When journalists are being prepared for their careers, they’re taught to ask certain key questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? The idea is that if they ferret out the answers to those questions, they’ll have all the information they need for a good, well-balanced story. 

Those same questions are invaluable for anyone considering building a new home. If you’re considering building a new home in the Connecticut area, we’d even go so far as to say these are essential questions to ask before you do anything else. Here’s why. 

WHAT

One of the first questions you need to ask is, “What is a realistic budget?” If you don’t have a good handle on what you can realistically afford, you’re going to have a hard time picking the right home. If you budget too high, you’ll be under constant stress from a mortgage that is too much to handle, and you won’t be able to enjoy your new home. Or worse, you could even end up losing your home if you can’t keep up. If you budget too low, you probably won’t get the home you really want. That means you won’t be satisfied and you’ll probably want to move (which only adds to your expense). Be realistic about what you can afford. 

WHEN

Think about when you want (or need) to move. Building a new home takes some time. You don’t want to rush your research, the planning, and the designing of your home. Construction itself also takes time. Your builder can give you a very accurate estimate of how long construction will take, but it’s not something he can hurry along. Some things just take time. Make sure you have enough time set aside for all parts of the process. 

WHERE

You’ll hear real estate professionals talk about location all the time. Guess what? They’re right! Where you choose to build can be just as important as the house you build. What is the community like? Is it convenient to schools, work, and other important activities? What kind of neighborhood is it? Is there open space? Are there nice views? (We invite you to check out our great new Ridgeview, Bridgewater, and Royal Oaks communities). Don’t shortchange yourself by overlooking the where part of the homebuilding equation. 

WHY

Think about why you’re thinking about building a new home instead of purchasing an existing home. Obviously, you want to create a home that fits your sense of taste and your lifestyle. Think about what’s important for you and your family in a new home. How do you entertain? What rooms will get the most use? Do you want sleeping rooms to be private and on a separate floor? Or are you inclined toward single-level living? How much space will you want/need? Answer those questions before you start looking at floor plans. 

WHO

One of the most important questions you can ask is, “Who will build your new home?” You want a builder with experience and expertise. But you also want someone who will listen to what you need and help you come up with a solution that meets and exceeds your expectations. Sunwood has been building homes for families since 1985, with a singular commitment to quality craftsmanship, construction, materials, and design. We pay attention to the details, and we’re very mindful of your time and our mutual deadlines. And it’s that commitment that allows us to offer an industry-leading two-year warranty on our new homes. 

If you’re serious about building a new home in Connecticut, you probably have lots of questions—and we’d be happy to help you answer them. But make sure that you ask Who, What, When, Where, and Why!