Building a custom home is a dream for many individuals and families, but choosing the right time to embark on this journey is imperative to lowering your stress level, enjoying the process, and meeting your financial and lifestyle goals. Take a look at the various factors outlined in this blog to help you determine the best time to build a customized home, including economic conditions, weather patterns, and personal circumstances.

Is Now a Good Time to Build a Customized Home? Consider Your Financial Stability

The main factor in deciding whether now is a good time to build a house is to know if you can afford it. Are you financially stable? Building a customized home is a significant, long-term investment, so it’s crucial to work with your financial advisor and mortgage broker to assess your financial situation and get real numbers on the page that are attainable, before meeting with builders.

Consider your job stability, interest rates, and overall economic conditions. If it makes sense, opt for a period when mortgage interest rates and the price of raw materials are reasonable. If mortgage rates and economic factors are in flux, that’s okay too, just go into the project with knowledge and a financial plan.

Is There a Best Time of Year to Build a House?

That Depends on Your Region: In the St. Louis Area, if You Want to Move in the Spring or Summer, Start the Process in the Winter Months

Weather plays a critical role in the home construction process. While construction can happen throughout the year, certain seasons may be more favorable than others. In some parts of the country, summer and early fall are often popular due to the dry weather, allowing for faster construction progress. In Missouri, we experience a variety of weather conditions throughout the year. Summers are hot and humid, and while winters typically bring colder temperatures, they tend to be mild.

Here are some weather and timing factors to keep in mind:

• • Spring and summer home builds are typically ready by the winter holiday season, which for some, can be stressful and inconvenient.
  • In much of the country, builders tend to be less busy in the cooler months, allowing for more one-on-one time and possibly faster completion, depending on conditions, labor, and materials availability.
  • In the St. Louis, Missouri, region you can start planning and building during the winter for a late spring or early summer move-in date when your calendar is more flexible.
  • Often, lenders, title companies, realtors, and suppliers are less busy in the cooler months, potentially providing better service.
  • If our CMS Homes team in Troy, MO, begins to build in late February, for example, depending on the weather, much of the exterior work can start and finish before the rainy spring months. Then the interior finishes can be completed, and your home can be ready for a convenient summer move-in date.

At CMS Homes, we build all year. We have been building customized homes for decades, so we know how to work with the weather while keeping our people safe and our new construction homes in top condition.

Other Factors to Consider When Calculating the Best Time to Build a Home

Contractors and Materials Availability

Permitting

To determine when to build a house, it helps to research local building codes, zoning regulations, and permit requirements. Knowing the regulatory landscape can help you plan accordingly and avoid delays. However, if you build with a reputable home building company in a planned community, all regulatory concerns and permitting are part of the process. You won’t have to worry about any of it! Simply keep in mind that permitting and inspections can add to the timeline as the project unfolds.

Personal Circumstances

Your circumstances also play a role in determining the best time to build. Consider your workday flexibility, family size, school schedules, and personal commitments. Choosing a time with minimal disruptions will make the home-building process more manageable.

Market Conditions

Real estate and housing market conditions can impact when you build a home. While predicting market trends with certainty is impossible, being aware of general patterns can help you make informed choices. Building during a buyer’s market might offer cost advantages while building during a seller’s market could increase the value of your investment.

In our area — a 50-mile radius of Troy, MO — the housing market is strong. More people are building customized homes because they can’t find move-in ready homes that give them exactly what they want at a price that fits their budget. CMS Homes communities are in a growing market!

To Learn if Now is the Best Time for You to Build a Customized Home, Contact Us Today

Building a custom home is a major life decision, and timing is a key factor in ensuring a smooth and successful construction process. By carefully considering your financial stability, seasonal factors, contractor availability, regulatory requirements, personal circumstances, and market conditions, you can identify the optimal time to turn your dream home into a reality.

Not sure if it’s the right time to build? CMS Homes is here to help. When you contact our sales team for a no-obligation conversation, we can help you determine if you’re ready and work through the process with you to eliminate the overwhelm.