Buying a home can be an exciting investment opportunity that will be sure to have you raking in a hefty profit, especially in a great housing market like the one currently in Arkansas. Currently, there are more than 3 million people living in Arkansas, causing a housing boom that you should be sure to get in on ASAP. Making a profit all depends on how you invest in your home, how you budget, and understanding that certain qualities of a home will attract future homebuyers. Among these, location, weather, schools, and the look of a home are just some of the things future homebuyers look for when determining their selection. All these qualities apply just the same, and in Arkansas, you can be sure people are also looking for low property taxes when buying their home. Indeed, buying a home in Arkansas and then re-selling it seems relatively simple and profitable. Why, then, should one build a home from scratch? Is it really worth it?
Buying Vs. Building
Building a home in Arkansas rather than buying is absolutely worth it if you know what you’re doing and what you want. Some tips for building your own home are to first and foremost understand that the process is a little different than buying a home outright. For starters, when you build a home, you have to buy the land that comes on it, which takes more cash up-front. Luckily, the cost of living in Arkansas is relatively low, allowing you to save up faster for a plot of land to build on. Property taxes in Arkansas are some of the cheapest in the country, so owning your own land won’t cost much in the long run. Building your own home is a great way to ensure you know your home is structurally sound, know the look and feel is aligned with your tastes (whether it’s modern or rustic), and also to customize features that any homebuyer would be jealous of.
State Laws
Some of the most important tips for building your own home are to do adequate research on budgeting, licensing, and contracting work you must do. In Arkansas, you have three options for building your home. You can work as a general contractor yourself, without having any prior knowledge, and build your home from the ground up. However, if you feel things aren’t going right and begin to face issues, you cannot hire any unlicensed contractors. Option two is to hire licensed contractors who must have licenses in everything (and we mean everything). Masonry, tile, countertops, drywall, cabinets, and ceilings are just some of the licenses that are required by these contractors. The option most people opt for is to hire a general contractor that, by Arkansas law, doesn’t have to hire licensed help, but can hire whoever they want to do a job. This is the best option, and the easiest one to be able to get your housing project done.
What to Build
Certain features in homes are sure to make your home’s value go up. When you start your building project, it can be beneficial to list the features you want in your home when you begin planning so you can budget for them. These added features will be sure to not only add value to your home, but also make your time living there comfortable. In addition, choosing location and size for a plot of land can make all the difference when living in Arkansas. If you want to know what to add to your Arkansas house to make it a valuable home, here are 15 must-haves all home building contractors should add to your home.
1. Choosing a Good Location
One of the best tips for building your own home is to choose a location that is valuable, affordable, and nearby great schools and shopping centers. Not only will this be a popular spot for homebuyers to search for homes, but also for you to enjoy your time if you choose to live at your home forever. Start by talking to some realtors about places to choose in Arkansas. Some hot locations for homes are currently in Cave Springs, Bentonville, and Centerton.
2. Choose and Budget Sturdy Land
In all-natural settings, such as those in Arkansas, you must budget for your land and consider things such as testing for soil and potable water. Lots of plots of land in Arkansas are in remote areas, so it’s important to know how you will be able to get water and even farm your land if you choose to do so. You might need soil tests to determine whether or not the land will support your infrastructure and buildings, and so it’s important to budget for your land, these tests, and closing costs. Being picky about your land will guarantee that you will be able to keep your home’s infrastructure from being weakened.
3. Proper Foundation
The foundation of your home is essential, and getting a good foundation layer is one of the best tips for building your own home. Not only will a shoddy foundation damage your home’s appraisal and possibly prevent you from getting a license for your home in Arkansas, but it can also cost you thousands in repairs in the long run.
4. Sturdy Carpentry
The carpentry in your home should be considered the bones of the home, and because of this, one of the best tips for building your own home is to have a solid carpenter do the work on your home carefully. Every size of every wood plank counts to create a sturdy home. Enlisting the help of professional architects and carpenters who not only have training in woodwork but have taken professional welding courses as well, can help you build a sturdy home and protect your home against inclement weather in Arkansas, including tornadoes.
5. Good Plumbing and Sewage System
If you want to build a home in a large plot of land away from the city, chances are you’ll have to install your own sewage system and septic tanks. It takes the work of professional sewage installers and plumbers to be able to get this work done, and it can be expensive to move land and install all proper equipment. Some budgeting tips for building your own home are to make sure to budget for septic installation and repair, and ensure that your home will get the proper plumbing it needs.
6. Professional Electrical Work
Like plumbing, electrical work is incredibly essential to be able to get your home functioning properly. One of the best tips for building your own home is to hire an electrician that can properly install electrical outlets, and prevent surges and shorts from happening as well. Problems with the electrical system in your home can lead to house fires, and worst of all electrocutions when you plug in your appliances.
7. Adequate Insulation
Insulation is one of those services that you must get, especially living in Arkansas where it snows as much as 2 to 3 inches in January alone. When insulating your home, some tips for building your own home is choosing from spray-in insulation, fiberglass insulation, and other cheap high-quality options. In addition, your county or city will have an R-Value, or the general thickness, that your insulation must have for it to be considered safe. Insulation can then be covered using drywall services, to make for a home that is toasty in the winter, and cool in those hot southern summers.
8. Professional Roofing
Hiring professional roofers to do expert residential roofing work is one of the best tips for building your own home. When you hire roofers, you can be sure that your roof won’t be subject to cracked tiles, damage from high winds, and inadequate flashing that can lead to leaks. Your roof alone can cost $10,000 to repair, so it’s important to prevent having to do repairs any time soon by getting good roof installations.
9. Sturdy Gutters
Gutters can seem like mundane parts of a home, but all the details count when building your home. Gutter installation is one such detail, as backed up and damaged gutters can prevent your home from being able to get rid of run-off rainwater. When you have gutters installed, you can be able to redirect this rainwater away from your home’s foundation and prevent flooding, water damage, and mold. This is especially important in a place like Arkansas that receives between 40 to 60 inches of rain per year.
10. Properly Sealed Windows
Windows and doors can last up to 20 years when maintained properly. Installing windows in your home is one of those things that can turn your home from a rustic looking home, to a sleek, modern house. Windows and doors should be properly sealed, and provide adequate insulation from the elements while letting in lots of natural lights. More and more homebuyers and becoming interested in bay windows and floor to ceiling windows, so do some research to see which window and doors can add value to your home.
11. Modern Design
The look of older homes is fast dying out, with homebuyers looking to get more modern designs in their homes. One of the best tips for building your own home is to budget for sleek furniture, interior and exterior painting services that can provide bright open colors, and an overall modern design. Keep in mind that this is just to suit the tastes of some homebuyers, but if you want to stick with a rustic design or even go retro with an older-looking home, you can always ask your contractor how to best incorporate your dream features into your home.
12. Modern Appliances
No one wants to live in a home that has old, hard-to-use, outdated appliances. Splurge on your home and on yourself, and invest in appliances that are easy to use and can last you a lifetime. Some appliances to consider are energy-efficient washers and dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, and sleek refrigerators and stovetops. Having modern appliances can not only help you sell your home if you plan to, but also make your time there easier by allowing you the convenience of having these items work in your favor.
13. Open-Floor Plan
Today’s homebuyers love the look of an open floor plan, and for good reason. The lack of walls between kitchens and living and dining rooms makes it so that a house appears more open, breathable, and bigger too. In addition to having an open floor plan, countertops installation on a kitchen island is a hot seller too! A kitchen island, open floors, and bright lighting all help in creating the illusion of a bigger home.
14. Wood Floors
Wood floors are one of the easiest installations you can do, especially if you’re building your own home from scratch. Some of the best tips for building your own home is using wood flooring that lasts long, is durable, and hard to scratch. The advantage of wood floors is their ability to be easily maintained, their ability to last for years, and also the look that they have. Wood floors can also be ethically sourced, such as using bamboo floors that are cheap and scratch-resistant. Whatever flooring you choose, you can be certain that wood floors will give you that desirable modern look that everyone who buys a home goes after.
15. A Garage
A garage might be the simplest, yet most valuable asset to add to your home. A garage can allow you to store valuable assets such as your vehicles, motorcycles, boats, RV’s, and any other transportation vehicles you can think of. Having a garage allows you to have ample storage space in your home itself, and can even turn into a great space to work on projects such as carpentry, painting, beer-making, anything you can think of! It’s important to make sure you get the help of professional garage door repairmen, installers, and have ample security to protect your garage and home from unwanted intruders. A residential garage door opener, for instance, can help open up your garage automatically as opposed to using a traditional lock that can be broken and fail.