Which is Best - Immediate Possession Home or Custom Home?

You’ve decided on building a home, but now you have another choice in front of you. Do you buy the quick possession home (also referred to as a spec home), or do you design one from scratch? Each answer to this question has its own perks. You’ll need to decide which perks are more important to you and your family.

Luckily, we’ve come up with some possibilities for each answer. Take a look at the benefits of both choices and find out what suits you best.

Immediate Possession

An immediate possession home has already been built or is nearly built. Sometimes these are show homes you’ve fallen in love with. Other times your builder listens to what you’d like and shows you a home already under construction.

Immediate Move In

Sometimes life puts us in situations where our move needs to be timely. When that happens, it’s impractical to wait on a new construction. Instead, you will most likely save your time and look only at available spec homes.

However, immediate doesn’t mean you can move in as soon as you decide on a home. There will still be a bit of a waiting period, but it will be much shorter than building a house.

If you have your finances already in order, you can speed up the time even further.

See What You’re Buying

One of the benefits of choosing from available quick possession homes is seeing exactly how the house is laid out. It can be a struggle to visualize a space based off a floor plan and some swatches.

Another bonus is you’ll be able to take measurements. You won’t have to worry whether your couch will actually fit around that corner or not. Measurements for window coverings, appliances, and doors will make it easy to purchase what you need.

Less Stress

If you’re getting a quick possession home, there will also be less to stress about.

The build times on custom homes can vary depending on weather and other events outside of the builder's control. You’ll also have to consider potential changes in building essentials like lumber.

When you’re getting a spec home, these aren’t things you’ll have to worry about. It will already be taken care of.

Still Have Some Say

It’s easy to think that if you’re getting an immediate possession home you won’t have any say in its design. That’s not always the case. Sometimes the house you want still needs some finishing touches, such as the countertops or some landscaping. If it’s not too late in the build process, you’ll be able to speak to your builder about which options you can choose from.

Even if you think it’s too late, make sure to ask your builder because there might be some choices you can still make.

Custom Home

If you have the time to wait on a home, you may choose to purchase a customized home. This will mean it takes a bit longer than an immediate possession home, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Taking the time with having your house built can mean everything is done right the first time.

Ensure You Have Everything You Need

By customizing a home, you get to make all the decisions about the house. This means you start from the ground up. Or, in some cases, below ground and up if you’re getting a basement.

You’ll get to choose the floor plan that works best for you and your family. Another benefit is being able to look toward the future. If you’re planning to expand your family, you can increase the number of rooms.

If this is your retirement home, you can make sure the house is laid out to be usable for the next phase of your life. This could include having the laundry on the main floor and having bathtubs with handles so you can always get out.

Choose Your Neighbourhood

The neighbourhood you live in can be just as important as the house you’re building. A young family with children will want a place close to schools and green space to play in. An older couple may want a quiet neighbourhood where they can sit out on their front porch and relax in the evening.

Another benefit is you will get to choose the amenities you want to be around. If you choose the right neighbourhood, you can cut down your commute.

Make Design Unique

When you’re customizing a home, you’re making it yours. This means you can give the house character. You could even build it around hobbies that are important to you. For example, if you love indoor plants, you can possibly add a sunroom to your home. If puttering around in the garage is your thing, you can ask for a bigger garage.

Your personality can also be reflected in the décor and the colours of your home. If retro-chic is your style, you can choose flooring to match your furniture.

Treat Yourself

It’s easy to get caught up in the budget and absolute needs for a house. By building a custom home, you also have the opportunity to get some of the things you want. Maybe you’re a foodie and love cooking. Get the granite countertops and the double-sized fridge. Book lovers can have a custom bookshelf built into their homes.

This is also the time for you to think about the resale value of your home. If you’re looking for something that will still be popular ten or twenty years down the road, you can make certain style choices right from the beginning.

Whether you’re planning on purchasing an immediate possession home or a custom home, Active Homes can help you out. We build in several different communities in and around Edmonton, and we have several floor plans you can look at.

Call us today to book a consultation. We’ll answer any of your questions and if you choose to build with us, we will walk you through the whole process, ensuring you get the home you’ve always dreamed of.