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Chris Esposito's Articles

  • Understanding Real Estate Zoning Before You Buy Your Land to Build Your House as An Owner Builder
    If you want to build your home with a general contractor or as an owner builder, you are almost certainly going to need financing in the form of a construction loan or an owner builder construction loan. So, before you ever commit to that dream plot of land, you better first understand the zoning implications - not just for your county's building permits but also for your owner builder loan terms.
  • Owner Builder Construction Loans Giving Boost to Borrowers' Credit Scores Around the Country
    Owner builder construction loans have found a way to actually increase borrowers' credit scores while they build. This boost during construction is a drastic turnabout from the typical phenomenon of decreased credit ratings for individuals building a home. In a time of falling credit score averages around the nation, this shift from owner builder financing is a welcomed change.
  • The Nine Basic Steps of the Owner Builder Construction Loan
    Owner builder construction gives you the chance to build your own home and earn a lot of instant sweat equity in the process. However, the loan process is more involved and time consuming than a simple purchase or refinance loan. If you are considering being an owner builder, understanding these nine basic steps will make the project financing and planning much smoother.
  • The Four Attributes of a Good Owner Builder - Your Construction Loan and Project Depends on Them
    Owner builder construction can save you 15% to 35% during the construction of your own home by cutting the costs of hiring a general contractor. However, if you don't take the planning and construction seriously, then you could end up losing a lot of money and your dream home. Therefore, you need to have these four attributes to be a successful owner builder.
  • Building a New Home? Should an Owner Builder Buy a Home Kit to Save Money?
    Home kits or material packages can be great tools to help owner builders construct a home, because they bundle the materials together for you and send it as one package. There is a myth, though, that these home kits are always a way to save money. But, an owner builder needs to take the time to break down the numbers.
  • A Common Owner Builder Construction Mistake: Losing Sight of the Big Picture
    People building a custom home, whether acting as an owner builder or hiring a general contractor, often have to be reminded of one simple, vital point: look at the big picture. Owner builders who lose sight of the big picture are the ones who end up using cheap materials, low quality labor, and low quality financing. When this happens, it is the owner builder who loses both time and money.
  • Owner Builders Beware: The Dangers of Construction Cost Estimators
    Cost Estimators are evil. Learn the real truth behind budget estimators, and why they only help owner builders to run out of money, ruin their project, and raise their blood pressure. If you are considering being an owner builder to build your new home, you need to know the real dangers of improper budgeting with cost estimators before it's too late.
  • A Lesson in Time for Owner Builder Loans
    Owner builders need to understand the owner builder loan and planning timeline before they make an offer on the land they want. Do these things in the right order, and you'll be well prepared for success. Owner builders who jump blindly into the process will set themselves up for disaster.
  • Owner Builder Construction Loans: The Secret to Hiring Good Sub-Contractors
    Owner builder construction loans are for people who want to eliminate the costs of hiring a builder for their new home. Owner builders therefore manage the sub-contractors themselves. When hiring a sub-contractor, you will need a detailed contract to cover the specifics of the job. Owner builders should ensure their contracts include these basic items - or risk spending too much time and money.
  • Home Improvements, Family Improvements: The Owner Builder Way
    Are you considering making some improvements to your home? A newly improved home means an upgraded environment for your family. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may want to be an owner builder, overseeing the process yourself and managing the sub-contractors yourself without hiring a general contractor.
  • Building Permits: What Every Owner Builder Needs to Know Immediately
    Your local building department is dedicated to reviewing house plans and issuing permits to build. If you are hiring a general contractor, he or she should be intimately familiar with the local codes and procedures. But, if you are an owner builder, you need to learn all you can from your local permit office as soon as possible. It could change your mind about the land and blueprints you want.
  • How Owner Builders Should Find Land to Build On - The Right Way
    Are you considering building a new home? You'll need to find the right piece of land. But, you probably don't buy land every day. Whether you're hiring a builder, or being an owner builder, finding land is the first step of what may be the biggest purchase of your life. There are many things to consider, and doing it incorrectly will spell disaster for your future home.
  • The Ultimate DIY Project: Owner Builder Construction
    If you enjoy working around the home and doing various DIY projects, then maybe you're ready for the Holy Grail of DIY - building your own home as an owner-builder. By eliminating the costs of a general contractor's overhead, you will save tens of thousands of dollars on your next home. And it's not as labor intensive as you might think.
  • What is an Owner-Builder, Really?
    You've probably already heard the term owner-builder if you've been involved in residential construction in any way. But, there is a lot of misinformation out there about owner-builders. Before deciding if it's right for you, step back a moment and get a firm grasp of what an owner-builder really does.


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