I bought my first home in the mountains
Good morning my friends,
In this video I want to share my journey of building my first home. I know with Canada's current economic state, buying a home is a big commitment in many ways. It was a massive step for me. Especially since I had always lived in the city and rented rooms with housemates. But, as I grow, I really felt the need to find my own way and focus on the space I need. This is why and how I built my home in the forested mountains of Canada.
FACTORS:
First thing I did was consider a lot of factors when deciding where to build my home, including my introverted and calm personality. I knew I wanted some amount of land around my house and in a quiet area. For most of my school day life, I was very undecided on where and how to live. I thought I wanted to travel a lot, but then realized I get super exhausted doing so. I thought I only needed to rent, but realized the limitations of usable space and potentially being locked into questionable landlords… and so I've heard. And so I decided on needing a home of my own.
I had rented in busy areas before, both for school and while working my first full-time job, but again, I needed a place of my own.
Isolated enough to be my own space but close enough to a major city to meet my needs, along with being within my financial means. And of course, I wanted it to be clean, modern, and with enough customizable options for a personal touch.
I spent countless hours on various real estate listing websites, including DuProprio, Remax, and Kijiji, searching for a house that fit my personality and budget. Again, peaceful and calm, where I could relax and unwind when I need it.
Eventually, I came to the decision that a custom build was the best option for me. I considered three or four different builders and had meetings with two of them. I wanted to make sure that I chose the right one, so I spent some time comparing different options.
In the end, I chose the builder with the most straightforward process. I wanted a clean and modern home, with enough customization to make it feel truly mine. During my initial meetings, we discussed what they were capable of and what their turnaround time was like. I knew that I wanted to move in before the end of 2022, so it was important for me to get an idea of their timeline. They gave me a quote for a custom build with a delivery date of December 2022. I was thrilled with the timeline and felt confident that this was the right choice for me.
THE BANK:
Once I had the quote, the next step was to secure financing. I met with the bank multiple times to discuss how mortgages worked and what my options were. It was a daunting process.
After several meetings, I finally got the go-ahead and was approved for a mortgage. I was thrilled to have secured financing for my dream home. In fact, I remember receiving my letter of approval while I was working a wedding in Mexico. I was so excited that I shared the news with everyone at the wedding, and we all had a wonderful time together!
DECIDING ON THE LOT:
When it came time to decide on a lot, I was taken to the development area by the builder. The drive was beautiful, and in the winter, the snow was like an added icing to the cake of the natural surroundings. I was taken to a long road with a slight elevation, that led up to a dead end court. There were a few options on this street. And after exploring the options, I finally decided on one lot that seemed perfect for my needs. It had everything I was looking for - 1 acre of privacy, not too far from the main road, and a beautiful view.
DECIDING ON THE EXTERIOR MATERIALS:
Once the lot was decided, the next step was to decide on the exterior options for my new home. According to the plans, I had three main types of material to choose from for the exterior - wood paneling, stone, and vinyl. I spent some time looking at different examples of these materials, trying to figure out which one would work best for my needs.
After weighing my options, I finally came up with a few different combinations of exterior materials that I thought could work. However, I had to be mindful of the price as well. It was important to stay within my budget while also ensuring that the design was aesthetically pleasing. Finally, I landed on one combination of exterior materials that I think really fits the environment and will look great in the long run.
As someone who cares deeply about design, I believe that it's important to think about how things will look in the context of their surroundings. That's why I spent a lot of time researching the different materials and their potential impact on the environment. I wanted to make sure that I made an informed decision, one that would ultimately be beneficial to both me and the surrounding area.
DECIDING ON FLOORING/TILES:
After finalizing the exterior of my new custom-built home, I moved onto the next exciting step of the process: deciding on the flooring and shower tiles. With so many options available for the flooring, the decision-making process was not easy, but with the help of the consultant, I was able to make the best choice.
During my consultation, the consultant provided me with a list of questions to consider when selecting the flooring. These questions allowed me to assess the durability, longevity, and overall style of each type of flooring. The options ranged from types of hardwood, vinyl, stone, and even carpet, with each having its own unique benefits.
Ultimately, I decided to go with the same type of vinyl flooring throughout both floors of my home, except for the washroom. I knew that the washroom required ceramic tiles due to the shower and the need for a moisture-resistant surface. Not only did this decision make practical sense, but it also helped create a unique atmosphere in these rooms.
When choosing the flooring and shower tiles, I kept in mind the importance of open space, as advised by organizing consultant Marie Kondo. I wanted to create a living space that felt open, airy, and welcoming. The choice of flooring played a significant role in achieving this goal.
With the flooring and shower tiles finalized, I was one step closer to moving into my dream home. The process was lengthy, but it was worth it to see my vision come to life.
DECIDING ON CABINETS, FAUCETS:
After deciding on the exterior, I moved on to the details of the interior, starting with the kitchen and washroom. I was given numerous options for my cabinets, countertops, and faucets. It was important for me to create a clean and bright vibe in both spaces, knowing that I could always change it later on if needed.
For the kitchen, I opted for white cabinets with silver hidden handles, giving it a sleek look. The white marble countertop was a perfect complement to the cabinets, and it added a luxurious touch to the space. I wanted the kitchen to flow with the rest of the house, so I went with the same design for the washroom downstairs, which is located next to the kitchen.
When it came to the washroom upstairs, I decided to add a bit of contrast by going with black faucets to match the black tiled shower. This decision was made to create a different ambiance in this washroom, separating it from the rest of the house's design.
My uncle and dad were kind enough to help me install the towel and toilet paper holders in the washrooms to match the faucets. Having them pitch in on this project made the experience even more special to me.
As I moved on to the lighting fixtures, I remembered a quote from Marie Kondo, "I like to create open spaces that make me happy." This quote inspired me to choose light fixtures that provided ample light and also complemented the overall aesthetic of the house.
The attention to detail I put into the design of the kitchen and washroom may have seemed insignificant to some, but to me, they were crucial in creating the perfect home for me.
DECIDING ON THE STAIRS:
When it came to deciding on the stairs for my new home, it was a bit of an unexpected journey. After having settled on the type of flooring I wanted, I needed to make sure that the stairs matched the flooring as closely as possible. This led me to a stair company that initially only made hardwood stairs, which was odd considering I was opting for vinyl floors.
Despite this, I went ahead and spoke with the company to see if there were any options available for me. Thankfully, they were very helpful and offered to stain their hardwood stairs to a similar color as my vinyl flooring. This seemed like a great solution at the time, and I was ready to move forward with this option.
However, as I continued to make more decisions about my home, something interesting happened. The builder ended up allowing me to use the same vinyl flooring material for the stairs that I had chosen for the rest of the house. This was a great relief, as it simplified the process and made sure that everything flowed seamlessly.
DECIDING ON THE SECOND LOT:
After making all the necessary selections for my custom build, I encountered an unexpected problem during the lot selection process. I was informed that there would be major delays in the development area where I had initially chosen a lot. This news was disappointing, as one would assume that any potential delays would have been addressed before the lots were put up for sale.
Fortunately, the builder was aware of my strict timeline for moving in and quickly arranged for me to visit several other available lots in nearby areas. After viewing a few different options, I ultimately decided on a little piece of land situated by a small body of water and at the top of a hill. The view from the lot was breathtaking, and I knew it would be the perfect spot for my dream home.
Although my intended delivery date for the house was December 2022, I had to accept a compromise for a February 2023 delivery date due to the change in lot. Despite the delay, I was thrilled with my new lot and grateful for the builder's quick action to find me an alternative.
CONCLUSION:
The process of building my own home was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but ultimately very rewarding. The meetings with the builder and the bank were crucial in getting my plans in motion, and after careful consideration, I was able to choose the perfect lot for my needs.
Going through the process of deciding on exterior options and flooring and shower tiles was no easy task, but with the help of the consultants, I was able to make informed decisions that reflected the atmosphere I wanted in my new home. Similarly, selecting the right faucets, countertops, cabinetry, and light fixtures for my kitchen and washrooms was a daunting task, but I was pleased with the final outcome.
I encountered a small bump in the road when the development area where I initially chose my lot was delayed, but thanks to the flexibility of my builder, I was able to choose an alternate lot that met all my needs. Though I had to compromise on the delivery date, it was worth it in the end.
Finally, in February 2023, I was handed the keys to my first home. The process of designing and building my own home was a learning experience, and I'm proud of what I was able to accomplish. It's been a great place to call home and I look forward to enjoying it for years to come. If you have any suggestions or advice for home building, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Until next time,
Aaron
