If you had the choice of buying a home that didn’t quite meet your needs or building something perfect, which would you go with? If you chose “building something perfect,” you should know that building a custom home is a genuine option for many buyers. While building a new home may seem out of reach, it truly isn’t as far off as you may think.

Here are 5 benefits of building a custom home. These facts may have you rethinking your approach to buying a home in the Triangle.

One of the big benefits of building a custom home is that you’ll have the ability to find the right lot for your needs. Shopping for a lot may create opportunities you didn’t know existed previously. For example, you could search for a spacious lot with plenty of land in one of the rural communities outside of Raleigh. Or you could start looking for the perfect spot in a new Triangle community. It’s possible you don’t even know where to start and need to rely on a real estate agent to help you. No matter where you are in the process, one of the benefits of building a custom home is that you aren’t limited to the homes that are on the market. You can find the right lot based upon what you want for your next home.

If you haven’t yet found a lot, you can always work directly with a real estate agent or the builder you want to use to find a great location. If you have an ideal location in mind, you can talk to an agent to look for that perfect lot. They are often aware of infill properties you may not even know exist. In fact, many of The Jim Allen Group’s neighborhoods feature custom builders.You can talk to an agent about finding the right luxury neighborhood in locations across the Triangle, such as Cary’s Chandler Cove or Sanctuary at Yates Mill; North Raleigh’s Montreaux or Falls Reserve; Clayton’s Tuscany; Wake Forest’s Trinity Forest, Prescott Manor, Waterstone Manors, Wexford Reserve,or Camberly; Jordan Pointe in Apex ;or new construction opportunities in established communities. When you know what you want your home to be close to, it can help you identify the perfect piece of land for your needs.

Building your own home allows for a high level of customization, starting from finding the right floor plan that suits your needs to picking the design details that will make your home feel like you. You can work with your builder to daydream what you need in your home, whether it’s a home office, a scullery pantry, more space for entertaining, or something as simple as trendy gold knobs in your kitchen.

In fact, if you choose to build a fully custom home, you can even influence decisions on building materials, including eco-friendly options for your home. You can talk to your builder about taking advantage of clean energy initiatives by installing solar power, geothermal technology, and energy-efficient solutions. You aren’t limited when building custom, which is a major benefit.

When you’re building new, you’ll want to shop for a builder who meets the standards you’re looking for in a home. When you do your homework by interviewing potential builders and request their portfolios, you’ll be able to choose the highest-quality builder that suits your unique needs, if your budget allows for it. Buying standing inventory doesn’t always allow you to customize your home to the level you might be seeking, or choose the product you desire. 

A good builder will provide you with past client reviews and allow you to tour some of their homes to see the level of quality they offer. Once you can see the details first-hand, you’ll be able to trust that the home your building is of the highest quality. In short, building custom will give you true peace of mind.

One of the most beneficial features of building a custom home is that the competition goes away. Once you have the lot, all you’ll have to worry about is building the perfect home for your individual needs.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, competition made the purchase of a home incredibly stressful for many potential buyers. With buyers making offers well over asking price and even waiving inspections, the market was creating demand for homes that ended up needing major repairs or renovations. With a custom home, you’re able to make decisions without competition raising what you’re willing to pay for a house that needs work. Be sure to discuss your budget with your lender to make sure the option makes sense for you.

While building custom may take longer than buying standing inventory, it may offer you some flexibility to be able to plan your move a little easier. Right now, Triangle-area builders are taking nine or ten months to build a custom home. And depending upon things like weather, permitting, and material shortages, your timeline may have to change.

However, builders will review deadlines with you to make sure you can plan accordingly. And with a little planning, you’ll have plenty of time to adjust your own timeline to make sure you’re able to transition into your new home on the right schedule for your needs.

It can be advantageous to build a custom home. You’ll get the home you want in a location that makes the most sense for you. And you’ll get it without the competition that can add to your stress level. The benefits are worth considering custom building for your next home.