Tis the season for building

Have you considered building but don’t know what it involves or where to begin? I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of builders over the years and it’s been a great experience seeing how each builder offers a different approach. With a lack of inventory on the market, many buyers have decided to build and get what they want. I wanted to feature Baumann Building, who I have had the privilege of working with for years. Baumann does exceptional work in the West Michigan area and has been in the business for 18 years. I asked Mike Baumann how he would describe his company in three words and he said, “community, integrity & relationships”.

Since 1997, Mike & Marci Baumann having been building premier homes in West Michigan. And because they have chosen to keep their company small over the years, they are able to provide one-on-one attention to you throughout the building process. Whether constructing a new dream home or breathing life into an existing home, the Baumann team personally guides each homeowner through the building process to ensure expectations are met as affordably and enjoyably as possible. (Exert from Baumann Building website)

Mike and I had the opportunity to sit down and discuss some of the common questions customers have when it comes to building. (See Below)

* What do you see happening to building costs right now?

Some of the building costs are going up while others are staying steady. For example, the price of concrete has increased which will create a change to the build cost. However, prices have not gone up as much as they had last year.

* What is the percentage of building increase over the past few years?

There has been a 10% increase the past two years and a 5% increase this year. The greatest increase that you will see is in lot prices. They have increased as much as 50%.

* Where do you see people spending extra money when building?

The kitchen & master suites are the two rooms that people spend the most on. They are usually upgrading cabinets, changing countertops to granite & upgrading their appliances.

* Where is new construction increasing & decreasing in Ottawa County?

The most construction is occurring in Hudsonville & Zeeland. Construction is starting to decrease on the North side of Holland. There are not a lot of quality lots available for purchase like there used to be.

* How long does the building process take from the day a party decides to build to when they can move in (this includes closing time if they’re getting financing)?

It will take between 7-8 months to close.

* If a customer was considering building, what is the best thing they can do to expedite the process?

It helps a lot if they have a lot to build on and have been pre-approved for a loan.

If you are considering building or exploring Baumann Building for your next home, just let me know, I am happy to tell you all about them. You can also visit their website at: www.BaumannBuilding.com