McAllen has become a favorite destination for home buyers. From custom-built homes to award-winning home builders, the Rio Grande Valley has seen some remarkable growth in real estate. If you are looking to buy a new home in these parts, it will please you to know there is no dearth of quality homes. But what makes a McAllen house an awesome place to live in? As expert home builders can tell you, buyers often make a decision based on either the appearance of the house or its utilities. But what is more popular – form or function? What is the final factor that McAllen home buyers consider for buying the house?

Before you can answer that satisfactorily, let’s take a look at what is involved in the new home buying process.

1. What does the finished home look like?

When buyers think of a new home, they want it to reflect their refined tastes.  Wall paint, fixtures, flooring, and finishes are the most exciting parts of house building. When you are looking for a new home, you already have an idea.  There are millions of looks to choose from. Plus, if your builder has an in-house architect or interior decorator, you can narrow down on the style.

2. How many rooms do you want?

Depending on the size of your family, you can ask your builder to add or remove rooms from the initial plan. Buyers often convert spare spaces into guest bedrooms. But it’s going to be your house, so you can change it to a nursery or even a study room or whatever you like. As any homeowner will tell you, it is always a good idea to keep it flexible when it comes to space usage.

Also things like future space requirements and the number of years you plan to stick around also matters.

3. What materials you want to include

Whether tempered glass or granite, the surfaces you select come with their own pros and cons. While on one hand, they bring in a wow factor, they affect the upkeep charges on the other. There are a lot of things to consider. For instance, the exquisite marble you’re looking at for your living room – how long is it going to last? How much does it add to your house building costs? Insulation, ventilation, plumbing, screens, decorative lights, wooden door panels, shingles, cabinet shelves, and covered hinges – each small thing must be just so for your dream home to come alive. Plus, there’s the thing about warranties.

4. What is your location?

It is not enough to live in a beautiful house. If you live in the wrong neighborhood, you are missing out on all the action. McAllen home buyers will find that the valley has a lot to offer in terms of location. Expert builders can find you affordable community houses as well as stand-alone residences. New homeowners in the valley often have their houses built in the McAllen – Edinburg – Mission area due to the sheer combination of amenities it offers.

So how does your new lot look? Is it close to the supermarket? How far is the nearest school? How long will it take to commute to work every day in the rush hours? These are the questions buyers normally ask. What you should also ask is how lot pricing works. Usually, there are different types of prices – regular and premium. And it will change according to the lot size and elevation, accessibility, and so on. If it comes with a great view, it will cost you more.

5. What determines the actual cost of the house?

When you are building a house from scratch, you will need a plot of land. Your expenses begin at this point.

From here on, the cost will only rise. There is inspection, assessments, and permits and everything needs money. If you want to tweak the floor plan, you might have to pay more. On the other hand, this payment is meant for the features you really need. If you do not want a spare garage, don’t get it built. Instead, as some home buyers do, turn it onto an additional bedroom.

This apart, your mortgages, existing loans, your savings, and regular expenses are part of this house building process. Luckily, reputed builders connect their clients with reliable financers. You can work out a suitable plan and disburse your payments comfortably. For some buyers, it might mean selling off their existing home or renting it to meet additional expenses. Sometimes, potential buyers who do not have a steady job tend to wait for some time before starting off with a new home.

6. Who is building your house?

As any builder of repute would tell you, selecting the right construction company is the main thing. Selecting a builder based on their existing projects, financial records and past performance pays off in the long run. They work with a vast network of subcontractors and highly-placed resources. Talk to a builder today to find out whether they offer standard plans or are willing to build a custom home for your family. Ask for references and speak to past clients.

Your builder should also give you a tentative date of completion and stick to it. The best thing home buyers can do is work with builders who maintain transparent channels of communication and follow safe, compliant building practices. This saves you both time and money. Lagging behind schedule adds to expenses. And so does bypassing building regulations.

Summing up

So what most McAllen homebuyers do is not decide on a home just by its design. They put a lot of thought into it, considering factors like their needs, aesthetic appeal, budget, and the time they want to spend in that house. It’s more of a balance between the form of a house and its function rather than just its look or just its purpose. If you are looking to buy your own home in the RGV, start reviewing the builders in your area. To maximize the design and build a home that fulfills your needs, get in touch with a home builder near you.