That's how we did our first house right when we were married.

Bought the lot outright. Used the lot as collateral for a construction loan (3 draws). I designed the home, hired a GC (one that I knew) with a negotiated price, and my wife and I did some minor aspects of the work ourselves. When complete converted to a fixed rate traditional mortgage.

By knowing the design and material specs inside and out and negotiating with a builder we were able to get the construction for less than it would have cost if part of a broader development. Also, by buying the land directly we saved on developer markup for cost of land, infrastructure, proffers, etc. In the end we figured we saved about 10%.
[Post edited by 133743Hokie at 01/05/2017 4:53PM]

In response to this post by vt_mughal

Posted: 01/05/2017 at 4:52PM

Is it cheaper to buy a house than to build one ? -- vt_mughal 01/05/2017 2:35PM

We bought land and built in Arlington -- WuhBuh-DC_Hokie 01/06/2017 09:41AM

Double wide- problem solved -- turkeywinghokie 01/05/2017 5:31PM

Depends on your role -- Baltimore Hokie 01/05/2017 5:21PM

Depends on the local market but if you are your own contractor and you can -- 81_Hokie 01/05/2017 5:05PM

You will learn more about what you want in a house.... -- Freddyburg Hokie 01/05/2017 5:01PM

I am on house #3 at this point so I know what I want. ** -- vt_mughal 01/05/2017 5:11PM

That's how we did our first house right when we were married. -- 133743Hokie 01/05/2017 4:52PM

Construction lender here. A lot of variables in building -- vpidaddymo 01/05/2017 4:35PM

Thanks for the info, hate was to strong a word -- fordham 01/06/2017 09:25AM

Building a house right now. After looking into what we wanted, aka -- riosvt 01/05/2017 4:06PM

There is a huge risk doing what you are asking -- VaTechie 01/05/2017 3:56PM

You definetely want to do some homework on the -- fordham 01/05/2017 4:07PM

Excellent advice on the lien wavers. The builder of my home did not pay all -- 1MetroHokie 01/05/2017 5:05PM

Yea, that is how the law works the landowner is the ultimate -- fordham 01/06/2017 09:19AM

Here's the thing, it can be cheaper to build if... -- JLM-Hokie 01/05/2017 3:48PM

CHECK INTO FINANCING FIRST!!!! banks hate land, so they -- fordham 01/05/2017 3:17PM

Financially...not sure there is a universal rule...might be, might not be. -- vthokieq 01/05/2017 3:06PM

If you want to cap expenses BUY-if you have unlimited time and money build ** -- bigbadbird 01/05/2017 2:55PM

Look into the prefab housing made from structural insulated panels ** -- MEHOKIE 01/05/2017 2:55PM

Depends on what you want put into the home and what you're willing to -- Hokie madman 01/05/2017 2:50PM

At least some of that depends on potential for appreciation -- typed by ben 01/05/2017 2:43PM

I think the same can be said, if not more-so, for buying one. ** -- thankbud 01/05/2017 2:50PM

That's how we did our first house right when we were married.

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