Should You Build or Buy Your Crested Butte Dream Home?

Build or Buy Your Crested Butte Home – This is a common question and a good one. Of course, the answer is “it depends.” Mostly, it depends on you. I have owned two second homes, and between that time I bought and sold two lots that I thought I wanted to build my dream home on.

Have you been waiting for twenty years to build your dream home in the mountains? You may have your plans locked away in a special trunk and the key has been sealed in a mayonnaise jar waiting for just the right time.

Some buyers do not want to buy someone else’s poor home design, a deteriorating home, or a home with unforeseen expensive problems. Similarly, others do not want to wait two years to move into their new mountain home. They would rather find an existing home and move right in, or remodel it over time to fit their needs.

To build your dream home, you will need to find a dream lot, and a dream architect and a dream builder.

Building Your Crested Butte Home

It can be fun and rewarding to build your dream home in the mountains, especially if you have worked and planned for years to arrive at this point. To build your dream home, you will need to find a dream lot, and a dream architect and a dream builder. Luckily, you have a dream real estate agent that can help with this.

Unless you have a very large sum of money and money is no object, the first thing you might want to do is talk with some local architects to get an understanding from their perspective what the overall costs will be to design, build and furnish your dream home.

Estimates for new construction vary but expect $400+ per square foot and 18-24 months to build your Crested Butte Dream Home.

Based on your criteria, an architect may also have input on the area, and can help determine which lot would be less expensive to build on. Flat lots are typically less expensive; lots on a slope require more foundation and expensive concrete, but can provide some nice views, and walkout basement options.

Buying Your Crested Butte Home

There are many homes available in every market at various price points and with lots of amenities. Some are brand new, some are only a few years old, and some may literally be more than 100 years old. There are many homes that offer the opportunity to buy and remodel to bring them up to current desirable standards and finishes. I have seen nice older homes (built in the late 1980s) that many buyers passed on because they did not want to buy into a project. There was nothing wrong with these homes; they were state of the art twenty-five years ago and still very functional. However, most had smaller living areas, and the materials, appliances and finishes were outdated.

Sometimes I see buyers initially pass on one of these homes, and then they come back after exhausting the market and decide the remodel is their best choice. They see the remodel as a great opportunity to buy a home at a reduced price in a great location. They can also make updates and add to the home to meet their style and tastes in finishes and décor. In these cases, I typically introduce an architect and builder to my clients to discuss options, costs, timelines, etc.

Build or Buy Your Crested Butte Home Final Thoughts

I hope you see the level of detail and time and effort I put into this candid article Build or Buy Your Crested Butte Home.  I have become a Top Real Estate Agent in Crested Butte by helping my clients to make informed decisions. Some decisions are not always easy.

This is representative of what you can expect from me as your agent.

If you would like to know my recommended local Architects and Contractors – Call me to discuss your specific home.

Thanks,
Chris.

How can I help you?

I have over 30 years of sales and marketing experience and am a top real estate agent in the mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado representing affluent clients who are buying and selling their homes and properties. To see featured properties or search the MLS – visit chriskopf.com.

How is the Crested Butte Market doing?  Click this link to see my monthly Crested Butte Real Estate Market Reports.

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Chris Kopf
Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty
(970) 209-5405, or chriskopf@bighornrealty.com