SEARCHConsidering a log home? Use the fall and winter to plan!
If you've decided that building a log home is in your future, you are incredibly lucky. Log homes are coveted for their beautiful, natural look and cozy feeling. While fall and winter aren't exactly the best times to break ground on a home, there is so much to do before you actually start the process of building that this cooler time has become the best time to start planning for your new log home.
Make detailed decisions
If you've never built or remodeled a home before, you might be surprised at the amount of decisions and details that go into planning for a brand new space. Everything from flooring, countertops and cupboards must be decided upon and handpicked by the owner. It's a good idea to start gathering ideas and "looks" that you gravitate toward before you start shopping. Many homeowners find keeping a binder or a folder on your computer full of ideas helpful so when it's time to really start choosing, they can narrow down what will actually work for their family.
Take tours of log homes
Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit finished log homes and choose a floor plan that you will want for yours. It's also a good time to see some of those special finishing details on these houses in person and see if it’s something you want for your own home. Fall is also when log home shows take place, and spending an afternoon browsing these shows can answer several of your specific questions. They allow you to see the scale of certain things in real life and discover how they'll work in your space.
Not only is it a good idea to visit finished log homes, it's also a good idea to visit some log homes that are in the process of being built. It is quite fascinating to see walls being raised and a home take shape. This is also a good way to familiarize yourself with the construction phase and see how your house might look when it’s in the middle of being built.
Pay attention to spaces
With holidays around the corner, you can see what spaces are truly important to you when your family gathers. These are often the times that people wish for certain things in their homes like a bigger dining room or a better placement of a bathroom. Pay attention to these thoughts so you can make them a reality in your next home. This is also a time when families have a little more time to catch up and talk. This will be prime time to get advice or ask opinions.
Look for financing
Although not as fun as the designing process, fall and winter are a good time to start shopping around for great financing. Find out what kind of loan you will be able to get and at what interest rate. This is something you'll be happy you took care of when planning so it doesn't slow down your building process.
Get ready!
Finally, start getting excited because once warmer weather hits, it will be the perfect time to break ground on your dream log home. You'll be happy you started the planning process early and this will (hopefully) make the construction phase go much smoother.
