Building Blog

Sometimes there can be a collision when you’re trying to balance the features you want in your new custom home with the budget you’ve set. It can be a little challenging (and even frustrating) when you have to decide what stays in the plan and what has to go. It’s one of the great “conflicts” in building a custom home: Wants vs. needs. How can you identify wants and needs before the building process begins so you can stay within your budget?

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Your housing needs may have changed over the years. If you’re a younger family, you may have more kids now—or older kids that need more room. If you’re a more mature family, the kids may be gone and you’re thinking about downsizing. Or you might be in a situation in which you’ll have older relatives moving in. However your situation may have changed, you may be asking, “Should I build a new home or buy an existing home?” Here’s help for evaluating whether building a new home or buying an existing home is the right choice for you.

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We’re going to continue our The Best Floor Plan Series—with a look at the best floor plans for aging-in-place. There has been a noticeable trend toward older homeowners wanting to stay in their own homes as long as possible—rather than move to a retirement community. It’s not surprising because many seniors today are much more active than they were just a few decades ago. But if you’re thinking about building a new home that will allow you to age-in-place, there are more things to consider than simply adding a few grab bars. It all begins with the right floor plan.

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We’ve recently posted a number of articles in our The Best Floor Plan Series—that take a look at some great plans for building a new Connecticut home. We’ve looked at the best floor plans for empty-nesters, and also at the best plans for a young family. It can be fun to look at the different options and styles, but at some point, you'll be faced with a decision. You'll have to choose which plan is right for you. How do you arrive at the right choice? Here's a look at 6 steps for evaluating a home floor plan that can steer you in the right direction.

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In recent years there has been a trend toward locating Master Suites in new homes on the main (or first) level. There are some pretty compelling reasons for this trend (and it’s a trend that doesn’t seem to be going away). But is locating your Master Suite on the first floor the right move for you? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of first-floor master suites. Then you can decide for yourself.

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