DESIGNING

YOUR HOME

From lot loan to new home

DESIGNING YOUR HOME: CREATING YOUR PLANS

Start with the Style of the Home

Choosing the style of the home will help you connect with many of the design choices that need to be made. The most common home styles include rambler, two-story, ranch, or multi-level. Next, you will focus on home size. Start with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms then move to the kitchen and dining room. How big do you want these rooms to be? Finally, look at your special purpose rooms like laundry, mudroom, walk-in closets, pantry, home office, or even a home theater room. With this information, you will be able to estimate the square footage of your home.

The Right House for Your Lot

Your lot can play a big part in style, floor plan, and functionality. For instance, if you have a small site, you may need a two-story home. Maybe your lot is elevated or uneven so the garage, porches, landscaping, driveways, and walkways may need special consideration. On the other hand, maybe the lot has a steep slope that may make a portion of your land unbuildable. In the end, the home should sit comfortably on the building site once it is finished. Keep in mind Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs). CC&Rs are rules that define what is allowed and what is not in the development or subdivision regarding the building of your home. Be sure to obtain a complete list of the CC&Rs for the neighborhood or community, if applicable, to avoid any last-minute changes to your home plans. They might include height restrictions, minimum and maximum setbacks, square footage requirements, exterior building material requirements, exterior colors, and even the style of the home. If your home is in a Homeowner’s Association, or HOA, you may also have additional requirements.

Custom vs. Stock House Plans

Stock House Plans

Some builders offer a variety of pre-determined house plans (or stock plans) for the subdivision. Typically, builders will have set allowances for most categories, with the option to pay for additional upgrades. For some builders, these upgrades can be part of your plans all the way to your finishes. This option is great for someone who is looking for something timelier or does not know where to start. If this sounds like the best option for you and your family, your next step would be finding a builder who offers stock plans.

Stock House Plans

If you do not want to go with stock plans, hiring an architect for a custom design is a good route. Architects often work through referrals, so doing your research will enable you to find the right person. Once you have selected your architect, it will be a process of updates and revisions to get to the final set of house plans.

Call or Click Now - Experienced Mortgage Experts Standing By

Email icon

Email us

mortgagecc@usucu.org

SMS icon

Send us a text

385-206-6780

By sending a text message, you consent to receive a text message response from USU Credit Union. Your provider's message and data rates may apply.

Phone icon

Call us directly

801-786-8400

mortgage experts
available right now!