Your Building Blog for the Rochester Area

We Americans love our choices and options. If you don’t believe me, take a walk down the cereal aisle in one of the Rochester-area supermarkets and look at all the different options you’ve got for breakfast cereal!  The same thing is true when it comes to your housing needs. You have options for meeting your family’s needs. But should you build, buy or remodel? What’s the right choice for your Rochester home?

The answer, of course, will depend on what you’re looking for in a home. Your budget and the timing of your move will also be factors. Your specific needs will be different from those of others, so there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer to whether you should build, buy or remodel.

That's why it may be more helpful for you to compare some of the advantages and disadvantages of your various options. Here's a quick overview of some of the pluses and minuses of building a new home, buying an existing home, or remodeling your current Rochester home.

Building a New Custom Home

ADVANTAGES:

• Your home will be built to your exact specifications. You’ll be involved in the process from the ground up to ensure you get exactly what you want.
• You’ll start with a clean slate. That means you won’t have to work around existing structural constraints or styles in order to get what you really want.
• You get to put more of yourself into the way the home is built. Your home can reflect more of your personality.
• With a new custom built home, you'll have lower initial maintenance costs (because it's new) and down the road because of the quality of materials and craftsmanship.
• Custom built homes are more likely to use green building materials and technologies—resulting in lower utility bills and a decreased impact on the environment
• With a custom home, you can build in features such as higher ceilings and bring in more natural light.
• New custom homes offer the advantage of a basement that's dry from the beginning and remains dry because of the quality of construction.

DRAWBACKS:

• There is a cost differential. Custom homes tend to cost a bit more than tract homes (but bear in mind that you’re getting more as well, so you have to take overall value into consideration).
• You may face some delays before you can move in. If immediate occupancy is important this can be an issue and you may have to stay where you are longer—or find a temporary solution.

• Custom building is a lot more “hands-on.” You’ll face a lot more decisions about the design and finish of your home. That can consume a lot of time and mental energy.

Buying a New or Existing Home

ADVANTAGES

• Buying an existing home gives you the ability to move in more quickly. There’s no waiting for construction to be completed—your home is “move-in ready” right now.
• Existing homes generally have landscaping already done—and it’s often more mature. In addition to looking nicer, it can save you money later on.
• Buying an existing home requires fewer decisions. If the thought of deciding on finishes and features and the like leaves you cold, you avoid all that. 

By the way, at Gerber, we frequently have existing models for sale that allow you to see a finished home that nobody has ever lived in—and move in quickly. Click here to check out our current inventory.

DRAWBACKS:

• An existing home sits on an existing lot and you have to take what you get. You don’t have the option of choosing the lot you like best.
• You’ll be somewhat limited with regard to how much you can customize your home. If you like the way the home is designed and finished, that’s great, but if you want to make changes it will take time, effort, and money.

• If you’re buying a home that someone else has lived in you don’t get to “break in” your new home. Some people really like the idea of being the first ones in their new home. Also, your fixtures and appliances won’t be brand new (unless you’re buying a model).

Remodeling Your Existing Home

ADVANTAGES:

• If you live in a neighborhood you love that is convenient to work, schools, and other activities, you don’t have to pull up roots and start anew.
• You can avoid the stress and extra expense of a major move. There will be some disruption—but it’s not the same as moving. 
• Good remodeling isn’t cheap but it’s probably going to be less expensive than building from scratch. 

DISADVANTAGES:

• You have to be prepared to deal with the noise, mess, and disruption that come with the remodeling process. (BTW, here’s an article with tips on  how to prepare for remodeling)
• You may not be able to make all of the changes you want because of existing structural issues—or code restrictions.

If you really don’t like the overall style of your current home (i.e. You really want a rancher and you’re in a two-story) your remodel may not be able to address that issue.

It’s good to have options. And while you may have additional questions that you need to address before you decide what’s best for you and your family, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages above will give you a good start on your decision-making process.

What should you do if your current Rochester home is no longer meeting your needs?  Family dynamics can change. Perhaps you’ve added a child or two since you first moved in. Perhaps you’ve had an older family member move in with you and you want to be able to accommodate them comfortably. Maybe you need to make some changes that address the needs of multiple generations. Or it could be that you’re looking ahead to your own retirement and want to make sure you’re in a place you’ll enjoy for years to come. How do you go about creating your perfect Rochester home? Is new right for you?

Often, the first thing homeowners think about in response to changing needs is making a move to a new home. Sometimes that’s the right move. For some individuals, however, a new home isn’t what they really want. What if you really like the neighborhood you’re currently living in? What if you have a great relationship with your neighbors? Good neighbors aren’t a guarantee when you move into a new community. And what if you essentially like your house?

Remodeling your home is a great way to get the space, comfort, and convenience you want from your home—without having to move. Whether it's an extra room or a new second floor, Gerber Homes & Additions can work closely with you to turn your existing home into the home you really want and need. We’ve developed an approach that allows side, back, and second-story additions to be completed while your family remains in the house throughout construction.

You may not need to do a full-blown addition to your home. You may simply want to re-purpose some of your existing space to make better use of it. Maybe you find yourself working from home more often—but don’t like the idea of setting up shop in the kitchen or the spare bedroom. Here’s a look at how to create a great home office.

It could be that simply re-designing your kitchen will make your home more comfortable and convenient. Here’s a look at kitchen features you’ll want to take into consideration—whether you build a new home or remodel your existing home.

By the way, if you’re closing in on retirement and want to make sure your home will be safe and comfortable as your needs change, here’s a post that talks about remodeling issues you’ll want to take seriously.

If you love where you live—but it simply doesn’t meet your needs anymore—it doesn’t mean you have to move if you don’t want to. I invite you to download our free Create Your Dream Home eBook. It will help you decide whether building or remodeling is the right way for you to get the home of your dreams. And it’s packed with helpful design tips that can help you get what you really want from your new—or remodeled—home. Is new really right for you? This eBook will help you decide what’s best for you!

We Americans love to have our choices. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the cereal aisle in the grocery store! That same affinity for options holds true when it’s time to build a home in the greater Rochester area. That’s one reason we offer so many different choices of floor plans. If you glance through our plans you find Colonial homes, first-floor master homes, patio homes, ranch style home, Cape homes, and even homes that offer in-law layouts.

The only problem with having so many choices is that at some point you actually have to make a choice. But how do you pick the right floor plan for your family’s specific needs? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you select the plan for your new Rochester home.

What Makes a Good Fit?

When it comes to plans for your home, one size (or style) doesn’t fit all. Before you fall in love with a floor plan because it looks nice, you’ll want to consider your lifestyle. Do you like to entertain? What kinds of activities does your family enjoy? What about your kitchen? Will the kitchen in the house you build match your personality?

How Flexible Are Your Plans?

What do you do when you find a floor plan that’s almost right? Are you locked into it, or can you change it? Some builders simply don’t allow for changes. What you see in the plan is what you’re going to get. That’s not a criticism. It’s just the way their business model works. At Gerber, we take a slightly different approach. We’ll work with you to make modifications and adjustments. In fact, even though we offer dozens of great plans, we’ll will also work with a plan you bring us to make sure you get what you want and need.

Planning for the Future

Your home is a long-term investment. Chances are you’re going to be in your home for a while. That means your needs (and even your tastes) will change. It’s easy to overlook the fact that small children, who can easily share a bedroom when they’re little, will grow into teens and adolescents who will want their own space. Then there are your own needs to consider. Stairs may not be a concern to you at all right now—but what about five or 10 years from now? You may want to consider a single-level home or a home with the Master Suite on the first floor.

I like to tell prospective homeowners that the floor plans are really a starting point. The important thing is to create a home that meets your needs, satisfies your sense of style, and fits your budget. That may take a bit of work and time—but we think it’s the best way to get a great home that you’ll love for years to come.

I invite you to check out this short and informative video in which I explain a bit about how our process for choosing the right floor plan works.  Instead of having to adapt your lifestyle to the floor plan you chose, we think your floor plan should adapt to your desires and lifestyle!