Building a New Home in Connecticut: What Does “Location” Really Mean for You?

We’ve all heard the rally cry of real estate agents. When you ask them the most important thing to consider about buying a house, they’ll tell you: “Location, location, location!” But what does that really mean for you? 

Is “location” about convenience: being close to work, schools, activities, and entertainment? Is “location” about views: having vistas that soothe your senses and give you a sense of well-being? Is “location” about value: making sure that the other homes in your neighborhood will hold their value? 

We’d have to answer, “Yes, yes, and yes!” But if you’re considering building a new home in Connecticut, we’d also have to say that “location” means more than those things. Where you build is also driven by what you want from your home. 

Not everyone wants the same thing from their home. That’s one reason Sunwood Development offers three distinct communities from which to choose. 

Cobblestone: If you’re looking for a beautifully crafted, energy efficient home in a quaint Meriden neighbor hood, you may find just what you’re looking for at Cobblestone. You’ll find a great blend of convenience (with easy access to I-91, 691, I-84, the Merritt Parkway and Route 9) and quiet—with access to permanently preserved open space. And you’ll have plenty of options with six different home designs from which to choose. 

The Willows: If you’re looking for a new luxury home in an old fashioned community, The Willows could be the place you’ve been seeking. In addition to the exceptional quality and appointments you’d expect from a luxury home community, you’ll be able to enjoy generous back yards, panoramic views of Central Connecticut, and plenty of privacy—all just a bike ride away from Wallingford Center shops and services. 

Sonoma Woods: Perhaps you’ve reached that point in your life when you’d like to live life in a more relaxed atmosphere, with others that share your interests. Sonoma Woods may present you with the perfect option.  Of course, when we talk about relaxing, we’re also talking about plenty of activity. Residents of Sonoma Woods enjoy, travel, hiking, golf outings, and a host of neighborhood activities, conveniently located in Middletown. 

Which location is right for you? Take a closer look and decide for yourself!

How to Evaluate Your Middletown Custom Home Builder

 

If you’re serious about building a custom home in the Middletown area there’s a good chance that you’ve already spent some time thinking about the best location, and what features you want to build into your new home. Maybe you’ve even put a fair amount of thought and effort into the kind of floor plan you want.

Dreaming about what your house will look like is the fun part! At some point, however, you’re going to need some professional help to turn those dreams into reality. The good news is that you’ll have choices among a number of custom homebuilders in the Middletown area. But how do you make your choice? What criteria should you use to pick one builder over another? While a lot of things can factor into your decision, here are two things that are essential for you to consider.

Reputation: Building a custom home is too big of an undertaking to entrust to just anyone. You’ll be spending a significant amount of time, energy, and money to build your home the way you want it. That means you’ll want to select a builder with a reputation for delivering quality. And you want a builder that understands custom homes—not just cookie-cutter style houses. When you start interviewing builders, ask them to show you what they’ve done. Make sure you like what you see. When they give you references, make sure you check a few of them out. Ask the homeowners how happy they are with their home. And ask them to describe what it was like to work with the builder.

The Comfort Factor: One of the most critical factors in choosing a custom builder is whether or not you feel comfortable working with him. This doesn’t mean you and your builder will necessarily become best friends, or that you’ll invite him over for family movie night. But building a custom home means you will be spending a fair amount of time together. You’ll need to make decisions together. You’ll have to solve problems together. You want to make sure you’re dealing with someone that listens to you and understands what’s important to you. Make sure you’re comfortable with the fact that your builder knows your vision for your home and will bring his expertise to bear to make your vision a reality.

A lot of different parts go into building the home of your dreams. Your builder is the one who will be responsible for pulling all those parts together and making the dream happen. Whatever else goes into your decision about which custom builder to choose, make sure you select someone with a reputation you can count on and someone who listens and understands what you want.

Adults Only Living in Connecticut: The Kids Are All Right

(as Long as They Go Home at Night!)

If you are a person “of a certain age” (OK, you can admit you’re 55 or older) living in Connecticut, you may be thinking about a change in lifestyle. You’re not ready for a retirement community, but you could do without some of the hustle and bustle and noise of the neighborhood you’ve been living in. Maybe you’d like to move into a home that requires a little less maintenance. Maybe you’re tired of picking soccer balls out of your prize rosebushes. Maybe you’re tired of hearing the latest hip-hop songs played at full volume when you’re trying to sleep. And maybe you’d just like to spend more time around people your own age.

 You can give up the noise, congestion, and constant upkeep without giving up the comfort and privacy of your own home. But if your current home no longer fits your lifestyle, you may want to consider something other than a major remodel. A community for adults 55 and older gives you the opportunity to make a fresh start and still have plenty of time to enjoy the amenities of single-family living.

Sonoma Woods is a community for adults 55 and up, located on Westfield Road in Middletown, Connecticut.  This beautiful community of 68 detached single-family homes is designed with large areas of protected open space. It’s a quiet community—with room to breathe. All homes will have main floor master bedrooms that will allow you to live comfortably on one level for a long time. Homes also feature open floor plans for a spacious feel. And these home are designed to be low maintenance.  All homes will be built to Energy Star standards.

Just because you’ve reached a certain age doesn’t mean you’re ready for apartment living with 300 of your closest friends. But you don’t have to settle for staying where you are just because that’s what you’ve always done. Is a 55+ community right for you? We’d be happy to talk with you about what Sonoma Woods has to offer—and show you how nice it can be. If you want more information, please shoot us an email.

What are your biggest questions or concerns about living in a 55+ community?