The Process of Building a Custom Home

The hardest part about choosing an investment property is budgeting. Whether it needs a TON of work, or just a moderate amount, the ability to plan ahead and stick to a plan is CRUCIAL in building your dream home.

Without budgeting, without planning, and forecasting, building your dream custom home would really come down to the ‘Luck of the Draw’.

When you have been a small business owner for 25 years, you understand that forecasting financial expenses is a necessity. Even MORE so when you manage a small company, work part time AND manage a household.

But nothing is impossible, if you know how to manage expenses on the computer. 25 years ago, I don’t know how people would have done this, but now things are easier. Being able to seamlessly use Google Sheets, or Microsoft Excel Online is a dream come true. But not everything is as simple as a simple list of expenses.

But it’s only through Teamwork- working with some great contractors, and being able to rely on other people. It’s a tough process, but I have some tricks up my sleeve, and I’d love to tell you more.. but I don’t want to share ALL my secrets.

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Being able to look at a property and imagine a BETTER way to do things is important. The creative process is an amazing journey. Most people have some interesting ways to trick people into spending more than they want to.

One of my friends has this theory that if you want to sell a house QUICKLY you should paint it Yellow. I don’t know about the logic on that.

But I know that many people tackle home improvement projects, and then they find out that they can’t complete the job. Maybe they run out of time, energy and money. Maybe they run out of all 3! But being able to look at a garage that is unfinished and to imagine a new Living Room, there is a certain magic to having a creative eye.

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This is part of my ‘Recipe for Success’. Many online tools, a lot of ‘pounding the pavement’, dealing with city and county government, and a large amount of patience and persistence do sift through these sources and make a solid, scientific decision. Here are some of the tools that we use to find properties.

We can help~!

Top 10 Sources for Finding Properties

1. Realtor.com – Pullman, WA listings (Whitman County)

Broad, well-known aggregator: lets you browse by city or county (Pullman is featured). Good filter base.

2. Realtor.com – Moscow, ID listings (Latah County)

Same as above but for the Idaho side of the Pullman/Moscow region.

3. Zillow – Pullman, WA listings

Another major aggregator. Good for building alerts / scraping updates

4. Zillow – Clarkston, WA listings (Asotin County)

Covers the Lewiston/Clarkston market

5. Realtor.com – Clarkston, WA listings

Alternate aggregator for the same region—useful for cross-checking.

6. Land.com – Land/Acreage in Whitman County, WA

If you’re interested in land, acreage or rural/ranch type properties in the region this is more specialized.

7. Movoto – Whitman County, WA listings (house‐scale)

Yet another aggregator; adds diversity for your data feed and might pick up listings missed elsewhere.

8. Local brokerage – Beasley Realty (Pullman/Moscow area)

A brokerage focused on the Pullman/Moscow area. Good source for hyper-local listings and possibly off-market or early listings.

9. Local brokerage – Silvercreek Realty (Lewiston/Clarkston region)

Covers Lewiston‐Clarkston valley. Good for capturing that side of the market.

10. Classifieds/FSBO – Craigslist Pullman-Moscow region real estate section
craigslist

Often lower-profile listings (FSBO, land, small parcels) that may not appear in the major MLS or aggregator feeds. Great for finding “hidden gems.”

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When starting the Financial Planning Steps involved with building a Custom Home, frequently it takes extra time and effort to be able to see the bottom line. Understanding the financial implications is crucial for a successful project. This involves not only the initial costs but also the ongoing expenses that will come during and after the building process. As a potential homeowner, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with various financial planning strategies, which will be outlined in the following sections.

Being able to research, analyze, and understand the financial details is a process that often requires a lot of time and a lot of teamwork. My knowledge and experience working as a real estate agent has shown me the importance of understanding these parts. Collaborating with financial advisors, builders, and fellow homeowners can provide valuable insights. It’s beneficial to gather diverse perspectives to ensure all aspects of financial planning are covered, which includes budgeting, financing options, and long-term financial health.

Short Term Costs: These are costs you will encounter immediately during the building phase. This can include permits, materials, and labor costs that contribute to the early stages of the project.

Unexpected Costs: Always factor in the possibility of unexpected expenses that may arise during construction. This could range from design changes to unforeseen site conditions, and having a contingency fund is vital for addressing these issues.

Long Term Expenses: Once your home is built, you will face ongoing costs such as property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utilities. Thorough financial planning should account for these long-term expenses to avoid financial strain in the future.

In conclusion, thorough financial planning is essential when building a custom home. Ensuring you have a well-structured budget and considering all potential costs will lead to a smoother building experience and a more satisfying outcome. Consult with professionals, stay informed, and be prepared for both expected and unexpected financial responsibilities.

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