In the market for a new home but not sure whether building a custom home or buying on spec is right for you?
Here’s a brief guide to the main differences between a spec home and a custom home soyou can make the right decision for you and your family.
Custom homes
Custom homes are one-of-a-kind residences built for individual clients. Typically, the future custom-home owner already owns a plot of land or has a plot in mind for their home, and the builder works with them to bring their ideas to life. Clients work with the builder throughout every step of the process, from developing a floorplan to deciding on interior design details.
There are many pros of building a custom home. While the process takes longer than simply moving into a spec home, the results are always worth the effort and the wait. Some of the pros of building a custom home include:
● Personalization: When you choose to build a custom home, you get to pick out every detail of your new property. From flooring to finishes, square footage and more, each custom home reflects the stylistic preferences of the people who live there. You’ll collaborate with your designer and builder to create spaces that work best for your family, both now and in the future.
● Quality: If you buy an existing home—even a spec home—you get what you get. When you build a custom home, you have input regarding the materials and construction methods used in the homebuilding process, ensuring they’re of the highest quality possible.
● Cost: Building a custom home doesn’t always require a bigger budget than buying a pre-built property. You’re in charge of every aspect of design and construction when you build a custom home, effectively controlling the price point of every detail. By working hand-in-hand with your custom home builder, you can make sure your project stays on budget during every phase of the building process.
Spec homes
Spec homes are built from plans developed by the builder. The builder typically buys a lot and uses their own money to build a home, hoping for a financial return at the end of the process. Generally, most spec homes feature many elements that appeal to a wide range of buyers. If you want to personalize the property, you’ll likely have to make expensive changes after you’ve moved in.
Attention to detail is much lower when it comes to spec homes. Since builders are producing homes to make a profit, the materials used in a spec home are usually cheaper than those used in custom homes. If you’re looking for a home with personality or a home that can become your
dream home, a spec home probably isn’t your best option. Instead, go custom and get all the features you want from your next home.
Want to learn more about the differences between a custom home and a spec home? Contact the expert custom-home builders at UpDwell Homes LLC. Using decades of combined home-building experience, we can create a one-of-a-kind home that matches the needs of your family perfectly.
