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Log Homes - Build or Buy?
It's
a common dilemma, "Should I build a new log
home, or buy an existing log home?" The answer
to this question will depend on a number of factors,
many of which are very individual.
Benefits of Buying
No need to visualize - An
advantage of buying an existing log home is
that you don't have to try to imagine what it's
going to be like when it's finished. You can
see exactly, and quickly determine if you like
it or not.
Shorter time to move in -
Unless other factors are at play, you can purchase
and move into an existing log home faster than
you can build a new home. If time is an important
factor, buying may be your best choice.
Fewer decisions to make -
Building a custom log house means making a thousand
decisions, which can be overwhelming to some
people. Buying an existing home significantly
reduces the number of decisions to be made.
Easy to make changes - Because
log homes have an open architecture and fewer
load-bearing walls than conventional "stick-built"
homes, making interior changes, even major changes,
to an existing log home is relatively easy and
inexpensive.
Cost is more predictable -
An existing for-sale home has a known asking
price; a not-yet-built home doesn't have a known
price until it's completed. Information about
other costs, such as for heating, insurance,
utilities, and taxes are also known for an existing
home — from the previous owner.
Better location selection
- In many parts of the country, it may be easier
to find a an existing home in a great location
than to find a great location for a new home.
Many of the top spots for log homes are already
built on and buildable property has been picked
over.
Less stress and strain - It
is well known that building a new house is a
complex, time consuming, and a generally stressful
process, even if you have a contractor handling
the details. If you're not up to the task, buying
an existing home will typically be simpler and
less straining.
Benefits of Building
Greater control - You get
to build exactly the home you want rather than
accept any compromises that may come with a
pre-owned home. If your requirements are very
specific and unique, building may be the best
way to go.
More choices - When building,
you have choices of floor plans, log styles,
log species, corner styles, stain color, roof
styles, appliances, fixtures, colors, and a
thousand other options. Many people love choices
and decision-making — others don't.
Being involved - When building
new, you get a chance to be intimately involved
and put a part of yourself into your new home.
You can even participate the construction. You
can monitor every step of the process to make
sure the job is being done correctly. This can
be very satisfying.
Opportunity to save money
- If you act as your own contractor or do some
of the construction work yourself, you may be
able to build a new home for less money than
to buy an existing home. If your budget is tight,
you have options for compromising to save money.
Location independence - When
buying an existing home, you may be caught in
a situation in which you've found the perfect
house on a not-so-perfect location, or vice
versa. Building a new home may give you the
chance to have both the perfect house and the
perfect location.
New is great - Some people
simply like the idea of having something new
that is uniquely and exclusively theirs. Moving
into a brand new log home can be an exciting
experience. Having the latest gadgets, appliances,
conveniences, and styles may also be important
to you.
Summary
There is no right answer to whether it's better
to buy or to build. Your decision will be based
on your own personal preferences, priorities,
and individual circumstances. In general, if you
are flexible, have the time to look, want to live
in an already developed area, and prefer a home
that is already "broken in", then you
may prefer to buy an existing home. On the other
hand, if you want total control, have specific
needs, are flexible on cost and time, and don't
mind a little stress, then building a new home
may better meet your needs.
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