Ask around to assess what’s happening (or not happening!) in the area that may impact your home’s value down the road.⁣
  • Research the school district, even if you do not have kids or ever plan to have kids, the school district ratings affect the real estate values in the area.
  • Drive through the neighborhood at several different timeframes of day to get a feel for what it’s like. If you’re looking for a quiet subdivision and drive through during mid morning it may feel quiet. If you drive through again during the evening there may be more chaos and traffic through the neighborhood. This is helpful to know when making a decision.

Not thoroughly vetting your builder/developer. A builder can make or break your experience buying new construction, so make sure you do your research. And don’t just take their word for it.

  • Ask for referrals. Talking to other clients that have experienced the building process and even more importantly have lived in a home that was built by the builder can be extremely helpful. A reputable builder should have former clients that they can put you in touch with.
  • Read online reviews. Be careful to put too much weight of these. Most people tend to be more willing to share negative experiences vs. positive experiences. Still I highly recommend reading what you find and keeping it in the back of your mind. If there are a lot of negative reviews, this is definitely a red flag.
  • Consult your Realtor. Realtors work with builders and sell spec homes all of the time. Your Realtor is a great resource for you in this process. In fact, I highly recommend that you involve them in the whole process. They will absolutely be your advocate and help you avoid common mistakes.


Waiving the home inspection. Heads up! Newer homes can have just as many problems as older homes, so don’t waive the home inspection. It can alert you to things your builder overlooked or didn’t properly complete.⁣

Not asking about what type of warranty the builder will give you with the home. Don’t just assume the home comes with a warranty. Find out what is covered and for how long.

Considering building a new home? I offer a free new construction guide to help you in the process.

Download Your FREE Copy of Buying New Construction


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Pros and Cons of New Construction

If you’re thinking about buying or building new construction consider these pros & cons:

Pros of New Construction

  • Custom-fit: Customizing your new home is the biggest pros of building new construction. It gives you the chance to design almost every inch of space to meet your needs.
  • No renovations: When you build or buy new construction, there’s no need for updating because your home will be up to date with materials, colors, and design from day one.
  • Builder warranties and financing incentives: Many builder warranties will cover anything that happens to the home within two years of the date of purchase.
  • That new home smell! Moving into a new home knowing that no one has ever lived there is an amazing feeling — plus, major systems and appliances won’t need replacing anytime soon.

Cons of New Construction

  • Cost: All that custom stuff? It comes with a price. On average, it costs around 20% more to have a new home built than to buy an existing one.
  • Limited options: Unless you build an entirely custom home, you may be limited in your design, floor plan, and finishing options.
  • Fluid sticker price: Because of delays, change orders, and added costs, it’s hard to know how much your new home will cost until the welcome mat is out.
  • Timeline: You can be kicking your feet up in an existing home in as little as 30-45 days. New construction? Stretch that timeline out to at least 3-12 months. 

Considering new construction? Use my guide to assist you through the process. There you’ll find questions to ask the builder, pros & cons checklist, lender information, a list of builders and some of the available communities in West Michigan and more! Click here to download!!

Questions to Ask Potential Home Builders

1. Do you have to use their preferred lender? Many builders work with a preferred lender that offers attractive discounts on closing costs when you finance through them. It’s important to know if the lender is working as a referral or if the mortgage company is owned by the same company that is building your home. If you are not required to use their lender, talk to other lenders to see who can give you the best financing.

2. Can you see a copy of the builder’s sales contract? Builders use their own contracts that are similar to a regular sales contract but include additional terms specific to the building process, such as at what points during building the contractor gets paid, and what options you have to choose from. Your agent can help you interpret the terms of the builder’s contract before you sign.

3. What is the timeline for completion? This will depend on whether the build is a production home, meaning the builder is building select models throughout the development, or if you have hired the builder to build a custom home. The builder should be able to give you a timeline outlining each phase of construction. Factors affecting the timeline include weather, delays receiving building supplies, or the number of changes you make along the way.

4. Can you choose features, fixtures, or appliances that are not in their selected packages? You may wish to upgrade certain items, such as cabinetry, plumbing, or lighting fixtures, or you may want to save money by buying your fixtures or appliances on sale. Make sure your builder is open to you making choices outside of their selections. Usually, they will work with you as long as your selections are available and can be installed without major changes to the structure.

5. What is in the landscaping package included in the price? Many people assume their finished home will look like the model or the graphics in the brochure, only to find out that the builder’s landscaping package is the bare minimum, or even non-existent. You may choose to upgrade it or plan to add your own landscaping.

6. Can the builder charge extra for unexpected cost increases? Look over the builder’s contract carefully, or have an attorney do so, and note if there is an escalation clause that would allow the builder to pass cost increases onto you in the event that materials or labor costs increase during construction.

7. What warranties are provided? Normally a builder offers a warranty lasting from six months to two years, possibly longer for some items. You should know what is covered under the builder’s warranty and for how long. All the major structural items and mechanical systems are usually covered. Appliances are not, but they should come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Damage from weather, shrinkage or expansion of the home or foundation, and anything resulting from the homeowner’s failure to provide maintenance or from work done on the home after construction is not covered.

8. What are the deed restrictions and is there, or will there be, an HOA? Developers usually file a subdivision’s restrictive covenants when applying for approval to build the development. Any persons buying a property in the development are bound to abide by these restrictions. You can get a copy of the deed restrictions from the builder. Also ask if there is, or will be, a homeowner’s association, what the HOA fees will be, and what they cover.

9. Is there, or will there be community amenities? Amenities may include a gate or guard, communal park or green area, pool, playground or recreational facilities, a dog park, or parking area. The amount of monthly or annual HOA fees will depend upon the amenities and the number of homes in the development.

10. Can you do a final walkthrough before closing? Usually, there will be a “punch list” of items the builder needs to finish up at the end of construction. This may include a thorough cleaning, touch-up painting, repairing drywall nicks or scratches, last-minute trim work, caulking around cabinetry, changing out or re-keying door locks, and replacing landscaping that didn’t survive planting. It’s important that you go through the home before closing to make certain that every detail is taken care of before you sign the closing documents. If you and the builder agree that they will come back after closing to finish some details, make sure both of you have signed off on the list of what is still to be finished.

Click Here to Get a FREE copy of my New Construction Guide!

Is New Construction for You? 3 Questions to Consider

1. How soon do you need to move into a new home?

If you need to move into something new rather quickly, new construction may not be the best option for you. On average in 2020 it took 7.7 months to complete the construction. With low inventory in existing homes and the high demand in West Michigan, many builders are extremely busy and not able to begin the project immediately so that may add to the wait.

2. Do you like to work on home projects and do-it-yourself?

If your answer is no, new construction may be a good fit. With everything brand new, all of your customizations chosen, and a home warranty you won’t need to do any fixing up for a while.

3. Are you looking for something specific?

If your answer is yes, new construction may be a good option. You’d be able to build something that fits your needs and desires. If you can find land in your desired location, your dream home awaits!