A lakeside dream home getaway is a dream come true for most people who want to own a home in Lake Oconee, GA. Waterfront homes in Lake Oconee are prized possessions and the perfect place to retire or live with your family. However, before you can begin enjoying Lake Oconee and everything it has to offer, you need to know more about designing your dream home from start to finish. 

Building a dream home is both an exhilarating and terrifying experience, so doing it right from the beginning is essential. If you have no idea – or some idea – how to begin building a lake house, we've got you covered.

Our team at PAXISgroup has been building Lake Oconee custom homes for years. We know what it takes to take your dream vision and turn it into a reality. As trusted Lake Oconee builders, you're in good hands, and to prove this, we've detailed how your dream home will be designed from start to end. 

Designing Your Dream Home In Lake Oconee, GA: The Tips From Start To Finish

When considering how to build a house in Georgia, you must consider your preferences and goals. Your home needs to reflect your personality and creativity. It must also be a place to rest, unwind, and enjoy life while you try new hobbies like gardening or finally get around to restoring that vintage project car. 

Of course, it won't hurt if the home is also aesthetically pleasing, comfortably furnished, and adorned with all the necessary features and finishes. But to get to this stage, you need to understand the process. That's why we've shared realistically what you can expect when you embark on your home-building adventure. 

Set A Realistic Budget

We know you don't want to think about putting a budget on your dream home build, but it's a necessary evil. Without a budget, you could risk putting yourself into serious financial distress, especially if you have many ideas that you want your builder to address. 

That's why the first thing you must do is establish how much you are willing to spend and if your budget is flexible. You will want to do this even before you look for a custom home builder in Lake Oconee, like PAXISgroup. 

When establishing your budget, you also need to factor in the cost of land in Lake Oconee, GA, and the cost of labor, including designers, architects, and builders. You'll also need to realize that different materials carry varying costs. So, although you might love the look of granite or marble countertops, they might not be the most affordable based on your budget when you look at the big picture of how much everything will cost. 

In addition, you also need to note that the size of the home you want to build will also impact the cost. For example, building a cottage will not cost as much as building a sprawling ranch-style house. So once you have a ballpark figure nailed down, it might be helpful to reach out to Lake Oconee home builders to determine the costs involved with the type of build you're considering. 

Line Up Financing 

Unless you're fortunate enough to build your dream home by paying cash, you'll need to arrange financing to help bring your dream to life. 

Unfortunately, getting a custom home built in Lake Oconee through traditional financing methods can be tricky since it won't be the same as getting approved for a mortgage on an already-built house. Luckily, some build companies like PAXISgroup assist with financing custom builds through construction loans. 

These loans have become more prevalent in recent years as buyers turn toward designing rather than buying existing properties. These financial loans are short-term. They will cover the costs associated with building your house, including the cost of your lot in some cases. 

Once your home is built, you will apply for a traditional mortgage. Depending on who you receive your construction loan from, it could be converted into a mortgage. If you can't get a construction loan and can source part of the money through other loan types to build your home, try to apply for a land loan. 

Choose The Right Custom Home Builder 

After you have resolved the build's financial aspect, you can search for a custom home builder. This is a vital step that you need to take incredibly seriously, as choosing the right builder can be the deciding factor in how well your home is built and whether it meets your expectations. 

Usually, real estate agents can recommend builders, or you can ask for recommendations online, but it's often best to go with someone who knows the area and can understand your goals. Most people will interview a few Lake Oconee home builders and suss out their communication skills before finding one with whom they are comfortable working. 

However, regardless of who you choose, make sure they can work within your budget – the last thing you want to experience is receiving a final bill for far more than you budgeted. You also need to confirm that they are licensed, how much experience they have, and if they are bonded and insured. Additionally, while deciding if they are a good fit, don't forget to ask about their building timelines, processes, and whether the homes they design align with your tastes. 

Nail Down Site Information 

Before you decided to build in Lake Oconee, you likely asked yourself: is Lake Oconee a good place to live? You probably concluded the answer is a resounding yes. However, building a home in this region in Georgia has its fair share of challenges that only an experienced custom home builder can navigate. 

One of the biggest challenges you'll likely face is surrounding your chosen site. Sites can be shaped oddly or have obstacles that must be cleared before a build can commence. Can your builder help with this? The builder you choose should be able to look at the lot you picked, survey it, identify problem areas, and develop detailed logical solutions that fall within your budget. 

For example, an experienced and skilled builder can tell you if there are challenges with the topography that make specific building aspirations impossible. They should also be able to tell you if the home you plan to build is too big for the lot you bought. Since significant issues can arise surrounding building sites, you might want to speak with a builder before you secure the lot you've found.

Evaluate Your Lifestyle 

Once budgeting, financing, and the site issues are ironed out, you can evaluate your lifestyle. Many people make the mistake of building a home without considering how they currently live or plan to live in the future. 

To be able to design a home you love, you need to make sure it has everything you need to be happy with it. Luckily, evaluating your lifestyle isn't as difficult as you might believe. All you need to do is look at how you function daily and how your life will be made easier. 

For example, if you are an adult close to retiring, you are likely to lead a more sedentary lifestyle and want a home that allows you to age in place. If this is the case, you should speak to your builder about a floor plan that can accommodate easy accessibility to high-traffic areas in the home, like the kitchen and bathroom. 

Then, do you have any pet peeves? For instance, do you hate having a laundry room in the basement? If this is the case, you can plan with your builder to move the laundry to the ground floor, to the master bedroom, or near the kitchen or backyard—wherever is easiest for you. 

Be Imaginative In Your Design Style 

There are no limitations – besides your budget – when it comes to designing your dream home so you can be as imaginative as you want. If you've bought a plot of land in Lake Oconee, you're likely a nature lover who enjoys the outdoors and the amenities the town can offer you as you age. These things that you love can be incorporated into your build. 

For example, does the plot get morning or afternoon sun? This can affect how you position your home. If you love the afternoon sun in the living room, you will build the house to ensure this is something you experience every day. Or do you love the view of the garden or outside scenery? If you spend most of your time in your room or kitchen, you might want to ensure these rooms have a beautiful view. 

So think outside the box, be imaginative in how you want to enjoy your home, and pick or design a floor plan that suits your vision. It's your home – don't be afraid to do what you will with it. 

Make A Wish List 

With a floor plan picked out, you can now begin your 'wish list.' The wish list will include everything you want to do with your home or have within it. This will consist of the basics like how much square footage you want, how many bedrooms there will be, the number of bathrooms, and if you'll have a primary suite. 

However, it will also include the 'luxury' elements or specific lifestyle needs you desire. For example, do you want an outdoor kitchen to host family barbecues during the holidays? Or are you someone who loves movies and would like to have a movie room dedicated solely to this passion? You can speak with your builder about the basics and the luxuries and work together to determine how best to accommodate your needs vs wants with your budget. 

You might notice that some things will need to be removed from the wish list, but as long as you have what really matters on it, you're likely to be satisfied with your build. And let's not forget that later on, you can always add to your home. 

Agree On A Build Timeline 

It's natural to want to get your hands on your dream home as quickly as possible, but there is a process, and you will need to adhere to your builder's timeline. Of course, you can stipulate when you would want the build complete, but you will need to speak with your custom Lake Oconee home builder to determine their timeline and how quickly they can build your home based on your specifications.

There is rarely a proper average timeline since custom homes vary greatly, but you can expect the build to take six to eighteen months. You also need to remember that snags might occur along the way. There may be permitting issues or material sourcing problems that could delay your build. So practice patience—within reason—and communicate with your builder to ensure everyone always remains on the same page. 

Prepare To Move In

The journey from deciding to build your dream home in Lake Oconee, GA, to its completion can feel like a long time, but with the right builders, it's worth it. 

After your home is built and you've gone through the walk-throughs to iron out any kinks, it will be move-in ready! So prepare for the day and ready yourself to savor the feeling of walking through a house you helped design that will make you happy for the rest of your life. 

But don't forget to celebrate and share your new home accomplishment with friends, family, and colleagues as you start the next chapter in your life. 

Speak With PAXISgroup About Building Your Lake Oconee, GA, Dream Home Today!

Designing a dream home in Lake Oconee is a process, as you now know. From start to finish, there are many steps you'll need to take, but the end result is incredibly rewarding. If you're now ready to design and build your dream home in this beautiful region, you can speak with us at PAXISgroup. 

Our team has been making housing dreams a reality for years, and we're ready to work alongside you to explore the home you want to build. Contact us here for a consultation, and let's get things moving.