Buying a new home is an exciting process, but it can be difficult to find a place that ticks all of your boxes without compromising. The solution? Designing your dream home from scratch.

Some people may be wary of the preconception that the build will take too long and be too complicated for them to undertake, but if you find yourself the right builder to walk you through the journey, the whole process can be as simple as one, two, three (four, five).

Believe it or not, it can even be enjoyable.

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Let us clarify the process and give you a five-step rundown to building the home of your dreams.

Step 1 – Location, location, location

Perhaps the biggest draw to building your home from scratch is the freedom you have to choose exactly where it will be. Maybe you want that killer view out over the lake, or to be within close proximity to the area's best school for your children. You can have it all. Take Kelowna’s Sunset Ranch for example: with stunning views of the lake and mountains, a golf course on the doorstep and a close proximity to downtown Kelowna, it’s a highly desirable location for people to build their dream homes.

Once you’ve found the perfect lot, it’s time to speak to the sales team. In most cases, they’ll have a show home already built to give you a general idea of how your home might look. From the basic template of the house, the sales team will discuss further options and give you all the necessary information you need to get financing from your bank.

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Step 2 – Getting the ball rolling with your builder

When you take the plunge to go ahead and have had your finance agreement approved, it’s time to meet your builder for a pre-construction meeting. With all good building firms, like Acorn Homes, the firm masterminding Sunset Ranch, your builder will be guiding you through the process from this point until your home is completed. At this early stage, you’ll review the plans for your build from a construction viewpoint.

Once everything from the layout, dimensions and budgets have been finalized, your builder will apply for a building permit for your home.

Step 3 – Choosing your fixtures

Now, a building permit can take one to two months to be granted, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to be done at this stage. Quite the opposite actually, this is when the fun really begins! Most firms use this period to let you shop for your fixtures. Everything from cabinets, flooring and lighting fixtures can be picked out using the pre-determined budget. It's time to unleash your inner interior designer!

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Alternatively, if you prefer a more hands-off approach, you can leave the fixture decisions to your building team. That’s the great thing about building your own home: the freedom. You can be as involved as you want to be and build a highly customized home, or take a back seat and request a replica of the show home.

Step 4 – Building commences

Once the build is underway, you’ll be in constant contact with your builder to stay in the loop.

In an ideal world, the building process is free of any hitches, problems or delays, but let’s face it, that’s rarely going to be the case. However, you won’t be expected to deal with any problems alone. Your builder will be there to help you navigate around any potential hiccups. It’s really not as stressful as you might think.

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When the framing has been completed in the house, it’s time for the framing walkthrough. Along with your builder and an electrician, you’ll walk through the entire house so that you can decide where things such as light fixtures, outlets and switches will go.

When the drywall has been completed, it’s time for your second walkthrough. This is an exciting walkthrough because now you can see what the finished home will be.

From this point, it’s usually only two months until the build is complete.

Step 5 – The day you’ve been waiting for!

It’s moving in day! Time to move into the home you’ve always dreamed of. See, that wasn’t so stressful, was it? And if you chose your lot in a place like Sunset Ranch, it’s time to enjoy the perks of your location.

This community is ideal for couples, families, singles – really everyone. It is far enough away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy the serenity and stunning views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding mountains, and close enough to be within a short driving distance to all of the action. From dirt to dream home, Sunset Ranch is the perfect location to start your new build.

Acorn Homes presents 'The Homes at Sunset Ranch.' As a master planned, gated community nestled in the hills surrounding Sunset Ranch Golf Course, with spectacular views of Okanagan Lake, Duck Lake, the golf course, city, valley, and mountains, you may have found just what you’re looking for.

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