Last time we opened the question of whether to build or buy, identifying three distinct characteristics—vision, patience and teamwork—that help to decide the issue. But many factors contribute to making that ultimate decision, and the way you live is one of those. Does your lifestyle support building a new home? Let’s take a look:

Having the right temperament and personality are important components of the “build or buy” equation that helps determine if building a custom home is right for you. Your lifestyle is also a critical factor. How you square with the two major elements listed below should tell you whether your personality and lifestyle are best suited to home ownership.

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1.) TIME
Building a home can be extremely time consuming, especially during the first few months before construction begins. How much time you will need to devote to the whole building process depends on several factors. Ask yourself honestly:

  • Will you be able to dedicate a significant percentage of your free time to the demands of a custom home building project and will you enjoy doing so?
  • Are you available on short notice to meet with the builder to review designs, look at samples, choose materials, and offer other input?
  • Is there any element of your work or personal life that would make you inaccessible for long stretches of time over the next 12 months?

As new Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steve Miller once said: Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future! Is time on your side?

2.) STABILITY
Building a home is a long-term project, usually lasting around a year from start to finish. But many things can change over that time, and big changes can even derail a build. In the next year, do you anticipate any of the following impacting your stability?

  • Getting a new job.
  • Having a child.
  • Health or other personal issues.
  • Losing a source of income.

All changes in life bring uncertainty. The four immediately above create turbulence on a smooth road. If you think life may interrupt your otherwise solid plans in the months ahead, maybe now is not the best of times to start in on a custom build.