16 April 2013

Is new construction in our future?


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New construction.  I mean, this is something I've wanted for a LONG time.  I've seen my friends & family build new houses.  All the while, we'd continue to renovate our good ol' fixer-upper, knowing that our turn would come. Eventually.

Now, I'm happy to say that I've had some experience with the new construction process, and I'm so thankful for that. It has definitely helped prepare me for what hopefully lies ahead for us.  My sister Kacy recently built a new home and I helped her with every. single. step. of the new construction buying & designing process.  I was so happy that she brought me to all her meetings and I even got to go to the designing warehouse with her and pick out cabinets and hardwood floors and counter tops and faucets and.... you get the idea.  SO FUN.  While she was overwhelmed with choices, I happily hopped from one thing to the next.  I think, at one point, she just let me start picking stuff myself because she just didn't care anymore {what bathroom tile color- cream or ivory? Really?} Ha!  But I loved it.

Well folks? It's almost our turn. Almost.

Now part of me doesn't even want to start looking at homes yet.  Our current home isn't even on the market {2 more weeks!} and then we play the waiting game.  You just never know how long it might take for that perfect buyer to come along.  The good news is, it does look like the market is starting to pick up some... I've had two friends recently sell their home in less than a week! Very promising.  But I also see homes sitting on the market for months and months.  Again, you just never know which way it's going to go for you.  And that's why I don't want to really start looking yet.... I don't want to get my hopes up.

But on the other hand? Hopes. Are. Up. There is a NEW HOUSE in sight. I must design ALL the things. 

I just can't help it.

So last week, while we were waiting for Carter to finish up his classroom visit during kindergarten registration, Bob and I couldn't help ourselves.  We drove through the development we've been looking at and fell in love.  We even picked out our lot.  {End of the cul-de-sac and backs up to woods?  Yes please!}  I mean, I highly doubt that will still be available when it's our turn, but you never know.  It's just fun to think about, right?
Seriously... it was on Google Maps like that.  I think we officially must buy the lot now, right?

And should I even admit that I picked out the house I want?  Because I totally did.
How cute is that? We'd want the side garage entrance though {so there would be windows where the current garage doors are and the driveway would swing around to the side.} I'd also consider getting a brick front or even a brick or stone center where the front door is... ya know, if money grew on trees.

Or this elevation.  Bob has a porch on his "must have" list.
And again with the side garage entrance.  Another "must have" for us.

So, um... want to see the floor plan?  Because who doesn't love floor plans? {I'm obsessed.}

First Floor: {with morning room}
The thought of having a study so close to the family room makes my heart happy.  It would totally be used as a playroom.  Totally.  I also LOVE the back staircase.  And do you see how big that laundry room is?  I picture a Pinterest-worthy mudroom complete with a bench and cubbies with hooks for each family member.  Oh, and it has a basement!  Ahhhh.  We don't have a basement now and storage in our house is seriously lacking.  I just can't even wait. {Do you see what happens to me?  I should not be looking! But let's keep going anyway, huh?}

Second Floor:
I mean?  Do you blame me for looking?  That closet.  Double sinks.  A bedroom for each kid. Their own bathroom.  OUR OWN BATHROOM.

I die.

This is new territory for us. Like I said, we currently live in a fixer-upper and we've put so much time, energy & money in to every aspect of the house. The thought of owning a new home that is built to meet the needs of our family {and we can personalize right from the start!} with open floor plans, more storage and more room to entertain and play just sounds like a dream to us!

Also, with the energy efficiency and virtually zero maintenance in new homes, we'd be saving money.  I just used this nifty cost-savings calculator on the BHI Website {which compares the average maintenance and utilities of used and newly built homes} and we'd be saving an average of...
Over $5,500 per year!  Honestly, with our current home?  It's likely WAY more than that.  Sigh.

So, can we please fast forward to when this whole home-selling process is OVER?  Pretty, please?  I just want to move in to my new house now, thankyouverymuch.

See? Hopes. Up.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.


13 comments:

Shana said...

Oh my gosh, that house looks amazing! It has always been a dream of mine to build a house complete with a wrap around porch and a white picket fence.

Unknown said...

I LOVE that floor plan. Amazing. I get my hopes up too. I am currently working to get our house organized and cleaned so we can list it. I hope it sells quickly but we will have to rent for a little bit before we can build because we are not sure where we are going to be moving. :)

Unknown said...

It looks great! we JUST moved into the house we built. The process can be long and stressful (OMG the decisions!) but is totally worth it.

Stephanie Doyle said...

SO exciting, beautiful homes!! :)

Anonymous said...

It's just beautiful, Jenni. I hope all your dreams come true :)

Unknown said...

That lot sounds sooo perfect! I hope its still open for you when your time comes!! :) And love the lay out! I have to be honest and say my hubby and I are planning to start house hunting and putting our house on the market in the next 6 months to a year and I've already been ooing and aahhing over floor plans...And we have much longer of a wait!

Anonymous said...

I would love to buy new construction but the taxes in NJ just kills it for me.

Kiara Buechler said...

We bought and designed our new home a little over three years ago, it was so fun! I get giddy just looking at the floor plans you posted. We have no plans to move, but we love going to tour all the nrw homes going up around us. Best of luck selling your current home, and fingers crossed tbat your dream lot is still available when you are ready to buy.

Jenn said...

Hi Jenni. I absolutely love the new construction floor plans. My hubby and I are looking to stay in the South Jersey area and I was wondering what development these houses are being built in? Best of luck with selling your current house and looking for a new home.

jenni from the blog said...

@ Jenn- Email me and we can discuss!

Fran said...

Hi Jenni -
LOVE the looks of the house that you like so well. Won't it be fun to have something brand new!

I'm going to send you an e-mail from
lgfg91071@aol.com
re: your house plans. Just a couple of things I'd rather point out in an e-mail, and since you don't really know me - I didn't want you to delete without reading.

Love your blog.
Fran

Jenn said...

Jenni, I'd also love to know where you are looking. We are currently in Medford Lakes, but interested in looking at Mullica Hill, Mickelton area when we sell. I am not familiar with the area too well (although we did live in Washington Twp for a few years), but the prices over there are so much better then what we could get over here for the same amount! Crazy.

Unknown said...

After seeing some of the new construction homes in Atlanta GA I'd really like to make my own, maybe the finances will be there one day.

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