Homebuilding is a growing trend among homeowners in the South, and those northerners looking to move into a more relaxed lifestyle. Building a home that’s customized to your unique tastes and needs is nothing new. The practice has been popular for generations, but more and more homeowners are flocking to the idea of a boutique home that is custom-built for their needs. Tips for moving to the South are a great place to start when seeking a new home in this welcoming region, but homebuilding ideas should also be considered when finalizing your plans.
1. Don’t skimp on the storage space.
Forgetting about storage needs is one of the ultimate failings that homeowners come across as they plan their new home. You will need space to keep towels and sheets near the bedrooms, pots, and pans in the kitchen, and ample space for everything else in a basement, attic, or garage dedicated to efficient storage. Forgetting to include space for belongings that don’t belong out and about is an easy mistake to make. Fortunately, it’s also something you’ll never forget once you’ve noticed the issue. Most new home buyers or builders are moving because they’ve outgrown their old home—with storage space being a primary issue in most rental homes.
2. Remember the air conditioner.
Most homeowners building a new home and need a furnace or heat pump to heat it don’t realize the importance of climate control. Without this, your first time in a southern summer might be a little more than unpleasant as the outdoor temperatures begin to rapidly climb. Your contractor will discuss these needs with you, but taking charge of the heating and cooling needs, including installing a central air system or furnace in your new home, should be at the top of your to-do list as the home begins to come together.
The South has a unique climate that creates scalding summers and frigid winters. This means your heating and cooling system must be prepared to handle dual-purpose work to create a comfortable environment within your new home. Most homes in the region use a central air conditioner unit with ductwork throughout the home to carry the hot or cold air throughout the home. This is the industry standard here, but for a particularly tricky build, or a location that sees heavy snowfall, you might consider additional heating elements to balance the climate within the home better.
3. Keep the exteriors secure.
The southeast is precariously placed when it comes to hurricane season. All the way along the coast from Raleigh and Charleston up to New York City and Maine beyond it, storms have a habit of bringing chaos to homeowners. This is particularly concentrated in states like Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia. Maintaining a high-quality roof and clearing it of debris and broken shingle tiles on a yearly basis is essential to keeping your family protected within the home. Building the home with a sturdy roof and impact resistant windows is the best way to start your journey into this lifestyle off on the right foot. With these modern inclusions, you can rest safely during the volatile months of hurricane season.
4. Utilize your home’s outdoor areas.
This region has unparalleled open air. Anywhere in the area boasts incredible scenery and an unbeatable relaxation factor once you build a patio or introduce garden furniture into your daily living. When you move to this relaxing part of the world, make sure you take advantage of the outdoor space around your new home in order to make the most of the move and improve the overall feel of your home.
5. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Building a home takes serious determination. The average build can take months, or even close to a year, to finalize the plans and construction. During this time, your family may feel a little stir crazy. Waiting for the home to be finished can be a long process, but once you move in, make sure you take full advantage of the space you now have. Whether you’ve settled in Florida—one of the nation’s favorite vacation spots in this temperate climate zone—or in the rural peace of a state like South Carolina, your home has been custom-built for you, so enjoy it!
